WASHINGTON -- The battle between Michigan and California continues today when they square off at a hearing over a request by the Golden State to force stricter emissions requirements on automakers than the new federal standards signed into law last month.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox will appear at the congressional hearing opposite a slew of advocates supporting the request of California and 15 other states to impose their own strict limits on vehicle tailpipe emissions, which was denied by the Environmental Protection Agency in December.

The regulation to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2016 would require automakers to average 43.7 mpg for passenger cars and small SUVs.

The hearing has gained increased notice since Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, obtained copies of an internal EPA PowerPoint presentation that was prepared for EPA chief Stephen L. Johnson. It reportedly shows that he ignored his staff's recommendation to grant a waiver under the Clean Air Act.

"His decision was not supported by the facts, by the law, by the science, or by precedent. It will not stand," Boxer said, adding that she plans to introduce a bill to overturn the decision.

Johnson will stand by his decision in his testimony, said Jonathan Shrader, an EPA spokesman.

"While today's antics get headlines, playing politics does nothing to protect the environment," Shrader said. "The EPA remains committed to getting environmental results."

Cox won't have many allies when he testifies. The governors of Vermont, Pennsylvania and Maryland -- all states that have adopted but not implemented the rules -- will testify alongside Cox.

Rusty Hills, a spokesman for Cox, said the attorney general will emphasize that individual state regulations are not the answer to reducing greenhouse gases.

"Problems related to greenhouse gas emissions are not unique to California, the impacts from greenhouse gases will not be addressed by separate state regulation, and this regulation imposes significant costs on other states," Hills said.

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