What's New

The Department of Ecology is now in the process of writing the rules that will implement the Clean Car standard in Washington state. Beginning with the 2009 model year, new cars and trucks sold in Washington state will meet a higher standard for reducing tailpipe and global warming emissions. The new standard will cut a quarter of the toxic air pollution emitted by cars and light trucks in Washington, which will reduce asthma attacks and other health damage caused by air pollution.

How You Can Help

E-mail your Representatives and ask them to take action to reduce our oil dependence. CLICK HERE

Brief Summary

Cars are the leading source of air pollution in Washington, emitting about 55 percent of the total air pollution in the state, which causes smog that harms our health, haze which spoils the views of our natural heritage and global warming which threatens our planet. In the Seattle and Spokane areas, about one in 10 children now have asthma, and hospital rates for children with asthma in the Puget Sound region has increased 53 percent in the last decade.

Unfortunately, American automakers still insist on building bigger, dirtier cars rather than cleaner, more efficient ones.

That's why Environment Washington is working with coalition partners to build on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. If successful, automakers will be forced to increase fuel efficiency and require all cars sold in the U.S. to meet California Clean Car standards.