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Supervisor Perez Votes for New Air Quality Rule Addressing Warehouse Air Quality Impacts

7 May 2021

DIAMOND BAR – Supervisor V. Manuel Perez today voted for the warehouse indirect source rule, approved by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) at Friday’s meeting, to manage the impact that increased truck trips to warehouses has had on air quality in the Southern California region.

Supervisor Perez Votes for New Air Quality Rule Addressing Warehouse Air Quality Impacts

DIAMOND BAR – Supervisor V. Manuel Perez today voted for the warehouse indirect source rule, approved by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) at Friday’s meeting, to manage the impact that increased truck trips to warehouses has had on air quality in the Southern California region.

The meeting was historic as it was the final meeting for Dr. William A. Burke, who retires as the longest-serving board member (27 years) and chair (23 years) in South Coast AQMD’s history.

“I want to thank Dr. Burke for his unparalleled record of leadership, and I am proud of his work in crafting this rule and historic vote that furthers his legacy of a strong commitment to the environment,” said Supervisor Perez, who represents Riverside County on the South Coast AQMD Governing Board. “This policy cleans up the air our families, neighbors and communities breathe and improves public health of all in Southern California, while looking ahead to address air quality impacts and our continued growth.”

The warehouse indirect source rule, Rule 2305, and the associated Rule 316, adopted this afternoon, had been in the making for nearly 12 years.

The rule applies to warehouses larger than 100,000 square feet in the South Coast Air Basin, a four-county region that covers all or portions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Riverside County has 365 warehouse facilities, which is expected to increase as e-commerce increases and the warehouse sector expands eastward.

Warehouses can implement a variety of measures to comply with the requirements, including acquiring near-zero emission trucks, installing solar panels and transitioning to other clean technology, and paying mitigation fees to go back into communities impacted by warehouses. The district’s presentation on the rule highlighted that over 1,000 schools and daycares are located within a half-mile of a warehouse, impacted by higher exposure to air pollution and truck traffic.

Overall, it is estimated that the rule, combined with California Air Resources Board rules, will reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution by 10 to 15 percent by 2031 and provide 20 to 25 percent greater public health benefits in environmental justice communities, with public health benefits that will prevent deaths, reduce asthma attacks and reduce lost workdays.

The Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program will start in January 2022.

The new chair and vice-chair of the South Coast AQMD Governing Board are Wildomar Mayor Pro Tem Ben Benoit and State Senator (Ret.) Vanessa Delgado.

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Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River, the 4th District is the largest geographical district in the county.

Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.