Eau Claire Officials and Locals Call for Higher Clean Air Standards

Eau Claire City officials and local activists expressed their support for stricter clean air standards on new vehicles this week.

At a press conference on Thursday, City Council members Larry Mboga and Joshua Miller expressed their support for the higher standards from the Environmental Protection Agency, which are expected to begin in 2027.

According to the EPA, the proposed raised standards would reduce smog and soot-forming pollution from vehicles, which would save drivers money on fuel and maintenance costs as well as improve overall public health with cleaner air. The new standards would be phased in over a five year period from 2027 to 2032.

The goal of the raised standards is to make over half of the new passenger vehicles hitting the road by 2032 either electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles. According to a WQOW report, former Eau Claire City Council member Jeremy Gragert said addressing pollution concerns in the transportation sector is a multifaceted challenge, but one that will benefit everybody when solved.

In line with those goals, earlier this week United States Senator Tammy Baldwin announced 24 school districts across the state would receive funding to add zero or low emission buses to their fleets. Among the school districts receiving funding are the Boyceville Community School District, Alma School District, Osseo-Fairchild School District and the Augusta School District. Combined, the four Chippewa Valley districts will receive over $1 million through the program.

In addition to the introduction of more electric vehicles on the road, state officials will also need to build up the electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state to make the cars more practical and accessible.