When California files suit next week to force stricter air quality standards on automakers, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will be onboard.

The Valley is one of the nation's dirtiest air basins, and air district officials believe tighter regulation of vehicle engines will help their cleanup campaign. The district will be among the plaintiffs, officials said.

California wants better controls on cars, pickups and sport utility vehicles so they emit less greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which contributed to global warming.

Officials have waited 22 months for EPA to decide whether California can enforce its greenhouse gas law during the model year 2009. EPA must give the state a waiver because the law goes beyond federal rules.

In federal court in Fresno, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, which represents Honda, Nissan, Toyota and 11 other foreign automakers, is fighting the new law.