Last month's arson fire at a SUV dealership in the San Gabriel Valley has revved up some federal lawmakers, who said Congress should take action to stop the radical environmental groups claiming responsibility for the attacks.At the same time, politicians who have been trying to boost gas mileage rules said vandals behind the multimillion-dollar dealership attacks in West Covina and Duarte last month might have severely set back the environmental agenda in Washington."They are doing tremendous harm to the environment, both by the pollution caused but also to the environment here," said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks. "How am I supposed to fight for a (fuel economy) standard if I get lumped in with these lunatics?"Added Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, in whose congressional district some of the attacks occurred, "They did not empower their cause." Meanwhile, Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash., plans to reintroduce the Eco-Terrorism Prevention Act. The bill calls for a federal database of attacks committed by covert groups like the Earth Liberation Front, which claimed responsibility for the Aug. 22 attack."It's important to trace the broader picture of what these guys are involved with, and you're seeing that now in California. These groups are impervious to law enforcement penetration," said Nethercutt spokesman Rob Neal.ELF also claimed responsibility for burning a horticultural center at the University of Washington in 2001 in opposition to genetic research done there.Members of ELF, contacted via e-mail, did not return requests for comment.Last month's SUV attacks in California have renewed congressional interest in so-called "eco-terrorism," and, in the post-Sept. 11 environment, has ignited debate over threats posed by domestic and foreign terrorism.Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, the powerful chairman of the House Resources Committee, said he believes the threats are equally devastating."What's the difference between this and somebody going in and blowing up a building?" he said.Local lawmakers were divided on Congress' responsibility.Solis agreed with labeling the incidents "terrorism" and said she favored some sort of congressional inquiry. Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, who also represents some of the areas struck by ELF, said he doesn't believe Congress needs to get involved."It's a local law enforcement thing, and local law enforcement is dealing with it," said Jo Maney, spokeswoman for Dreier.California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has sponsored legislation requiring that SUVs meet the same fuel-efficiency standards that govern cars, called the incidents "wrong and criminal" and "a form of environmental terrorism." She also, however, said she doesn't believe there is currently a role for Congress in investigating the incidents or the organizations.Lisa Friedman can be reached by e-mail at lisa.friedman@langnews.com or by phone at (202) 662-8731.