( CNN ) -- California Gov . Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sue the federal government over its decision not to allow a California plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions , he announced Thursday . California Gov . Arnold Schwarzenegger says the state will sue the federal government . Environmental Protection Agency chief Stephen Johnson announced the decision Wednesday , refusing the state 's request for a waiver that would have allowed it to cut emissions faster than a new federal plan the president signed into law Wednesday . `` It 's another example of the administration 's failure to treat global warming with the seriousness that it actually demands , '' the governor said at a news conference Thursday . Bush on Thursday defended the decision of his EPA administrator . `` Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases ? Or is it more effective to have a national strategy ? '' he said . Citing the new energy law -- which sets a fuel economy standard for the whole country -- Bush said Johnson `` made a decision based upon the fact that we passed a piece of legislation that enables us to have a national strategy . '' But Schwarzenegger said he would like to set a higher standard for California . `` Anything less than aggressive action on the greatest environmental threat of all time is inexcusable , '' he said . Watch Schwarzenegger slam the Bush administration for denying California the waiver » . The new federal law will increase fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent by 2020 , requiring automakers to bring their fleets to an average of 35 miles per gallon . The California plan , however , would cut emissions by nearly 30 percent by 2016 , raising fuel efficiency standards in the state to 43.7 miles per gallon for passenger cars and some SUVs and trucks , while larger vehicles would need to reach 26.9 mpg by that year . In all , 16 states had either adopted California 's tough standards or announced plans to do so . A top aide to Schwarzenegger said the governor has been frustrated with the White House over emissions standards , and was very exasperated after a February meeting with Johnson . EPA officials say they went the extra mile with Schwarzenegger , even taking the unusual step of holding a second hearing in California on emissions . They say they 're sorry he 's upset , but they believe a national standard on emissions is going to be more effective . A White House official would only react to Schwarzenegger 's frustration by saying the administration `` looks forward to working with him on a variety of issues . '' In the ebb-and-flow relationship between Schwarzenegger and Bush , sources close to the governor say this is a low point . `` It 's never been a warm , throw-your-arms-around-the-shoulders kind of relationship , '' said former Schwarzenegger adviser Joel Fox . `` Even during the re-election campaign for the president , he would come to California and the governor would n't always be there to greet him . '' Fox said Schwarzenegger and Bush have cooperated on issues like immigration , but the two have differed on several issues , including stem cell research funding , the expansion of the State Children 's Health Insurance Program and climate change . `` He 's got a pretty strong personality , the governor has , and wants to get things done . If the federal government is one of those obstacles , then he 'll run that tank he has over it . It 's not particularly anything personal , I think . '' Schwarzenegger is much closer -- personally and politically -- to the president 's father , former President George H.W . Bush , another aide said . E-mail to a friend . From CNN 's Brian Todd and Dugald McConnell .
California governor upset about feds ' rejection of state greenhouse gas plan . Governor denies state waiver that would have allowed it to reduce emissions faster . Governor : California 's plan is more effective and quicker than feds ' plan . Schwarzenegger : Obama administration not taking global warming seriously .