California urges EPA to approve greenhouse gas emissions waiver

WASHINGTON (AP) - Backed by numerous environmental groups and about a dozen other states, California officials demanded federal permission Tuesday to impose their own greenhouse gas emission controls on cars and other vehicles.

The only voice of opposition at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing came from an auto industry lobbyist who deemed California's approach "counterproductive" and said there was no proof it would help deal with global warming.

"This is more important than any issue that EPA's going to have to face," California Attorney General Jerry Brown told regulators who will recommend whether to give...