FRESNO (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is directing two state agencies to investigate a spike of birth defects in Kettleman City.

The governor’s order on Friday comes more than a year after first reports of facial defects and miscarriages in the impoverished town, where Chemical Waste Management Inc., owner of the town's hazardous waste facility, is seeking to expand.

Bradley Angel, executive director of environmental group Greenaction, called the investigation a “very important development and a tremendous victory” for residents.

Angel said the governor should also stop the expansion permit process.

Schwarzenegger’s order comes two days after Kettleman City residents protested outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters in San Francisco, calling for an investigation.