NATIONAL CITY PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED AGAINST USDG’S PROPOSED FUEL TRANSFER STATION
USD Group’s proposed fuel transfer station would increase lung-damaging diesel truck traffic within a mile of an elementary school, homes, and a church in National City.
NATIONAL CITY, CA, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 – The National City Planning Commission voted against approval (4 to 1) of USD Group LLC’s (USDG) proposed fuel transfer station. This project would be located less than a mile from Kimball Elementary School and Saint Anthony de Padua Church and would require the service of 72 lung-damaging, diesel-polluting oil tankers a day. Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma. USDG is expected to appeal the decision to the National City Council.
“The community has made it loud and clear they do not want this dangerous project in their neighborhood poisoning the lungs of their children,” said Jose Franco Garcia, the executive director of Environmental Health Coalition. “The commissioners did the right thing by listening to the community and rejecting USDG’s fuel transfer station. If USDG chooses to appeal the decision, we have a strong coalition that will continue to push the National City Council to choose the health of its residents over corporate profit and stop this project.”
Prior to the Commission’s vote, EHC, Olivewood Gardens, and SanDiego350 held a rally at Kimball Park against the controversial project.
“As a clergy person, I consider it would be an immoral action to increase the amount of toxic gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels by up to 72 large trucks passing through National City every day, adding to the already bad air quality in this area of National City,” said Father Emmet Farrell, founder/member of Creation Care Ministry.
Following the rally, the coalition marched to City Hall to attend the Commission’s public hearing on the project. Close to 40 people gave testimony against USDG.
“I have a son with asthma, and I can see his struggle to breathe,” testified Margarita Morales, a National City resident, during the hearing. “Our health is more important than money.”
USD Group has agreed to pay National City $200,000 a year in “economic benefit” for the life of the project. These funds would not have to be used for clean air or health improvement projects to mitigate the harmful effects of the transfer station. According to Data USA, as of 2023, National City is home to an estimated 55,960 residents. $200,000 divided by 55,960 is just over $3.50. USD Group is anticipating that the fuel transfer station will receive 13,800 barrels of biofuel a day. On average, a barrel of biofuel costs $140, per the U.S. Department of Energy. The company will be bringing in an estimated $2 million a day.
“We are so thankful that the Planning Commission chose to protect the health of our children and community over the minimal short-term gain USDG is offering,” said Jen Nation, the executive director of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center. “We are calling on the National City Council to do the same! Our health, the health of our families, and the health of Kimball Elementary School shouldn’t have a price tag — it is priceless.”
In advance of a possible National City Council vote, EHC is asking residents to email the Council and demand they REJECT USDG’s proposed fuel transfer station. To send the email, visit bit.ly/RejectUSDG-email. Si hablas español, puedes enviarlo desde aquí: bit.ly/RECHAZEN-USDG-correo.
EHC gathered over 1,000 signatures urging the National City Council to reject USDG’s Fuel Transfer Station. By unanimous vote, the National School District passed a proclamation opposing the transfer station – linked here. The transfer station is also opposed by the Local 1931 of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, California Nurses Assocation, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AB 617 Portside Environmental Justice Community Steering Committee, and Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice.
BACKGROUND:
USD Group, LLC (USDG) is proposing to build a fuel transfer station in National City, on West 18th St, less than a ½ mile away from Kimball Elementary and St. Anthony of Padua Church. Railcars would carry toxic fuel to the station and transfer it to heavy-duty trucks to distribute it throughout San Diego.
Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this project would dramatically increase the number of diesel-polluting trucks driving past National City homes, schools, parks, and churches. West National City already breathes more diesel pollution than 90% of communities in CA. Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma.
The trains and trucks associated with this project would carry large quantities of highly flammable, toxic chemicals. If they crash or have an accident, it puts the neighborhood at risk of a major catastrophe, like in Palestine, Ohio, where a train carrying chemicals crashed, causing a fire and evacuations.
On Monday, June 2, 2025, the National City Planning Commission postponed its original vote on the project at the request of the California Coastal Commission. In a letter, the Coastal Commission requested “…additional time for our staffs to work together to address the project’s inconsistencies with the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) and the Coastal Act…” The letter also read, “the city’s responses to commission staff’s comments regarding environmental justice concerns have been inadequate.”
KEY FACTS:
- The station would require 70-240 heavy-duty diesel trucks (oil tankers) per day
- Diesel emissions are known to cause cancer, damage lungs, and contribute to breathing problems like asthma
- West National City already breathes more diesel pollution than 90% of communities in CA
- Children in National City have a higher rate of asthma emergency room visits than the county average
- In Portside communities, 84% of cancer risk is from diesel pollution
To learn more, visit bit.ly/USDGFuel25, and to download the fact sheet – click here. You can read the California Coastal Commission’s letter here.
CONTACT:
Angelica Estrada
angelicae@environmentalhealth.org
562-708-3093
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Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) works for environmental justice in the San Diego/Tijuana region and throughout California. Founded in 1980, EHC has worked to reduce pollution and improve health and well-being for thousands of people in underserved, low-income communities.
