This is an informative story that provides some background to the ongoing EPA ruling regarding the request by CA and 14 other states to require tougher air quality standards known as a waiver. Balanced was achieved with quotes from anonymous EPA officials who made disparaging remarks on the former EPA employee who testified that the White House directly influenced the EPA to reject California's request for stricter standards. CA has received 50 waivers in the past and this was the first time a waiver has been rejected. The EPA was originally saying no to the waiver because greenhouse gases could not be regulated as a pollutant then the Supreme Court said they had the right to regulate. Then the EPA said there was no compelling evidence to justify the waiver. I live in Southern CA where we have 5,400 premature deaths a year from air pollution, 140,000 children have air pollution induced asthma and respiratory problems, there are thousands of lost work days from air pollution related illnesses which are compelling factors. This is another example of corporate profits taking precedence over human health and the environment. Link to AQMD numbers on air quality problem in S. CA http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2007/bs5_04_2007.html