George W. Bush's Environmental Protection Agency has denied California the right to enact its own greenhouse gas emissions regulations for automobiles.

In a statement released Wednesday, EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson said: "The Bush administration is moving forward with a clear national solution -- not a confusing patchwork of state rules -- to reduce America's climate footprint from vehicles."

Even for an administration that will go down in history as one of the greatest propagators of unmitigated balderdash ever inflicted on the American people, or the world, Johnson's excuse should receive a special award.

There would be no "confusing patchwork of state rules" as a result of California's greenhouse gas emissions law. As reported here last week, California is the only state permitted to make its own regulations for automobile emissions. Every other state in the union then has a simple choice: copy California's rules or abide by federal regulations. A dozen or more states have already signaled their intention to follow California's lead.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has threatened to sue the EPA if denied. The world booed the United States at Bali, but it will cheer him on all the way to the Supreme Court.

UPDATE: David Roberts at Grist has much, much more.