New Mexico's air quality is not the worst in the nation but it could be better, and the recent adoption of new standards for clean cars and trucks are part of an effort to curb pollutants which damage health and the environment.

The state already has an Energy Transition Act to move New Mexico to a 100% carbon-free electricity grid by 2045. And it adopted methane-emission rules prior to those recently announced by the federal government.

David Baake, attorney for the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club, said the new clean car rules dovetail with the state's broader climate strategy.

"The three largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico are the oil and gas production sector, the power sector and then transportation," Baake outlined. "We'll have pretty incredible benefits in terms of public health and also the climate benefits."

As adopted in November by two governing boards, new rules will require 43% of new cars and light-duty trucks delivered to the state to be electric by 2027, and 82% by 2032. Recent hearings included testimony from supporters and opponents, including car dealers who fear New Mexico is moving too fast.

Clean car and truck regulations were first developed in California and have been adopted by 19 other states. While some argued New Mexico's timeline is not feasible, Baake countered many major fleets in the trucking industry already are making inroads.

"Thanks to the tax credits and other incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, the heavy-duty commercial trucking industry is already on track to come really close to meeting the rule's target, just based on market trends," Baake observed.

State residents are eligible for several incentives from their utility provider for home electric vehicle chargers and installation, lower whole-home rates for charging at night, and a potential $4,000 rebate in 2024 for EV purchases. On Jan. 1, a federal tax credit of between $4,000 and $7,500 will also be taken off the dealer's price at the point of purchase.

Bad air quality days are a heightened concern as ozone season begins in North Carolina.

Ozone season in the state lasts from March through October, when hot weather increases the prevalence of ground-level ozone.

Rafaella Vaca, education manager for the advocacy group CleanAIRE NC, said there are health effects from poor ozone days.

"Symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and throat irritation as short term impacts," Vaca explained. "Over time, it can cause inflamed airways and worsen conditions like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and also increase your susceptibility to lung infections."

Ground-level ozone forms from chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and organic compounds emitted from car exhaust, aerosols and manufacturing facilities.

Vaca acknowledged the effects of bad ozone are not often discussed, probably in part because it cannot be seen, even though it contributes to smog.

"It's not emitted directly from car emissions but it forms when pollutants come together in sunlight," Vaca noted. "It's a little bit more of a complicated process."

Vaca emphasized there are ways for people to protect themselves and others, including by driving less and using public transportation more often. People can also check the Air Quality Index and limit activities outside when levels are high.

Vaca argued regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality can do more to protect people.

"They need to consider all air emissions and contaminations that can affect your well-being," Vaca urged. "Unfortunately, that's not currently how this system works because each air pollution permit is evaluated as and only one pollution source to consider versus considering all of them at once."

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration stopped new funding for electric vehicle charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program allocated $5 billion over five years to all U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Michigan was set to receive $110 million for fast-charging stations along key routes.

Chase Attanasio, policy manager for the advocacy group Clean Fuels Michigan, said despite the cuts, EV charging ports expansion plans in the state are affected but not aborted.

"The utility companies in Michigan have been and will continue to invest heavily in EV infrastructure deployments in their service territories that support a variety of different use cases," Attanasio pointed out. "And there are state programs that will continue to support EV charger deployments across the state."

The federal government will allow existing contracts to proceed with reimbursements until new guidance is issued.

There are currently 3,700 public charging stations around the Great Lakes State and the goal is to deploy 100 thousand by 2030. Attanasio believes Michigan has an opportunity to step up and take the lead in the clean mobility sector, despite uncertainties.

"Increasing investments in the clean mobility sectors will show Michigan's commitment to this industry," Attanasio contended. "And its commitment to transitioning and supporting the automotive industry in its transition towards electric vehicles."

The Federal government's initial goal was to increase the total number of public EV charging ports to 500,000 by 2030. Since Congress approved the funding, the current administration may face challenges in stopping the program on its own.

New legislation would transition more ocean-going container ships to run off electricity instead of diesel while they are docked at Washington ports. Proponents of the bill say implementing more shore power would improve air quality and cut emissions. Ships still need power when they are in port, and often leave engines idling. The diesel fumes have created health problems for nearby Puget Sound residents, including increased risk of cancer and other serious health effects.

Rep, Julia Reed, D-Seattle, introduced the shore power bill, and said both impacted communities and the shipping industry have high incentives to move away from diesel.

"We need both of these partners to kind of work together towards a common goal of creating shore power across Washington state in order to get this to work," she explained.

Reed noted the transition to electric power for Washington's ports will take years to implement and will be expensive, but added the shipping industry is motivated by the high cost of diesel to find alternative fuels, which are already in use in Europe and California.

Georgetown and South Park, two neighborhoods in Southern Seattle, as well as parts of Tacoma face severe health disparities due to the impacts of diesel fuel and other industries. Life expectancy is up to 20 years lower in these areas compared to other parts of the state. Reed says she recognizes this has been an issue for these communities for years.

"I think it's not an accident that a lot of poor browner communities tend to be the ones that are closest to these industrial impacts. And also those communities have been speaking out for themselves," she explained.

Reed said the coast electrification project will be funded in part by the Climate Commitment Act, which was upheld by Washington voters in 2024. The program uses a cap and trade system to help the state meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.


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