The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is considering another proposal that would stymie the movement of essential goods, threaten the integrity of our supply chain, and inevitably lead to job loss and economic slow-down. This time, the proposed "indirect source rule" (ISR) would place a cap on the flow of goods coming into and out of Southern California ports. Under the rule, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach would have to reduce emissions from cars and trucks, aircraft, trains, ships, and other mobile equipment.
What would be helpful? Funding for new technologies that could further lower emissions without decimating jobs and disrupting essential goods movement. Instead, SCAQMD regulators are advancing a blanket cap on emissions without supporting mitigation efforts and mandating that terminal operators turn away cargo once they meet arbitrarily-set) emissions thresholds.
This also supports the growth of ports in other regions, boosting their regional economies while hurting ours. There are more sensible paths forward, especially after the Port of New York-New Jersey made headlines in 2022 for leading the nation in cargo volume, overtaking both the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Speak up by adding your logo to our coalition letter. Let our local representatives know there is broad-based opposition to this shortsighted proposal driven by misguided attempts to quickly and aggressively slash emissions. We support efforts to lower emissions through collaborative, market-based approaches that work. The proposed rule outlined above is not the answer.
Our fight doesn't end here. Additional efforts are underway to halt this proposal. Look out for more intel and marching orders soon. If you have questions or want to step up for frontline advocacy work, please contact sarah.wiltfong@bizfed.org.
In your corner,
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Tracy Hernandez
BizFed Founding CEO
