How Long Will EPA Take?

Now it's just a waiting game. The EPA has held a hearing on California's request to grant a waiver allowing it to institute rules much tougher than EPA's on auto emissions, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases. (See, e.g., "Battle Heats Up Over Emissions" in the Post.)

Now the question is whether EPA will simply sit on the decision until the Bush administration ends, essentially running out the clock. We hope not, but fear so.