Oregon Public Broadcasting

Wednesday, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski joined a major lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The lawsuit was filed by 16 states including Washington, Oregon, and California. In a written statement, Kulongoski said the federal government has refused to act on global warming. Ethan Lindsey reports.

In December, the EPA rejected a request by the states that wanted to enact stricter tailpipe controls.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said separate state rules were too confusing.

Stephen Johnson: “The Bush Administration is moving forward with a clear national solution not a confusing patchwork of state rules.”

The same day the EPA snubbed the states, President Bush agreed to increase the fuel efficiency on most cars.

But the federal laws remain less strict than what Oregon and the other states wanted.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire promised to sue.

At the time of the EPA decision last month, Governor Kulongoski didn't commit the state to a lawsuit.

But now, Kulongoski has signed on, saying the state will use “every legal means” to fight the decision.