Port Indirect Source Rule Newsletter #14

Coalition Update: Board Votes to Pause Ports ISR Rulemaking – Thanks to You!

A Major Step Forward: 45-Day Pause Secured on Ports ISR Rulemaking

Last Friday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board voted 7–5 to pause rulemaking efforts for 45 days to allow for good-faith negotiations between SCAQMD staff, the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach following the Ports’ forwarding an alternative proposal (referred to as the Ports’ Cooperative Agreement).

This decision follows the Ports’ submission of a joint alternative proposal to Rule 2304 – one that offers a collaborative, non-regulatory path to reducing emissions through the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), while protecting cargo volumes, lease terms, and jobs.

Rather than present the proposal directly, SCAQMD staff framed the Board’s choices as one of three options:

1. Disregard the Ports’ proposal

2. Pause ISR rulemaking to negotiate

3. Pursue a dual track of rulemaking and negotiations

After a robust public comment period and discussion, Supervisor Nguyen’s motion to pause rulemaking and focus on negotiations passed, giving all parties until September 18 to work toward an agreement. If negotiations progress well, a final Negotiated Agreement may be brought to the Board. If no agreement is reached, SCAQMD staff will send out draft Rule 2304 on Sept. 19th to meet the SCAQMD’s 75-day clock for rulemaking.

Incredible Coalition Support

We are proud to share that more than 51 coalition members testified in support of the Ports’ proposal – outnumbering the opposition nearly 2 to 1. Our speakers included representatives from:

• The Ports of LA and Long Beach

• Terminal operators and ocean carriers

• Labor unions

• Business groups from LA and across the state, including local chambers of commerce

• Agriculture, retail, trucking, and many additional industry stakeholders

We also saw strong support from both Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Mayor Rex Richardson of Long Beach, whose offices submitted a joint statement urging the Board to pursue a collaborative path. Your voices made a difference – and we cannot thank you enough for showing up and speaking out.

Next Steps

While this vote is a victory, our work is far from complete. The next 45 days are critical. We must continue to push for a cooperative solution that delivers real emissions reductions without threatening the economic future of the San Pedro Bay port complex.

We will be in touch with more updates and action items in the weeks ahead.

In Case You Missed It: Gene Seroka & Mario Cordero on the Path Forward

In a joint op-ed published last week, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero laid out a clear message: we don’t have to choose between cleaner air and a strong working waterfront.

Titled "A path forward to cleaner air at the ports," their piece urges the SCAQMD to pursue a collaborative, voluntary approach rooted in the proven success of the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). They emphasize the importance of measurable emissions reductions, without caps on cargo or added bureaucracy.

As the 45-day negotiation window begins, their perspective underscores a key truth: real and lasting progress comes from partnership, not overbearing mandates.

The Mistakes of the Past, the Opportunities of the Future

By Thomas Jelenić, Vice President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association

In a recent opinion piece, Thomas Jelenić of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) warns that the South Coast Air Quality Management District risks repeating California’s past environmental missteps by pursuing a rigid, top-down approach through its proposed Port Indirect Source Rule. He argues that California’s air quality gains stemmed from technological leadership and broad alignment, not unilateral mandates. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, through decades of stakeholder collaboration via the Clean Air Action Plan, have already cut diesel particulate matter by 91% since 2006. To read the article, click here or visit www.pmsaship.com.

Say #NoPortISR

If you know of anyone who should be added to this newsletter, please have them contact Natasha Villa at nvilla@pmsaship.com.