The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is developing new regulations that would have a substantial impact on NAIOP SoCal members. The South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.

To that end, AQMD is pursuing a rule to regulate distribution warehouses via an indirect source rule (ISR). The current draft rule has three main elements that would impose new regulations on warehouse owners and operators: reporting, emission reductions or fees and record keeping with no sunset provision.

AQMD staff is expected to bring a final proposed rule to the AQMD’s Board for approval in March of 2021. Due to the substantial impact this rule would have on NAIOP SoCal members, the chapter established an ISR Task Force to engage in both an advocacy and legal campaign.

NAIOP SoCal Executive Committee Member Fran Inman of Majestic Realty Co. and Task Force Chair shared, “Under Tim Jemal’s leadership, we are excited to stand up this task force to focus on the pending Indirect Source Rule. The proposed rule is targeted at the very sector that has been providing essential services by keeping goods/inventories flowing throughout the COVID pandemic. I encourage all my fellow NAIOP members to get engaged.”

The Task Force will meet on a regular basis to receive updates on the development of the rule and provide input on NAIOP SoCal’s position and comments to AQMD on this issue. NAIOP SoCal consultant Peter Herzog has been retained as the day-to-day liaison to AQMD on this critical issue.

We are still seeking members. If you are interested in serving on the ISR Task Force, contact Becky Ezell, bezell@naiopsocal.org.