The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire Governor Chris Gregoire

01/27/09

Washington, and the rest of the world, must reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas pollution. Greenhouse gases cause global warming, whose effects lead to less snowpack, lower summer stream flows, reduced water supplies and loss of habitat, and more winter flooding and greater coastal erosion.

Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution in our state. In 2005, I joined the governors of California and other western states in signing the Clean Car Act. This legislation is designed to promote cleaner air and reduce gasoline use by requiring that new cars and light trucks sold in Washington state meet strict auto exhaust emission standards.

Our efforts to reduce harmful emissions came to a halt in 2007, when the Bush administration denied states the ability to set their own vehicle emission standards.

In his first week in office, President Obama has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its decision. I applaud this move by President Obama to address emission standards, and look forward to working with the federal government to tackle one of our most pressing environmental problems.

Making investments now to protect our health and environment will cost us far less in the long run. It is past time to clean up auto emissions and do our part to reduce global warming and improve the health of our citizens.