This model law aims to address the pollution generated by new indirect sources, which attract increased vehicle traffic and mobile sources of pollution. While the pollution from these sources may not be significant individually, the vehicles they attract contribute to air pollution in the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, high-traffic facilities and major roadways are often located in low-income communities and communities of color, which already face multiple sources of pollution and public health stressors.
As e-commerce expands and the demand for warehouses and distribution centers rises, emissions from shipping trucks and other polluting sources pose a greater risk to nearby communities. To mitigate pollution from indirect sources, this bill imposes new permitting requirements on the construction or expansion of facilities that attract significant traffic in designated environmental justice areas.
By requiring permits for new indirect sources in these areas, the bill enhances government review and fosters community engagement in the siting process. This ensures greater oversight and creates opportunities for the community to have a say in the development of these facilities.
This document was prepared by WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law separate from the LPDD Project. With the permission of these organizations, it is being included here as part of the implementation project of Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization For more information on the collaboration between WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, see http://DismantlingInjustice.org.