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Department of Ecology News Release - January 22, 2009
09-020
OLYMPIA – Starting in February, consumers can learn more about how new vehicles sold in Washington contribute to climate change.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) developed an easy-to-read label that shows new vehicles' emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants. The label must be displayed on each new passenger car, light-duty truck and medium-duty passenger vehicle (such as most vans and SUVs) sold in Washington. Those vehicles can't be sold without a label.
The transportation sector – passenger vehicles, freight and construction vehicles, ships, airplanes and trains – emits about 47 percent of Washington's greenhouse gases. That makes it the state's largest single source of such gases.
“This label can help educate people about Washington's greenhouse gas sources, and inform their buying decisions,” said Stuart Clark, Ecology's Air Quality Program manager.
The 2008 Legislature directed Ecology to develop the label. The agency adopted the label last week. New vehicles should display the label starting after Feb. 15, 2009.
Ecology also updated the state's low-emission vehicle (“clean car”) standards. The 2005 Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire adopted California's standards, which are more strict than federal emissions limits. Federal law allows states to adopt California's standards. Washington must update its standards when California's standards change.
Beginning with 2009 models, the “clean car” standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles. They don't apply to any vehicles already owned by Washington residents. Find more information at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cleancars.htm.
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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; spre461@ecy.wa.gov
See an example of a label: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cleancars.htm#What_is_the_Environmental_Performance_Label
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
