Washington State Continues West Coast Leadership on Climate with Clean Transportation

Department of Ecology makes Zero Emission Vehicle Program and Advanced Clean Trucks Rule official, creating clean trucks coast with OR and CA

Olympia, WA—Washington continues its year of landmark climate progress by taking huge steps to regulate and reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, buses, and vans) and passenger vehicles. Today, the WA Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) announced their adoption of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule moving the state toward a more just and equitable transportation future that prioritizes cleaner air and a healthier climate. The ZEV Program directs light duty vehicle manufacturers to increasingly sell zero emission vehicles in Washington and starting in 2024, will result in zero emission vehicles making up eight percent of all light duty vehicle sales. The ACT Rule requires truck makers to sell an increasing number of clean, zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in Washington. 

Earlier this month, Oregon became the first state to adopt the Advanced Clean Truck rules after California, and Washington’s action further commits the West Coast to cleaner, healthier air. All West Coast states now have regulations in place requiring the sale of clean, zero-emission light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Notably four other East Coast states—Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York—are also considering adopting the ACT rule this year. Together these seven states contain more than 20 percent of the national fleet of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, according to Federal Highway Administration data. Dozens of major companies, with sizable fleets, are also calling on states to adopt the ACT rule. 

A matter of health and justice, not just climate 

Nearly five million people in Washington live or work close to transportation corridors where they are exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust, with much of these emissions coming from trucks. Heavy-duty vehicles emit 45% of the U.S. transportation sector’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution and 57% of its fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. NOx is a precursor to smog which can cause or exacerbate numerous respiratory and other health ailments and is also associated with early death, as well as increased COVID-19 mortality rates. 

Track pollution via the Washington St Environmental Health Disparities Map. 

Further, these rules begin to address a legacy of environmental racism within the state’s transportation system. Racist public policies concentrated highway construction near and through inner-city and urban neighborhoods, creating toxic diesel pollution in busy trucking corridors, bus depots, distribution hubs, and seaports. Other exclusionary policies like redlining meant these areas were mostly populated by Black, Indigenous and people of color, thus disproportionately burdening these communities with dirtier air. The impacts of these practices are still felt and seen today—the ZEV program and ACT rule are a first step in redressing long-standing inequities by requiring cleaner vehicles, but further policies are needed to target zero-emission vehicle deployments and benefits in these communities. 

A step forward, but more left to do

Environmental and clean energy organizations are calling on Ecology to adopt further regulations to accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleets and ensure that this transition does not disproportionately burden drivers, labor, and environmental justice. Washington should consider the fleet reporting requirement in California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule that would allow Ecology to collect information on trucking operations and industry practices. The fleet reporting requirement is an essential next step providing the foundation to develop complementary policies to further improve air quality, lower transportation costs, protect workers, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Further, Ecology should promptly adopt the Heavy-Duty Omnibus rule, recently adopted in Oregon, to reduce emissions from new diesel trucks.

--

QUOTES FROM SUPPORTERS

“Washington’s action means we’ll have clean trucks headed our way, up and down the West Coast. Black and brown communities in particular, who have been forced to live next to highways and freight depots will breathe easier,” said Paula Sardinas, Founder of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance. “Our communities have borne the brunt of air pollution for too long. It is past time to address this environmental injustice, and these rules are an important step along the way.”

“Governor Inslee heard from Washingtonians and acted swiftly. Washington State is joining a wave of states moving to electrify freight and save lives. The exhaust from diesel trucks contributes to a range of harmful health impacts, particularly for the low-income neighborhoods and communities of color living near busy roadways and disproportionately exposed to vehicle pollution,” said Jesse Piedfort, Sierra Club Washington State Chapter Director. “This rule is a significant development to move Washington State away from dirty diesel trucks and build healthier and safer communities across our state while tackling the climate crisis.” 

“With today's decision, Washington has established itself as a leader on clean transportation and taken an important step in building a more sustainable and equitable transportation system,” said Jennifer Helfrich, senior manager, state policy, Ceres. “Major companies support the Advanced Clean Truck rule to increase the availability of clean vehicles for their supply chains. Many are already taking steps to turnover their fleets, but they need leading states to adopt strong policies to get this technology on the road at the scale and scope necessary to take on the climate crisis. We hope today's decision will help drive adoption elsewhere so that communities across the country can reap the major climate, public health, and business benefits of this technology."

“We know we can and must cut dirty diesel and gas pollution which harms our health and fuels the climate crisis, so we’re excited that Washington and other West Coast states are setting examples by passing good public policy and creating a Clean Trucks Coast. We look forward to other states following this lead,” said Leah Missik, Washington Transportation Policy Manager, Climate Solutions. “West Coast states have acutely suffered from climate impacts this year—raging wildfires, flooding, and unprecedented heat—and many Washington communities, particularly communities of color, are harmed by air pollution. Washington’s Zero Emission Vehicle and Advanced Clean Trucks rules, along with the Clean Fuel Standard, show that states can prioritize public health and lead on climate action.” 

“Washington has made significant strides towards addressing climate change this year and adopting the ACT rule is another step forward,” said Sam Wilson, senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Diesel exhaust is a potent air pollutant and powering heavy duty trucks and buses with clean electricity will benefit millions of Washingtonians, particularly those living and working close to the state's major transportation corridors.”

​​"The Clean Vehicles Program is an essential component for Washington's strategy to reduce transportation pollution because it will ensure residents and businesses will actually have the option to purchase or lease zero emission vehicles,” said Annabel Drayton, Policy Associate at the NW Energy Coalition. “The Department of Ecology adopting this new rule is an important step towards a cleaner transportation system. We hope the Department will continue their work to support a more just transition by also adopting a fleet reporting requirement in the future."

"This rule will accelerate progress towards our clean transportation future,” said BlueGreen Alliance Washington State Policy Coordinator Jessica Koski. "It’s imperative that the Department of Ecology now take active steps to ensure that the transition to zero emission vehicles and trucks is fair and equitable. This means adopting a fleet reporting requirement to collect information on trucking operations so that Washington has the data necessary to ensure that this transition does not take place on the backs of drivers.”  

“These new clean cars and truck rules are good for our health, our planet, and our economy,” said NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) Transportation Analyst Patricio Portillo. “Right now, the transportation sector is responsible for 45% of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to local air pollution and global climate change. By joining the other West Coast states in adopting the Advanced Clean Truck rule, Washington is contributing to a wave of momentum for this important policy and inspiring other states to follow."