200 Business, Union, and Agriculture Organizations Urge Mayors Bass and Richardson to Oppose Air District’s Indirect Source Rule For Seaports
Contact: Natasha Villa, External Affairs Manager
nvilla@pmsaship.com
562-241-0433
Letter Requests Mayors to Support a Plan to Build Necessary Clean Air Infrastructure at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach
LOS ANGELES, CA – Over 200 national, statewide, regional, and local businesses, organized labor, agricultural, and other organizations sent a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson today requesting that they oppose the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) adoption of an indirect source rule (ISR) for seaports. The proposed Port ISR would result in capping cargo at the ports, negatively impacting port jobs and the regional economy. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (Ports) are already the cleanest in North America, and the proposed Port ISR would divert cargo to dirtier ports in other states across the country, as well as to ports in Mexico and Canada.
Instead, the letter requests that Mayors Bass and Richardson take a leadership role in developing a comprehensive plan to build the infrastructure necessary to support current and future needs related to zero-emission infrastructure and equipment at the Ports and Southern California’s intermodal supply chain.
Without necessary infrastructure, the proposed Port ISR would result in a cap on cargo volumes and ultimately punish ports, marine terminal operators, and supply chain workers who have already worked hard to reduce diesel pollution by 90%. Caps on cargo will significantly impact the Ports’ economic viability, limit industry's ability to fund investments in zero-emission infrastructure and equipment needed for further emissions reductions, and dramatically impact jobs throughout Southern California and beyond.
“There is broad agreement that it would be more effective and productive to forego an ISR and instead focus on an infrastructure program to support current and future needs related to zero-emissions infrastructure and equipment,” said Thomas Jelenić, Vice President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. “The infrastructure alternative is a ‘win-win’ scenario that preserves jobs, the regional economy, and state and local tax revenues while also assuring the development of the infrastructure and equipment necessary to achieve emission reductions.”
“We are extremely proud of the environmental progress that has been made and remain fully committed to reducing emissions and enhancing air quality as we are often the ones most impacted,” added Gary Herrera, President, ILWU Local 13. “But it is also essential that any regulatory efforts be balanced between improving the environment while also protecting the economy and workers at the ports who play a key role in supporting local communities. A Port ISR would impose excessive burdens that disrupt operations, divert cargo, and decimate our jobs and jobs throughout Southern California and beyond. We support practical solutions that support zero-emission infrastructure and equipment without jeopardizing tens of thousands of jobs that rely on the success of our Ports.”
The Ports support 3.1 million jobs and generate $19.93 billion in labor income. Mayors Bass and Richardson have a golden opportunity to pursue forward-looking policies that continue the Ports’ leading environmental progress and prepare the San Pedro Bay Port Complex to remain the most vibrant port-of-call in the United States.
About the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
The ILWU represents longshore workers, warehouse workers, and many other workers along the West Coast of North America, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. Our over 40,000 members play an integral role in the global supply chain and have done so since our founding in 1934.
About the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA)
PMSA is an independent, not-for-profit association which represents owners and operators of marine terminals, ocean carriers, and vessels operating on the US West Coast. PMSA maintains offices in Oakland, Long Beach, and Seattle.
About NoPortsISR.com:
District leadership and staff are developing an ISR threatening jobs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The proposed rule imposes an emissions cap that stops imports and exports at the Ports. This proposal would negatively impact jobs, disrupt Southern California’s and the state’s economy, and lead to shortages on store shelves. It would also hurt California farmers’ ability to export their products to other U.S. states and overseas markets. To learn more, visit www.NoPortISR.com.