This week, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) sent guidance to vehicle manufacturers in response to recent congressional action aimed at overturning California’s vehicle emissions standards under the federal Clean Air Act, which have been adopted by 18 other states and the District of Columbia. In late May, Congress blocked U.S. EPA waivers granting California the authority to set vehicle emissions standards more stringent than federal standards.
In a statement, Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said, “We must continue the momentum already underway to decarbonize the transportation sector.” Ecology’s guidance pauses compliance requirements for manufacturers to increase the deployment of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for six months, in order to give the state and manufacturers the opportunity to evaluate and resolve the legal implications of the federal action. Ecology asserts that this federal action introduces new uncertainty for states, manufacturers, and consumers; “undermines” states’ rights; negatively impacts public health; and puts U.S. automakers at a competitive disadvantage in a global market that is rapidly transitioning to ZEV technology.
Washington law requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
