LOS ANGELES, June 14 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, joined by governors from five other states, on Thursday urged Congressional leaders to develop a strong, smart and comprehensive federal climate change policy.

    "As an urgent starting point, the governors urge Congress to demand that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issue California's long-standing request for a waiver to move forward with its clean tailpipe standards," the governors said in a letter to Congress.

    The six states include Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington, which have developed and are implementing economically sound policies and plans to address climate change over the past several years.

    They have formed important regional policy agreements, such as the Western Climate Initiative, the Southwest Climate Initiative and the West Coast Governors' Climate Change Initiative. In addition, many cities have set targets for emission reductions.

    "Our experience has shown that the goals established through these efforts are consistent with climate stabilization needs and can be achieved through actions that not only reduce green house emissions, but also generate billions of U.S. dollars in net economic savings, expand markets, create new jobs, reduce energy dependence, and provide many other benefits," the letter said.

    "Now is the time to learn from this success as we construct federal laws and policies that effectively reduce emissions and establish U.S. leadership on climate change policy."

    California has pressed ahead with its clean tailpipe standards, but the EPA refuses to grant the state a waiver to set its own emissions standards, arguing that only the federal government can do that.

    Eleven states have adopted California's clean cars regulations, with six more expected to follow suit shortly. Collectively, this represents over 40 percent of the U.S. automobile market and over 45 percent of its population.

    "This waiver is essential for states to move forward with implementation," said the letter, adding that there is no justification for EPA to continue to withhold issuance of the waiver.

    "We urge Congress to set strong short and long term national goals to avoid catastrophic climate disruption," it said.

    The letter welcomed new bills proposed by members of both parties to reduce national green house gas emissions and offer assistance with development of future climate change legislation, based on the following key needs:

    -- To lessen the impacts of global warming by taking immediate action to reduce gas emissions by 70-80 percent by 2050. This goal translates into a reduction by one third of projected U.S. emissions levels by 2020. Twenty states, representing 150 million Americans, have developed or are developing gas emissions reduction goals consistent with these needs;

    -- To develop a comprehensive, market-based approach to climate policy, which covers all economic sectors and use a variety of implementation mechanisms, such as those in recent state climate action plans;

    -- Congress must act quickly to encourage efficient approaches to growth and avoid lasting decisions that result in high and irreversible levels of gas emissions;

    -- Support State Programs and Leadership. Federal legislation should build upon the efforts of the states and provide flexibility for states to take more aggressive action on global warming to account for differing economic and environmental needs.

    "We urge you to work with us to develop strong, smart and comprehensive federal climate change policy that incorporates effective roles for state and local governments," the letter concluded.