Locke backs tougher emissions standards

By David Ammons
The Associated Press

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Locke, a two-term Democrat who will leave office next month, also announced a freeze on state-government purchase of four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicles. The state motor pool will begin shifting to hybrid vehicles, which run on electricity and gasoline.

The proposal to adopt California's auto standards, effective with the 2009 model year, is the centerpiece of Locke's package of bills to combat global warming.

"Global warming is here," Locke said at a news conference. "Global warming is real and it affects all of us. ... The impacts from global warming can be devastating to our coastline, our public facilities, our agricultural economy and to our environment.

"We must take action now to reduce or avoid these consequences for future generations."

Without stringent measures, he said, the snowpack could melt so much that his youngsters won't be able to ski at Snoqualmie Pass when they're his age.

Carbon-dioxide emissions from vehicles, including buses and commercial trucks, account for 55 percent of the state's emissions, Locke said, more air pollution than industrial smokestacks.

The new standards would greatly reduce pollution, ease health concerns and save motorists enough on fuel to more than pay the extra cost, estimated at $328, of buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, he said.

California estimates the new standards will cut emissions in cars and light trucks by 25 percent and in larger trucks and SUVs by 18 percent.

The auto industry sued California on Tuesday. Locke said Washington will monitor the lawsuit, but he said federal law clearly allows the California standards and other states are free to adopt them.

Seven states have adopted California's standards: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island. The eight states account for about one-fourth of U.S. car sales.
 
"California drives the market. It is the fifth-largest economy in the world," Locke said.

States need to take the lead, since the federal government has not, he said.

The new standards require automakers to use better air conditioners, more efficient transmissions and smaller engines.

Hybrid autos, such as the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius, and other superefficient vehicles would be exempt from emission inspections required every two years in Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties.

Locke is working with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski on a West Coast global-warming project. Kulongoski's advisory group meets Dec. 17 and also may recommend adoption of the California emission standards.

Locke also proposed:

• Establishing state energy-efficiency standards for commercial appliances and products, such as commercial washing machines, refrigerators and ice makers. Federal standards cover consumer appliances.

• Adopting state goals for reducing greenhouse emissions. The state would try to reduce pollution to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 10 percent below that by 2020. Washington State University's Climate and Rural Energy Center would track the progress and suggest strategies for achieving the goals.

• Requiring utilities to focus on renewable and energy-efficient generation of electricity. The bill also includes requirements for conservation.

House Transportation Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, and a number of the majority Democrats in the Senate announced their support for the full package. Murray and Locke said Republicans also have expressed interest and that bipartisan votes are likely.

Locke said he hadn't lobbied his potential successors, Democrat Christine Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi, but was optimistic that the next governor will take up the cause.

Murray said that Gregoire's environmental credentials are impeccable and that Rossi is a board member of the Nature Conservancy, which endorses the legislation.