West

Washington

Washington has been a leader in climate and environmental justice policy, especially with the passage of the ambitious Climate Commitment Act and the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act in 2021. The state’s emissions decreased by 10% from 1990-2021, compared to their target of 45% below 1990 levels by 2030. The majority of in-state electricity is generated by renewables, and the state is the top hydroelectric power producer, providing over one-fifth of the country’s hydroelectric power.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2030 :

45%

2040 :

70%

2050 :

95%

2050 :

Net-zero economy

Governor

Jay Inslee (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/8/24 - 3/7/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

37

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

25

Policy Opportunities

across 6 policy areas

See all

West

11 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Enacted	Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards Empty column Washington Clean Cars Establishing Policies Chapter 173-423 WAC (2022) Washington Clean Cars	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles	2022
Enacted	Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Empty column Model Year (MY) 2026: 35% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs \| MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs \| MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Establishing Policies SB 5974 (2022) Advanced Clean Cars II (2022) Advanced Clean Cars II Program	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles	2022
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle Rebates Empty column Electric vehicle rebates offer rebates to make light-duty electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles
Enacted	Low NOx Omnibus Rules Empty column The Low NOx Omnibus Rule applies to Model Year 2026 onwards. Establishing Policies Chapter 173-423 WAC (2022)	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	2022
Enacted	Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Empty column By 2035: 55% of Class 2b-3 truck sales are zero-emissions \| 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales are zero-emissions \| 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales are zero-emissions. Establishing Policies Washington Advanced Clean Trucks Rule (2022) Advanced Clean Trucks Program	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	2022
Not Enacted	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates Empty column Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Enacted	Public Fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) Procurement Targets Empty column 40% of the state's passenger and light-duty vehicle fleet are battery EVs by 2025 \| 75% are BEVs by 2030 \| 100% are BEVs by 2035 50% of the state's medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet are BEVs by 2030 \| 75% are BEVs by 2035 \| 100% are BEVs by 2040 Establishing Policies Executive Order 21-04 (2021)	Transportation	Lead by Example	2021
Not Enacted	Electric Bus Procurement Targets Empty column Electric bus procurement targets require that a certain percentage or number of school buses and/or transit buses purchased or leased by the state, transit authorities, and/or school districts must be electric or zero-emissions.	Transportation	Lead by Example
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Requirements Empty column Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots.	Transportation	EV Charging Infrastructure
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Rebates Empty column Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rebates offer rebates to make the purchase and/or installation costs of EV charging infrastructure more affordable.	Transportation	EV Charging Infrastructure
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans Empty column Electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging infrastructure plans are documents that provide a framework to guide the development, coordination, and adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure.	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted	Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column Transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit emissions in the transportation sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by specific amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets
Enacted	Low Carbon Fuel Standards Empty column Washington Clean Fuel Standard Establishing Policies Chapter 70A.535 RCW (2021) Washington Clean Fuel Standard	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets	2021
Enacted	Bicycle Friendly States Empty column Washington is ranked 3rd out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists. Establishing Policies Washington Bicycle Friendly State Scorecard Policy Components enacted enacted enacted enacted enacted 5/5	Transportation	Public and Active Transportation

Washington

Key Offices & Links

37

25

West

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Washington