Oregon, Washington Set to Adopt California’s New Vehicle Emission Standards

Washington DC August 22, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that California’s tough emission standards will be adopted by Northwest states Oregon and Washington, reports the Detroit News.

By 2016, all new cars, SUVs and light trucks sold in the three West Coast states would have to comply with the tougher standards on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a leading cause of global warming. In addition to the West Coast states, six Northeast states are expected to finalize rules that comply with California’s standards by the end of this year -- New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, according to Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, an association of state air quality officials from the region.

Four other states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, North Carolina, and Rhode Island are also considering the California rules, weighing them against the less restrictive federal standards. The auto industry currently embroiled in a lawsuit against California over its new standards, saying the state lacks authority to implement such regulations and that the rules would eventually add $3,000 to the cost of a new car.