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Southern California Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emission (WAIRE) Rule
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in early October 2023 that it will move to approve the California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Indirect Source Rule (ISR) Rule 2305. This rule requires warehouses in the Southern California region to transition to zero-emissions operations by way of deploying electric trucks, charging infrastructure, and onsite renewable energy resources. This agency approval will strengthen the rule and allow greater enforceability for the Air District.
The Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program is a method for warehouses to comply with Rule 2305, where operators can either earn points from a menu of options, deploy a custom plan, or pay the mitigation fee of $1,000 per WAIRE point. Among the menu of options to reduce onsite emissions:
- Installation of charging infrastructure
- Deployment of electric yard trucks
- Procurement of electric on-road trucks
- Installation of onsite solar
- Installation or replacement of air filters
Warehouses with more than 100,000 square feet of indoor space in a single building are regulated under WAIRE and must submit a report to SCAQMD annually, demonstrating its compliance to earn the required number of points.
With the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule ready to take effect in January 2024 and available funding opportunities for the transition, warehouse operators must now navigate additional complexities to ensure compliance with various levels of policies. Operators who procure trucks through one of the many state funding opportunities like the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) and the Carl Moyer program may not be allowed to use the same truck to earn WAIRE points. Similarly, trucks procured to meet ACF compliance requirements may not be used to generate WAIRE points.
As warehouse operators and fleets journey through the electric vehicle transition, a well-rounded, zero-emissions transportation and building strategy that incorporates all policy and business requirements will be key to achieving compliance while mitigating disruption to company operations.
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Want to learn more? Join our upcoming policy webinar on January 25, 2024! It will focus on key regulatory compliance dates for zero-emission vehicles, including the Advance Clean Fleets (ACF) and Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program. Click here to register.
