At least when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions from cars. Oregon resident Watthead alerts us that Oregon governmor Ted Kulongoski has ordered the state's Department of Environmental Quality to create a local version of the California regulations on vehicular GHG. Popular sentiment in the state supports the governor on this, although automakers and the opposition party in the legislature are pledging to fight. If Oregon is successful in adopting these rules, they will join not just California but also New York and Vermont; New Mexico, Arizona, and most Northeastern states have also declared a desire to join in on the fun.

Oregon's decision affects more than just itself -- the state of Washington pledged to adopt the California rules, but only if Oregon does it, too.

(If Oregon does this, I may forgive them for charging hybrid cars double the normal vehicle registration fee.)