Sacramento, CA —
Today, Assemblymember Robert Garcia introduced the California Clean Skies Act (AB 1777), a bill that equips California policymakers with the tools they need to improve the state’s air quality. The legislation affirms the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) authority to regulate “indirect sources” that attract activity from polluting vehicles and equipment. The law builds on the success of regional indirect source rules already adopted in the state. Earthjustice is sponsoring the legislation.
“Given the hostilities towards clean air from Washington, DC, I introduced this bill to clarify and safeguard California’s authority to clean up our air,” said Assemblymember Robert Garcia (D – Rancho Cucamonga). “California is leading the charge against the federal administration to ensure our air standards remain high. Assembly Bill 1777 will ensure our state has the tools it needs to prevent the Trump Administration’s rollback of our landmark air quality laws.”
A suburban community lives in the shadow of mega-warehouses in Jurupa Valley, California. (MattGush / Getty Images)
In the face of attacks from the federal government, Californians have been left vulnerable to dangerous pollution, stalling the state’s momentum and setting us back years in our fight for clean air. The federal rollback of California’s life-saving vehicle standards will result in a dramatic increase of health-harming air pollution for the next generation of Californians. According to CARB, these rollbacks will send 14,500 Californians to an early death and lead to 6,700 additional emergency room visits. California needs additional tools in its toolbox to make up for these serious setbacks.
“In the face of the Trump administration’s full retreat on air pollution, it’s critical that the California Legislature pass the California Clean Skies Act to equip our state with the necessary tools to clean our air,” said Ada Waelder, Senior State Legislative Representative at Earthjustice. “California risks being left behind as countries around the world cut smog from the worst polluters on their roads and shift to modern vehicles. The state of our skies, the health of our lungs, and California’s clean energy economy depend on this bill.”
“SEIU California and the 50,000 members of USWW strongly support AB 1777, authored by Assemblymember Garcia. Every day, SEIU members and other working Californians confront indirect sources of air pollution in their workplaces and neighborhoods from a variety of sources, including airports, warehouses, railroads and ports,” said David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU USWW. “This bill will clarify CARB’s role in setting Indirect Source Rules, an important step in holding polluters accountable.”
In 2021, the Los Angeles regional air district passed an indirect source rule to tackle pollution from Southern California’s mega-warehouses. Last month, regulators in Southern California presented their findings on how industry is complying with the region’s warehouse pollution program, and the results show that the rule is working as intended. Regulators estimated that in 2024, the warehouse policy reduced pollution by 1.47 tons per day of nitrogen oxides and led to significant reductions of diesel particulate matter.
Staff also found that the 4,000 mega-warehouses in Southern California are complying with the rule, and even going above and beyond the rule’s minimum standards. Plus, the program has not driven warehouses to flee to new places: Since the rule was adopted, the warehouse industry in the region has steadily grown, which goes to show that we don’t have to choose between clean air and a strong economy.
“Californians deserve clean air and are counting on policies to deliver solutions to protect their health,” said Will Barrett with the American Lung Association. “Too many communities are subject to heavy doses of pollution in their neighborhood and need relief from daily health risks. More than ever, California must lead the way on cleaning up our air and the California Clean Skies Act offers tools to do it.”
Now more than ever, California leaders must serve as a bulwark against the Trump administration’s reckless attacks on the state’s ability to meaningfully reduce pollution and improve the lives of Californians. Indirect source policies deliver clean air and boost the economy by incentivizing industries to grow sustainably and adopt cutting-edge clean technologies. The California Clean Skies Act ensures our leaders have the right tools to rein in pollution from some of the state’s worst polluters.