Annual Report 2023
WRA’s commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in our relentless pursuit of policy solutions that pave the way for a cleaner, greener future, and in how we navigate intricate layers of policymaking to effect real change on the ground. In 2023, our focus on transportation electrification was a pivotal force driving change across the region.
“Our work is about decarbonizing all sectors of the economy, with transportation being a significant contributor to greenhouse gases,” said Deborah Kapiloff, WRA’s transportation electrification policy advisor. “It’s crucial we tackle this sector head-on to meet our climate goals.”
Central to these efforts are the Advanced Clean Cars and Trucks standards, a cornerstone of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in our communities. Transportation is the largest source of climate-warming emissions in the country, and emissions from on-road vehicles that are regulated by these standards account for over 80% of those emissions.
WRA dedicated substantial effort to passing these rules in Colorado and New Mexico in 2023, providing expert testimony, conducting thorough research to effectively influence decision makers, and activating a passionate group of community advocates. The successful adoption of these standards in both states marked a major milestone for our work and for transportation electrification.
These policies will ensure that an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles are being sold for every vehicle class on Colorado and New Mexico roads – from passenger vehicles to delivery vans to eighteen-wheel semi-trucks. And these policy wins will translate into cleaner air, substantial cost savings, and increased accessibility to zero-emission vehicles for consumers – creating tangible benefits for communities across the West.
The decision to implement these rules in Colorado and New Mexico will rapidly accelerate the adoption of zero-emission cars and trucks in these states, critical for addressing climate change threats. From improved air quality to billions saved at the gas pump, these policies are a win for both the environment and our economy.
Throughout 2023, our approach was marked by strategic engagement with legislators, stakeholders, and partners – allowing us to effectively advocate for and influence positive results for our communities and environment.
“Building broad-based support for our policies ensures they have the best chance of becoming law,” said Kapiloff.
The Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program, passed into law in 2023, exemplifies this important layer to effective advocacy. This program provides incentives that empower school districts and small businesses to transition to clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles – and WRA’s close work with the bill sponsor, Assemblyman Howard Watts, played an instrumental role at the legislature. We worked closely with Assemblyman Watts and stakeholders to build broad support for the bill, which passed with nearly unanimous, bipartisan votes.
WRA’s clean transportation work seeks to increase electric vehicle model availability, with policies like Clean Cars and Trucks standards, and ensure that electric vehicles are accessible to communities across the West through programs like the Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive or utility transportation electrification plans.
Transportation electrification plans in our region serve as a cohesive layer to our strategy, linking advocacy efforts and policy outcomes. These plans outline how an electric utility will facilitate the move toward a clean and equitable transportation system, addressing the reduction of climate emissions and air pollution with deployment of charging infrastructure, optimized rate designs, and other programs. Utility commitments – and, importantly, the investments to back up those commitments – are fundamental to our efforts to decarbonize the transportation sector.
WRA secured $375 million in utility investments in transportation electrification infrastructure and programs in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico in 2023.
This means more programs to support electric vehicle adoption by low-income customers, more residential and commercial charging stations in communities, and more improvements to strengthen the electric grid.
By strategically advocating for robust policies, influencing legislation, and securing funding for infrastructure, we’re laying the groundwork for a future where electric vehicles are the norm rather than the exception. And where they are accessible to all.
We’re not just advocating for more electric vehicles on the road; we’re ensuring that the benefits of transportation electrification reach everyone. It’s about equity and ensuring that communities with limited resources can also participate in building a sustainable future.
Our commitment to advancing transportation electrification is driven by the belief that each policy victory builds on the next, bringing us closer to a cleaner, healthier future for all.
