Emissions Rule at Ports of LA/LB Needed to Avoid Harsher Regulation, Air Quality District Says

A potential Indirect Source Rule that the South Coast Air Quality Management District is considering, which would affect the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is necessary to avoid greater disruption from federal action should port emissions remain unaddressed, the district said in an email Sept. 1. It also said it is working with stakeholders to "come up with a proposed regulation that is feasible and can improve air quality without impacting cargo flows."

The South Coast Air Quality Management District was responding to a letter from trade groups, including the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, calling on the mayors of L.A. and Long Beach to reject the potential rule, arguing it would establish volume caps on port activities that would "restrict the delivery of critical imported goods" (see 2308280025).

In its emailed response, the district said the ISR is intended to curb “emissions for oxides of nitrogen (NOx),” which create smog that is “harming residents," adding that the L.A. “the worst smog levels in the country," causing an estimated 1,600 premature deaths. The San Pedro Bay Ports complex is “the largest single source of NOx in our region,” the district said.

If the air quality management district fails to curb NOx emissions, the federal government will “impose economic sanctions” that will result in “the loss of billions of federal highway funds” and a “draconian federal plan that could well cap port cargo volumes,” it said.

The district said it has "discussed preliminary rule concepts with interested stakeholders, including a variety of ways in which the ports can comply, including some in the industry that do not feel the same way, and are working with them to come up with a proposed regulation that is feasible and can improve air quality without impacting cargo flows."

It said no proposed rule has been released, and added that "conclusions about a rule that has not yet been finished or released is not based on fact and is frankly irresponsible. It is clear, that these comments are coming from a sector of the industry that is not interested in meaningful engagement to find solutions to reduce their emissions and impact on residents in our region."

Reached for subsequent comment, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association emailed us: "More than 110 national, statewide and local organizations, as well as organized labor, highlighted concerns about [South Coast Air Quality Management District] staff’s initial proposal that would have a devastating impact on California jobs, the national supply chain and the competitiveness of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Our fact-based statement is based on [air quality management district] staff’s public proposal and public presentations it has made throughout the South Coast region. Should staff revise its public language, we will review and modify our language accordingly. Until then, a broad-based coalition remains strongly opposed to the draft proposed rule and has significant concerns about its potential, far-reaching impact."