More Vehicle GHG Regulations

Washington State may follow California's lead and adopt more stringent greenhouse gas standards if a new bill passes. California's regulations require new cars and trucks to achieve an average greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 22 percent by 2012 compared to today's levels, and an average reduction of 30 percent by 2016.

While not explicitly stipulated as yet, the Washington regulations would closely match California's and would be phased in by 2009. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont have also assumed California's greenhouse gas regulations.

In other measures, the state will cease to purchase four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles and begin introducing hybrid electric vehicles into its automotive fleet.