Emissions from trucks, ships and terminal yard equipment have been regulated in California and significant reductions have been achieved.
But, the reductions and path to zero-emission trucks are not moving fast enough for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) who has drafted the first of its kind “indirect sourcing” rule. If passed this April, the AQMD will hold warehouses responsible for the emissions of trucks generated while at their facilities.
The proposed rule would apply to facilities 100,000sqft or larger and employs a points system requiring the distribution center to either take action to utilize zero-emission trucks or face penalties.
This rule leaves more questions than answers…the first of which is how can a warehouse, which does not operate a trucks, regulate the truck fleets of others?
If successful in Southern California, expect such regulations to expand to Northern California and other states around the country.