Last year, I rallied other Members of Congress from the Inland Empire together to call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to crack down on warehouses that were dodging their environmental responsibilities. I am happy to report that the EPA has listened and approved a local air quality regulation, South Coast Air Quality Management District’s WAIRE Program, that will help improve our air quality.  

 

The WAIRE Program requires warehouses to offset their emissions by using zero-emission vehicles, installing more vehicle charging stations and solar panels, and more. 

 

The Inland Empire is no stranger to air pollution. Through goods movement by semi trucks and emissions blown inland from the Port of LA and Long Beach, Riverside County has some of the worst air quality in the country.  

 

Last year, I published a report on the air quality in our community. This report found that Riverside County experiences high levels of harmful emissions, which lead to health complications like asthma, cancer, and heart disease. This approval from the EPA is a great step in making communities in the Inland Empire healthier and safer.  

 

I look forward to seeing these nation-leading rules go into effect. California has historically led the charge in environmental policy, and I am thankful for the EPA’s partnership in ensuring our community’s health and safety.