More than two-thirds of the warehouses in Southern California, which are required to comply with an air-quality rule, have not done so, putting them at risk of facing penalties of up to $11,710 per day, according to an announcement by the South Coast Air Quality Management District on Wednesday.
The Warehouse Indirect Source Rule was passed by the AQMD in May 2021, mandating warehouses greater than 100,000 square feet to take measures to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions or limit air pollution in nearby communities.
A total of 2,000 warehouses fall under the two-year-old rule, with 1,400 currently not in compliance, stated the regulatory agency.
“Time is up for those who haven’t complied with our rule,” said SCAQMD Executive Officer Wayne Nastri. “Warehouse owners and operators have been aware of these deadlines for two years. The communities near these facilities deserve clean air to breathe, and our enforcement teams will take swift action to ensure compliance as soon as possible.”
Warehouses are major hubs for heavy-duty trucks and have other sources of emissions, such as cargo handling equipment, all of which contribute to local pollution. According to the AQMD, emissions from these sources are nearly equivalent to the NOx emissions of all refineries, power plants, and other stationary sources in the South Coast Air Basin combined.
The agency found that individuals living within a half-mile of warehouses are at a higher risk of asthma and heart attacks, enduring greater environmental burdens. The clean-air rule is projected to reduce smog-forming emissions by 10%-15% from warehouse-related sources, as per the AQMD.
Since its implementation in 2021, the agency has been identifying and reaching out to warehouses, providing them with information, training, and assistance to ensure compliance. This week, the agency issued a compliance advisory to warehouse owners and operators, outlining the rule requirements and past deadlines.
The SCAQMD’s enforcement team is preparing to issue violation notices that may lead to daily penalties and further legal action. The agency will prioritize warehouses located in Environmental Justice communities, which are lower-income communities disproportionately affected by pollution, including those near freeways and industrial facilities.
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