U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) has only been chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for one day, but the GOP leadership is wasting little time drawing battle lines on an issue close to the veteran congressman's heart.

House Republican Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) sent Waxman a letter Friday asking the incoming chairman to stop supporting legislation that would allow California to impose the strictest fuel-efficiency standards in the country.

"This regulatory assault would come at a time when our struggling auto industry can least afford it," Boehner wrote, according to Politico. "With millions of jobs at stake and tens of billions of taxpayer dollars at stake, I am respectfully requesting your assurance that you will not use your new post to move this legislation through Congress."

The legislation is tied up in courts, but Golden State environmentalists are hoping Waxman will use his new post to resolve the issue in their favor.

ELSEWHERE on PolitickerCA.com:

• California environmentalists celebrate Waxman's victory
• Waxman 'honored' to become chair of Energy and Commerce Committee
  
• Waxman wins gavel fight with Dingell for control of House Energy Committee
• Waxman awaits vote on House Energy and Finance Committee chair