Breathe easier with cleaner cars
The Senate can set Washington on the road toward cleaner air by agreeing with the House to phase in stricter auto-emission standards, starting with 2009 cars.
House-passed legislation switches the state from compliance with the federal Clean Air Act to California's tighter rules on smog and greenhouse gases. Senate approval would give the state 11 years until the regulations would apply to all new cars. This is hardly radical legislation. At least seven other states, including New York, New Jersey and others in the northeast corridor, have adopted or are exploring clean-car rules.
On Wednesday, the Canadian government announced a voluntary agreement with automakers to cut carbon dioxide and other emissions by 25 percent by 2010. Here in Washington, the new rules seek a 30-percent cut farther out — in 2016.
In the absence of national political will to impose better air-quality standards, the states have been acting on their own.
Oregon's Gov. Ted Kulongoski is looking at the same regulations. Earlier this month, he and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire asked U.S. Senate committee leaders to preserve the rights of states to seek a waiver from federal law. California, Washington and Oregon represent substantial clout in the car market.
Support in Washington for tougher vehicle-emissions standards is endorsed by a broad coalition of major employers, state, county and city governments, and environmental groups.
A contrary and articulate spokesman to the auto industry for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions is Chris Marr, president of the Foothills Auto Group, which operates four dealerships in Spokane. He is past chair of the Washington State Transportation Commission and a regent of Washington State University.
Marr is convinced clean-car legislation does not affect issues of auto availability, choice, affordability, regulatory enforcement or raise competitive concerns about cross-border, out-of-state sales. Already, 75 percent of the cars he sells are certified for air standards in 50 states.
Cleaner-burning cars are more efficient, and that translates into using less gasoline. Although this legislation is not about fuel economy, the savings are expected to cover the additional costs of the technology. New emission standards apply only to new cars, not used vehicles or heavier trucks with commercial and agricultural uses.
Passage of Senate Bill 5397 provides time to get ready to put cleaner cars into Washington's future.