CCAEJ COMMENDS SCAQMD's ADOPTION OF A STRONG INDIRECT SOURCES RULE

CCAEJ COMMENDS SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ADOPTION OF A STRONG INDIRECT SOURCE RULE

For Immediate Release

5/7/2021

Contact: Faraz Rizvi

faraz.r@ccaej.org

951-850-5598

THE PASSAGE OF A STRONG INDIRECT SOURCE RULE WILL GO A LONG WAY TO PROTECT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES FROM DIESEL POLLUTION BY WAREHOUSES

Jurupa Valley, CA – We commend the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the adoption of an Indirect Sources Rule (ISR) which will reduce NoX emissions in the Southern California region. For over 7 hours, community members gave public comments recognizing the impact that the logistics industry has on the air quality in their communities. The passage of the ISR is the culmination of years of work mobilizing against the Logistics Industry and advocating for disadvantaged communities in front of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

“This isn't just a big policy victory, this is a victory for communities and organizers that have been mobilizing against the Diesel Death Zones in our backyard. The significant 9-4 vote demonstrated SCAQMD's commitment to prioritizing the community and the environment,” said Alma Marquez, Executive Director with CCAEJ who also gave a public comment in the board meeting today.

In steep focus during public comment was the health impact that diesel pollution has on communities and what this rule means. The passage of a strong ISR will hold industry accountable for the diesel pollution that imposes health burdens in the Southern California basin, especially in its most vulnerable communities. The ISR will also push for investments in California’s electrification infrastructure and keep the region on track to meeting emissions targets.

“While this rule is a crucial step in pushing for cleaner trucks, this only is one piece of a larger strategy and we need local, state and federal agencies to come together and make real change. The rule is a big win, but we still will need to work closely to ensure implementation of the rule and to continue to fight on behalf of the marginalized communities who spoke up today,” said Liz Pinney Muglia, Policy Director for the CCAEJ.

CCAEJ is a long-standing community based organization with over 40 years of experience advocating for environmental justice through strategic campaigns and building a base of community power. Most notably, CCAEJ’s founder Penny Newman won a landmark federal case against Stringfellow Construction which resulted in the Stringfellow Acid Pits’ being declared one of the first Superfund sites in the nation. CCAEJ prioritizes community voices as we continue our grassroots efforts to bring lasting environmental justice to the Inland Empire.

Courtesy of Daniel Reyes/CCAEJ Media Specialist