In December 2005, California petitioned EPA to allow the state to develop its own vehicle emissions regulations. Since then, EPA has obstinately refused to decide either way. Only recently did Administrator Stephen Johnson set a timetable, promising action by the end of the year. In April, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote to Johnson threatening to sue EPA if a decision was not made by October. But California Senator Barbara Boxer is attempting to force the issue even sooner. A bill proposed by Boxer would require EPA to decide on the petition within 30 days of the bill being signed into law. Boxer's bill would also prevent delay from occurring in the future. The bill would give EPA a 180 day window to decide on future requests. Six months still seems like a long time, but when compared to the two-year saga California's current request has been subject to, it's pretty good policy.