The Californer - South Coast AQMD Governing Board Adopts Rail Yards Indirect Source Rule

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DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Aug. 2, 2024 ~ The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board has taken a significant step towards reducing air pollution in the region by adopting Rule 2306, also known as the Freight Rail Yards Indirect Source Rule (ISR). This rule requires rail yard operators to implement measures to meet specific emission reduction targets, with an expected reduction of 10.5 tons of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) per day between 2027 and 2050.

The ISR is designed to work in conjunction with regulations recently adopted by the California Air Resources Board, ensuring that rail yards in the South Coast Air Basin are actively reducing emissions. Under this rule, freight rail yards will be required to achieve up to 82% emissions reductions by 2037 through various actions such as implementing cleaner technologies and using lower emitting equipment.

Vanessa Delgado, Chair of the South Coast AQMD's Governing Board, expressed her support for the adoption of this rule, stating that while no single regulation can achieve federal air quality standards on its own, this is a significant step in the right direction. She emphasized that many communities, parks, and schools are surrounded by sources associated with rail yards and will directly benefit from today's action. Delgado also reaffirmed the agency's commitment to continue reducing emissions for the betterment of their communities.

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According to data from South Coast AQMD, more than 80% of NOx emissions in the region come from mobile sources, with nearly half of these coming from goods movement. These emissions are a major contributor to smog and meeting federal clean air standards is essential for improving air quality. The agency also highlighted that communities throughout the region are exposed to harmful pollutants caused by mobile sources going to and from rail yards.

Yassi Kavezade, Senior Campaign Advisor for Sierra Club, commended the agency for passing this rule and stressed the importance of holding regulators accountable until it is fully implemented. Kavezade noted that the Inland Empire and Los Angeles regions are all too familiar with the negative effects of air pollution from goods movement, and this rule will help mitigate those impacts.

The Rail Yards ISR applies to owners or operators of proposed, new, and existing freight rail yards within South Coast AQMD's jurisdiction. As part of the rule, these owners and operators will be required to report on their use of zero-emission infrastructure to support state regulations and meet broader federal and state goals. Additionally, state and local government agencies must ensure compliance with the rule when entering, renewing, or amending contracts with rail yard facilities. The ISR covers approximately 25 facilities located throughout the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.

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The development of the Rail Yards ISR was a collaborative effort that spanned seven years and involved extensive outreach to various stakeholders. This included engaging with communities impacted by freight rail yard emissions, potentially affected businesses and industries, environmental organizations, trade associations, public agencies, and others.

The rule will become effective after receiving approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) for associated rules on locomotives and drayage truck fleets. Freight rail yards covered by this rule include locations where locomotive switching activities occur or where cargo is loaded or unloaded from railcars using the operator's locomotives. Emissions associated with these yards come from locomotives, drayage trucks, cargo handling equipment (CHE), and miscellaneous off-road equipment such as transportation refrigeration units (TRUs).

South Coast AQMD is responsible for regulating air quality in large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. For updates on news, air quality alerts, events, and more information about their efforts to improve air quality in the region visit www.aqmd.gov or follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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