Cleaner Cars for Washington

In 2005, after a fierce legislative fight, WEC and our partners succeeded in gaining adoption of California’s clean car standards for Washington.  That victory helped pave the way for a recent agreement to raise auto emissions standards nationwide.

California is the one state that can set its own auto emissions standards, which must be at least as tough as federal standards.  The only catch is that California must get a waiver from U.S. EPA allowing them to implement their own stricter standards.  States can choose to adopt California’s standards, or follow the federal standards. 

The Bush administration refused to give California permission to implement for its latest round of standards, which included requirements for lower greenhouse gas emissions as well as traditional air pollutants.  WEC was part of a legal strategy to force the federal government to grant the waiver.

In June, with the legal case still on appeal, the Obama administration finally granted California permission.  Even more significantly, they struck a deal with California and auto makers for a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in federal mileage standards (higher mileage standards means less CO2 emissions). 

With California and 14 other states accounting for roughly a third of the nation’s new car market on track to implement tougher standards, and the prospect of ever more states adopting the tough standard, the auto makers had little choice but to relent and agree to an improved federal standard. 

The beauty of the federal deal is that cars and trucks sold in all 50 states will now meet the higher standards, delivering dramatic reductions in global warming pollution and other air pollution.

By 2016, car and light truck greenhouse gas emissions will be required on average to be 30% lower and average vehicle mileage will improve to 39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks.  And, starting in 2017, California can again petition for stricter standards, an effort that is already in the works. Now that Washington is tied to California’s standards, we will improve along with them.

This story is a powerful example of the how state-level action, in the face of a recalcitrant industry and federal administration, can ultimately turn the tide and lead to a major environmental win, as well as providing consumers with better, more cost-effective choices.

Your support makes wins such as Clean Cars possible.  Thank you!
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Learn More

• Seattle Times story on the decision.
• More information on WEC's continuing work on climate change.