Washington State Proposes Tighter Emissions For Vehicles

The bill proposes to make WA emission standards as tough as Californias.

"Reduction of greenhouse gases is scheduled to start with 2009-model-year automobiles.According to California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff, the average reduction of greenhouse gases from new California cars and light trucks will be about 22 percent in 2012 and about 30 percent in 2016, compared with today's vehicles.Costs for the added technology needed to meet the rule are expected to average about $325 per vehicle in 2012 and about $1,050 per vehicle to comply in 2016, costs the ARB claims would be offset by savings on fuel.At least seven other states — New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine — as well as Canada, are expected to consider adopting the regulation for their use. If all of those states and Canada adopt the rule, the number of cars required to meet the rule will triple.The regulation is also expected to cut ozone-forming pollution by about five tons per day by 2020"