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Chapter 70.120A RCW

MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS

RCW Sections

70.120A.010Department of ecology to adopt rules to implement California motor vehicle emission standards -- Limitations -- Advisory group -- Exemptions.
70.120A.020Early credits and banking--Alternative means of compliance.
70.120A.030Warranty repair service--Manufacturers, repair shops.
70.120A.050New vehicle greenhouse gas emissions disclosure -- Rule-making authority.

70.120A.010
Department of ecology to adopt rules to implement California motor vehicle emission standards — Limitations — Advisory group — Exemptions.

(1) Pursuant to the federal clean air act, the legislature adopts the California motor vehicle emission standards in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, effective January 1, 2005, except as provided in this chapter. The department of ecology shall adopt rules to implement the emission standards of the state of California for passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles, and shall amend the rules from time to time, to maintain consistency with the California motor vehicle emission standards and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 7507 (section 177 of the federal clean air act). Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the department of ecology shall not adopt the zero emission vehicle program regulations contained in Title 13 section 1962 of the California Code of Regulations effective January 1, 2005. During rule development, the department of ecology shall convene an advisory group composed of industry and consumer group representatives. Any proposed rules or changes to rules shall be subject to review and comment by the advisory group, prior to rule adoption. The order of adoption for the rules required in this section shall include the signature of the governor. The rules shall be effective only for those model years for which the state of Oregon has adopted the California motor vehicle emission standards. This section does not limit the department of ecology's authority to regulate motor vehicle emissions for any other class of vehicle.

     (2) Motor vehicles with a model year equal to or later than the first model year for which new vehicles sold to Washington state residents are required to comply with California motor vehicle emission standards are exempt from emission inspections under chapter 70.120 RCW.

     (3) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to the use by a resident of this state of a motor vehicle acquired and used while the resident is a member of the armed services and is stationed outside this state pursuant to military orders.

[2010 c 76 § 1; 2005 c 295 § 2.]

Notes:

     Findings -- 2005 c 295: "The legislature finds that:

     (1) Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution in the state of Washington, and motor vehicles contribute approximately fifty-seven percent of criteria air pollutant emissions, eighty percent of air toxics emissions, and fifty-five percent of greenhouse gas emissions;

     (2) Air pollution levels routinely measured in the state of Washington continue to harm public health, the environment, and the economy. Air pollution causes or contributes to premature death, cancer, asthma, and heart and lung disease. Over half of the state's population suffers from one or more medical conditions that make them very vulnerable to air pollution. Air pollution increases pain and suffering for vulnerable individuals. Air pollution imposes several hundred million dollars annually in added health care costs for air pollution-associated death and illness, reducing the quality of life and economic security of the citizens of Washington;

     (3) Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources are necessary, and it is equitable to seek such reductions because reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have already been initiated in other sectors such as power generation;

     (4) Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions made under this act should be credited toward any future federal, state, or regional comprehensive regulatory structure enacted to address reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

     (5) Under the federal clean air act, the state of Washington has the option to implement either federal motor vehicle emission standards or California motor vehicle emission standards for passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles;

     (6) Opting into the California motor vehicle standards will provide significant and necessary air quality benefits to residents of the state of Washington; and

     (7) Adoption of the California motor vehicle standards will increase consumer choices of cleaner vehicles, provide better warranties to consumers, and provide sufficient air quality benefit to allow additional business and economic growth in the key airsheds of the state while maintaining conformance with federal air quality standards." [2005 c 295 § 1.]

     Effective date -- 2005 c 295 §§ 1, 2, 7, and 11-13: "Sections 1, 2, 7, and 11 through 13 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [May 6, 2005]." [2005 c 295 § 15.]



70.120A.020
Early credits and banking — Alternative means of compliance.

(1) In recognition of the provisions of the federal clean air act which require a minimum phase-in period of three model years for adoption of California motor vehicle emission standards, the implementing rules shall include a system of early credits and banking for manufacturers for zero emission vehicles produced and sold earlier than the implementation date for the standards in Washington. Beginning with the model year in which the new standards become effective, each manufacturer's fleet of passenger cars and light duty trucks delivered for sale in the state of Washington shall proportionately conform to the zero emission vehicle requirements of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, including early credit and banking provisions set forth in Title 13 of the Code of California Regulations using Washington specific vehicle numbers. A manufacturer shall be given early Washington zero emission vehicle credits proportionally equivalent to the zero emission vehicle credits possessed by the requesting manufacturer for use in the state of California on January 1st of the model year the California standards become effective in Washington.

     (2) In addition, an alternative means of compliance with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall be created in the implementing rules provided for in RCW 70.120A.010. The alternative means of compliance shall allow a manufacturer to earn Washington zero emission vehicle credits beginning with the 2005 model year. The alternative means of compliance shall be developed to be consistent in concept with the alternative compliance systems developed for the states of Connecticut, New York, and Maine as they adopted the zero emission vehicle provisions of the California motor vehicle standards and shall contain a Washington multiplier consistent with the multipliers in those systems. The implementing rules shall require timely notification by the manufacturer to the department of ecology of an election to use the alternative means of compliance.

[2005 c 295 § 3.]

Notes:

     Findings -- 2005 c 295: See note following RCW 70.120A.010.



70.120A.030
Warranty repair service — Manufacturers, repair shops.

Individual automobile manufacturers may certify independent automobile repair shops to perform warranty service on the manufacturers' vehicles. Upon certification of the independent automobile repair shops, the manufacturers shall compensate the repair shops at the same rate as franchised dealers for covered warranty repair services.

[2005 c 295 § 4.]

Notes:

     Findings -- 2005 c 295: See note following RCW 70.120A.010.



70.120A.050
New vehicle greenhouse gas emissions disclosure — Rule-making authority.

(1) No model year 2010 or subsequent model year new passenger car, light duty truck, or medium duty passenger vehicle may be sold in Washington unless there is securely and conspicuously affixed in a clearly visible location a label on which the manufacturer clearly discloses comparative greenhouse gas emissions for that new vehicle.

     (2) The label required by this section should include a greenhouse gas index or rating system that contains quantitative and graphical information presented in a continuous, easy-to-read scale that compares the greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicle with the average projected greenhouse gas emissions from all passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles of the same model year. For reference purposes, the index or rating system should also identify the greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicle model of that same model year that has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.

     (3) The index or rating system included in the label under subsection (2) of this section shall be updated as necessary to ensure that the differences in greenhouse gas emissions among vehicles are readily apparent to the consumer.

     (4) An automobile manufacturer may apply to the department of ecology for approval of an alternative to the disclosure labeling requirement that is at least as effective in providing notification and disclosure of the vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions as is the labeling required by this section.

     (5) A label that complies with the requirements of the California greenhouse gas vehicle labeling program shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section and any rules adopted under this section.

     (6) The department of ecology may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement this section.

[2014 c 76 § 8; 2008 c 32 § 2.]

Notes:

     Intent -- 2008 c 32: "The legislature intends that new passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles for sale in Washington display clear and easy to understand information disclosing the new vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the legislature intends that disclosure of such emissions serves as a means of educating consumers, other motorists, and the general public about the sources of greenhouse gas, their impact, available options, and in particular the role and contribution of automobiles and other motor vehicles." [2008 c 32 § 1.]