With the legacy of the Bush Presidency finally entering ebb tide, environmental groups are scrambling to undo what they see as years of damage done by an oppressive and politically-motivated administration. Just a day into the term of President Obama, California has asked the EPA to re-examine a waiver that would have allowed the state to set its own limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars.

Then EPA chief Stephen Johnson denied the waiver, presented initially by California and later taken up by 12 other states, on the grounds that it would create "a confusing patchwork of state rules." However, California, along with many environmental groups and other concerned parties, smelled a rat—especially in the light of the administration's close ties to the oil industry.

Though the outgoing administration did slip through a few last minute changes—striking the Gray Wolf off the endangered list in the Great Lakes states—the new President has ordered all Bush regulations to be stopped pending review. Among these is a measure that may have significant impact determining whether or not carbon emissions impacts are considered in the construction of new coal plants.

With so much on their plate, it will be interesting to see how quickly new EPA administrator Lisa Jackson and the rest of the Obama administration can sift through these rules and make changes.