Environmental justice assessment notices
The Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act) requires specific state agencies to conduct an environmental justice assessment for significant agency actions.
Under RCW 70A.02.090 each covered agency must file a notice with us of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment. We prepare a list of all filings received from covered agencies each week to post here every Friday.
Below is list of state agency environmental justice assessments that you can filter by agency or type of action or use the search bar to find certain terms. Select the “+” symbol for descriptions of the action, how the public can provide input, and a link to the EJ assessment when completed. For a dashboard summarizing the assessments received to date, see the HEAL Act dashboards.
EJA Notices Table
Ecology is considering amendments to Chapter 173-423 WAC, Washington’s Clean Vehicles Program rule. Washington law (RCW 70A.30.010) requires Ecology to adopt certain California regulations to maintain consistency with California’s emissions standards for new motor vehicles and engines. To date, Ecology has delivered on this statutory requirement by adopting regulations consistent with the following California programs: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus standards. These regulations ensure that new motor vehicles sold in Washington pollute less, and they are an essential policy tool for addressing climate change and improving air quality – particularly in communities overburdened by vehicle emissions. In this rulemaking, Ecology is considering amendments to Washington regulations that will track amendments to the following California regulations: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus standards. Additionally, Ecology is considering adopting components of California’s 2010 medium- and heavy-duty vehicle in-use standards to maintain consistency with RCW 70A.30.010, particularly in light of ongoing federal attempts to revoke California’s waivers for the current medium- and heavy-duty low-emission vehicle standards (i.e., Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus). Although Ecology holds these recent federal waiver actions as unlawful, this rulemaking will ensure the cleanest available standards are implemented in Washington. Amendments under consideration also include any changes to components of these regulations in Chapter 173-423 WAC that are needed to address Washington-specific vehicle market conditions. These changes must be limited to aspects that do not create a “third vehicle” for regulatory purposes outside of those created for the California and federal markets, as is required by the federal Clean Air Act. Ecology is also evaluating additional fleet reporting requirements, beyond the one-time report required in 2023, to authorize additional data collection. These amendments are important to streamline program implementation, provide additional compliance flexibility and clarity, maintain consistency with other states and the federal government, and work toward meeting Washington’s requirements for greenhouse gas emissions. For a complete list of amendments being considered in this rulemaking, please see the rulemaking webpage.
Ecology identified the following engagement opportunities for the public to comment on this proposed action. We will conduct outreach with the public, community-based and environmental organizations whose missions are focused on climate or energy policy and air quality, and overburdened communities and vulnerable populations most impacted by the rulemaking: Informational meetings: To provide an opportunity to learn about this rulemaking and share input. Draft rule language meetings: To provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the rule language revisions and share input on the rule language drafts. Comment periods, both informal and formal: To provide opportunities to submit written comments online. Environmental justice-focused community forums: To gather feedback from potential overburdened and vulnerable communities, environmental justice organizations, and other members of the public on environmental justice issues related to these rulemakings. Overburdened communities and vulnerable populations near major roadways are most likely to be indirectly impacted by this rulemaking. Tribal Forums: To share rulemaking updates and gather feedback from Tribes. Public hearings: To gather feedback on the proposed rule language. Hearings will include time for oral testimony. ZEVergreen: This rulemaking is a part of ZEVergreen, Washington’s effort to make clean, affordable transportation more accessible for our communities and industry. As a part of this effort, Ecology will hold a series of workshops with partners to explore strategies for ZEV adoption that are in line with our state’s legally mandated greenhouse gas emission limits. In addition to helping Washingtonians save money, ZEVergreen will protect public health and the environment. Getting more of these vehicles on Washington’s roads reduces the harmful air pollution affecting communities located near major traffic corridors. Washington law requires a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050. Continuing zero-emission vehicle adoption is an important part of meeting these limits. Ecology will host an initial public information session on December 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. As we schedule additional opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list.