  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - October 2, 2008
08-271
OLYMPIA – Beginning next year, car buyers in Washington state will be aided by a new label that details a new vehicle’s emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases.
The 2008 Legislature directed the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to develop an “environmental performance” label that displays clear, easy-to-understand information about new vehicles’ emissions of greenhouse gases and smog. The labels are expected to be ready for use in early 2009. They must be displayed on each new passenger car, light-duty truck and medium-duty passenger vehicles (such as most vans and SUVs) sold in Washington. Vehicles in those categories can’t be sold without a label.
See an example of a label here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cleancars.htm#What_is_the_Environmental_Performance_Label.
Legislators say the labels can help educate the public about the sources of greenhouse gases and their impacts on Washington’s environment. The transportation sector – passenger vehicles, freight and construction vehicles, ships, airplanes and trains – emits about 47 percent of greenhouse gases in Washington. That makes it the state’s largest single contributor of such gases.
In addition, Ecology is making required updates to the state’s low-emission vehicle (“clean car”) standards, which the Washington Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire adopted in 2005. Washington’s standards are the same as California’s, which are more stringent than federal requirements. The federal Clean Air Act allows states to adopt California’s standards. When the California standards change, Washington’s standards must be updated to remain consistent.
Beginning with the 2009 model year, Washington’s standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles. They don’t apply to vehicles already owned by Washington residents. Find more information here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cleancars.htm.
You can follow Ecology’s work at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/activity/wac173423.html. Ecology staff plans to hold a public hearing in December. Details will be announced soon.
###
Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; spre461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
