WAIRE: What Warehouses Need To Know About Rule 2305
Trucks are the largest source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. With the booming expansion of industrial development, the biggest concern from neighboring communities has been the impact of trucks including air pollution which directly impacts those who live near warehouses. The purpose of Rule 2305 is to reduce NOx and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions to support meeting state and federal air quality standards.
What is the WAIRE program?
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) adopted Rule 2305, also known as the Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR). The rule requires warehouse owners and operators to earn WAIRE Points (Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions) from a menu-based points system (you can view the long list of points of the WARE Menu here.)
Who must comply?
Owners and operators of warehouses with 100,000 square feet or more of indoor floor space in a single building.
Implementation schedule
2022: Warehouses equal to or greater than 250,00 square feet
2023: Warehouses equal to or greater than 150,00 square feet
2024: Warehouses equal to or greater than 100,00 square feet
Alternatively,
warehouse operations who do not meet compliance can may a mitigation fee of $1,000 per WAIRE point. The fees will be used to incentivize the purchase of cleaner trucks and charging/fueling infrastructure in nearby communities.
To view the latest info on Rule 2305 visit AQMD.
GAIA’s Experience
By attending entitlement meetings for clients, it’s clear that community pushback is not against warehouse buildings as much as they are against truck trips. Most of the community questions and concerns have been related to trucks. People care about truck pollution, road safety, and road wear and tear.
GAIA’s role with clients is to support anything related to building better buildings as it effects environmental and human health, and communicating these efforts to stakeholders. Over the years we’ve supported clients through development agreements, community meetings, and entitlements with in-person and visual presentations, Q&A, education, and calculating sustainability metrics of projects.
Electrifying long-haul trucks
To mitigate the air pollution effect of warehouse trucks,
✓ Improves air quality in the surrounding community
✓ Addresses neighborhood concerns
✓ Aligns with ESG and Sustainability goals
✓ Points available in the LEED rating system
✓ Development agreements increasingly require EV-charging infrastructure
✓ New regulations are requiring cleaner vehicle fleets
Rule 2305 – Applicability
This rule applies to owners and operators of warehouses located in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) jurisdiction with greater than or equal to 100,000 square feet of indoor floor space in a single building.
