The Administration of Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee announced this week that it will join seven states, including Massachusetts, in adopting a policy to rein in carbon pollution by slashing tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and SUVs. With transportation causing around 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the state’s Act on Climate mandating that Rhode Island achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, the regulations would require that manufacturers deliver cleaner vehicles to Rhode Island consumers.
The adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards marks a pivotal moment in Rhode Island’s efforts to fight climate change. Rhode Island joins Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Oregon, New York, and Massachusetts in adopting the California standards. Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey are currently moving forward with adoption.
“Rhode Island is joining our neighboring states to cut GHGs and air pollution, which have the most impact on our communities that border our major roads and highways, creating a disproportionate impact in those neighborhoods,” said Rhode Island DEM Director Terry Gray.
The regulations filed by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) would require that all new cars imported for sale in Rhode Island be non-gas powered by 2035. Manufacturers already are taking action to meet consumer demand and these emerging regulatory requirements, and will deliver zero-emission vehicles first to those states where they have a legal compliance obligation to do so. States that have not adopted the ACCII regulations will receive whatever remaining inventory of a manufacturer’s production for each year based on market conditions.
