Chapter 173-423 WAC
and WAC 173-400-025 – Low Emission Vehicles

On November 29, 2021, Ecology updated two rules:

Washington is expanding its program by adopting California’s more protective vehicle emission standards for new vehicles – starting with model year 2025 and later – sold in Washington. Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution in Washington. Transportation contributes about 22 percent of total air pollution and 45 percent of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state.

We are also updating the adoption of federal rules by reference date in Chapter 173-400 WAC.

Rulemaking usually starts at the rule announcement phase. However, Ecology started this rulemaking at the rule proposal phase because the Legislature directed us to adopt California’s rules as written (RCW 70A.30.010).

Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Rule proposal phase (CR-102)

Filing date:
June 22, 2021

Rule proposal documents:

Comment period

Comments were due by August 9, 2021. We accepted comments in the following ways:

  • Read comments.

  • Attend a public hearing online (webinar):
    • July 27, 2021, 1:30 p.m.
    • July 29, 2021, 6 p.m.
  • Mail to:  Elena Guilfoil
       Department of Ecology
       Air Quality Program
       P.O. Box 47600
       Olympia, WA  98504-7600

Public information sessions – RESCHEDULED

Date/Time:  July 19, 2021, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. recording of presentation
                     July 21, 2021, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. online webinar

Location:  online (webinar)
    Register for each webinar to get your access code.
    To hear the webinar better, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 1-855-929-3239.

Agenda:  Presentation, followed by question-and-answer session

Public hearings

Date/Time:  July 27, 2021, 1:30 p.m. online webinar
                      July 29, 2021, 6 p.m. online webinar

Location:  online (webinar)
    Register for each webinar to get your access code.
    To hear the webinar better, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 1-855-929-3239.

Agenda: Presentation, question-and-answer session, followed by public hearing

Accessibility:  To request ADA accommodation for the public hearing, email Ecology’s ADA coordinator by July 13, 2021.  Or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY).

Rule adoption phase (CR-103)

Adoption date:
Nov. 29, 2021


Rule effective date:
Dec. 30, 2021


Rule adoption documents:

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean)

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.