FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO, May 15, 2026
Contact: Arturo Garcia, arturo.jgs@gmail.com, 619-496-3053
Links:
- Website: Environmental Health Coalition
- Fact sheet: Warehouse Indirect Source Rule
- Photos and b-roll of press conference
Community Members Condemn Failure to Advance Warehouse Pollution Rulemaking Process
- Residents say delay leaves portside and border communities exposed to ongoing diesel truck pollution as federal clean air protections weaken
- San Diego neighborhoods near warehouses continue facing some of California’s highest diesel pollution and asthma rates
WHAT
The San Diego Air Pollution Control District on Thursday failed to advance a proposed Countywide Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR), a development process for a policy intended to reduce pollution from warehouses and heavy-duty diesel truck traffic in communities near major freight corridors and ports of entry. ISRs have a proven track record of reducing air pollution.
The decision came after testimony from residents, environmental advocates, and public health experts, as well as a community rally outside the County Administration Center attended by residents from Barrio Logan, National City, San Ysidro, and Otay Mesa.
The proposed rule development process would have explored ways for warehouses and distribution facilities to reduce emissions associated with truck traffic and freight activity through measures such as zero-emission trucks, charging infrastructure, and cleaner freight operations.
WHY
Advocates say the decision leaves communities exposed to ongoing diesel pollution at a time when federal clean air protections are increasingly uncertain.
San Diego was recently ranked the fifth-worst region in the nation for year-round particle pollution and seventh worst for ozone pollution. Diesel pollution in portside and border communities is linked to serious health harms, including cancer, premature death, and increased hospitalizations for heart and lung disease, as well as higher rates of asthma and reduced lung function in children. Diesel emissions are responsible for 84% of cancer risk from air pollution in portside neighborhoods and 79% in border neighborhoods. Neighborhoods including Barrio Logan, West National City, and Otay Mesa experience diesel pollution exposure levels higher than 90% of California communities.
Heavy-duty diesel trucks remain a major source of pollution in these areas. Although medium- and heavy-duty trucks make up only 1% of vehicles in San Diego County, they produce 13% of diesel particulate matter emissions.
Residents and health advocates say local action is especially important after federal actions weakened California’s authority to enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards.
THE VOTE, RESULTS
The San Diego Air Pollution Control District Governing Board is made up of county supervisors, local elected officials, and public appointees with environmental justice, public health, and scientific expertise.
The board voted 5-4 against initiating the ISR development process. The vote was not on adopting a final rule, but on whether to begin a public rulemaking process to develop one.
Below is how each board member voted:
- Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Representative — Yes
- Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Representative — Absent
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego Member At-Large — No
- National City Councilmember Marcus Bush, District 1 Representative — No
- Santee Councilmember Laura Koval, District 2 Representative — No
- Coronado Mayor John Duncan, District 3 Representative — No
- City of San Diego Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, District 4 Representative — Absent
- Escondido Councilmember Judy Fitzgerald, District 5 Representative — No
- Dr. Anne Marie Birkbeck-Garcia, Public Health Representative — Yes
- Georgette Gomez, Environmental Justice Representative — Yes
- Paula Stigler Granados, Scientific and Technical Representative — Yes
QUOTE
“Yesterday’s decision ignores the reality families in portside and border communities face every day,” said José Franco Garcia, executive director of Environmental Health Coalition. “Children are growing up surrounded by diesel truck traffic, warehouses, and some of the worst air pollution in the country. Federal protections have been rolled back, local leaders should be stepping up for public health, not delaying action. While the motion ultimately failed, we thank Paloma Aguirre, Anne Marie Birkbeck-Garcia, Georgette Gomez, and Paula Stigler Granados for voting to move the ISR process forward.”
“Yesterday’s decision is a disappointing failure to confront one of the fastest-growing sources of harmful air pollution in our region,” said Charles Rilli, deputy chapter director at the Sierra Club San Diego. “Communities living near warehouses and logistics facilities continue to bear the burden of diesel pollution, increased asthma rates, and other serious health impacts while the Air District delays action.
An Indirect Source Rule is a proven tool to reduce emissions, improve air quality and protect public health. Refusing to even begin the rulemaking process ignores both the science and the voices of impacted residents. The majority of the governing board chose to protect industry operators rather than push forward in starting a rulemaking process to protect our community and residents. The transition to a zero-emission transportation sector is here, and we need bold local action to mandate emission reductions from these operations. Sierra Club San Diego will continue pushing for bold action to protect public health and advance environmental justice.”
“This delay leaves a heavy burden on our families,” said Anthony Dang, policy and community outreach manager at Climate Action Campaign. “Diesel soot is a double hit: it pollutes the air we breathe while trapping intense heat right in our backyards. We can’t claim to be climate leaders while we let trucks cook our atmosphere and congest our communities. Our neighborhoods deserve action now, not more empty promises.”
Links:
Contact: Arturo Garcia, arturo.jgs@gmail.com, 619-496-3053
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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION
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.