New Jersey lawmakers want warehouse operators to cut their air pollution — especially from the cargo and delivery trucks that constantly churn through the massive complexes.
A measure filed in both chambers of the state Legislature would force owners of warehouses larger than 50,000 square feet to reduce their emissions, which spew into the atmosphere and surrounding neighborhoods.
Operators would have several options to slash air pollution, such as buying zero-emission trucks, using zero-emission forklifts and other equipment, installing solar generation and switching some cargo out of trucks into light-duty vehicles or ferries.
The legislation is similar to a pollution-reduction plan for warehouses adopted by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District for so-called indirect source of pollution. It was introduced Friday, a few days after a report showed that one in three New Jersey residents live within a half-mile of a large warehouse.
