Organizations to Mayor Bass: Deliver on Campaign Commitments and Champion AQMD’s Clean Port and Rail Rules 

Groups held a“die-in” and rally in front of Los Angeles City Hall prior to city council meeting

 LOS ANGELES (April 26, 2024) —T.H.E. Impact Project and eight climate, environmental justice and community organizations held a rally and “die-in” on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall on the morning of Friday, April 26, 2024 during “Earth Week.” Lead by T.H.E. Impact Project with allies, Pacific Environment, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, Sierra Club, West Long Beach Neighborhood Association, MoveLA and Coalition for Clean Air, advocates held signs asking Mayor Bass to “Save lives with AQMD’s Rail and Port ISRs.” 

The groups held the “die-in” to highlight the urgency of Mayor Bass championing the Air Quality Management District (AQMD)’s upcoming Port and Rail Indirect Source Rules to cleanup harmful fossil-fueled ship, rail, and port emissions that have adversely affected the health of environmental justice communities in Los Angeles and Long Beach for far too long. The advocates also testified during the city council meeting. 

Fossil fueled diesel-powered semi-trailers and trains, which load up at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with the goods brought in by dirty ships, have resulted in hotter temperatures, increased rates of respiratory diseases and up to 8 years shorter life expectancy in Los Angeles County port-adjacent communities. 

Groups are calling on Mayor Karen Bass to keep her election promises to address the climate emergency, environmental injustice, and cleaning up the port, while achieving 100% zero emissions for all port operations by 2030. Mayor Bass must stick to her promises by working with AQMD to implement strong Port and Rail Indirect Source Rules that will protect port-adjacent communities and address the largest single source of pollution in Southern California: the San Pedro Bay ports. As the ports have seen continued gains in the amount of imports handled compared to last year, now is the time to implement the strongest rules possible to reduce emissions associated with the movement of goods and create a climate resilient future that protects communities and the planet.

STATEMENTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS:

“We gathered on the steps of LA City Hall today to call on Mayor Bass to clean up LA’s railways and ports. The fight for health and environmental equity in Los Angeles and Long Beach for our frontline, Black and Brown, working-class communities has been an ongoing struggle for decades–and still, every election cycle our hopeful communities will turn out and vote for elected officials who promise to rectify this history of environmental racism — only to be disappointed. This is why, Pacific Environment is calling on Mayor Karen Bass to stick to her campaign promises of working with all levels of government to reduce the negative health and environmental impacts of fossil-fueled pollution.We’re asking her to deliver on these promises by supporting South Coast AQMD’s Rail and Ports ISR,” said Cristhian Tapia-Delgado (He/Him), Climate Campaigner, Southern California at Pacific Environment.

“Southern California’s air quality challenges are enormous; not only do we have the smoggiest air in the nation, but our air violates national clean air standards. In other words, our air is so dirty, it’s illegal. And the sad truth is that our most vulnerable communities – including my own – bear the brunt of the burden. We don’t have to choose between a healthy economy and healthy communities; and in fact, continued inaction threatens both due to increasingly likely federal intervention. The question is – do our leaders have the political will to support a strong ISR and clean air for all?” said Chris Chavez, Long Beach resident and Deputy Policy Director at Coalition for Clean Air

“What happens in Los Angeles doesn’t just stay in Los Angeles: The pollution from LA’s ports, compounded by the goods movement of trucks and rail, reaches far beyond the City limits. As someone who lives 60 miles inland, I see firsthand the devastating impact it has on my community. Mayor Bass has the opportunity to be a champion for clean air, and we are counting on her to prioritize the health and safety of all communities affected by ports and rail operations, even those miles away,” said Bobbi Jo Chavarria (she/her), Sierra Club Senior Field Organizer.

“The Mayor’s goal to make Los Angeles a 100% clean energy ports by 2030 can only be fulfilled through clean people and goods movement. We must move quickly to build the infrastructure necessary for zero-emission trucks, ships, trains, tugboats, and off-road vehicles at the Port of Los Angeles and throughout the region. This will create family-sustaining local jobs and address the harm of toxic pollution destroying lives in frontline communities. Move LA is at City Hall today to support the South Coast AQMD’s Rail and Ports ISR.” said Eli Lipmen (he/they), Move LA Executive Director

“Long Beach and Los Angeles ports are the San Pedro Bay ports established in the early 20th century when no Environmental Protection Agency existed. They lead Los Angeles County with dirtiest air. The continued unrestricted growth by each of the city’s governments of these facilities has led to a catastrophic Environmental disaster for the community of 2.1 million Los Angeles County residents, including West Long Beach, Carson, and Wilmington, who live adjacent to the ports. We find our lives negatively impacted by health threats that cause premature death of eight to more years from physical and mental diseases. That leads to at least 1200 deaths in this community and another 4100 regionally. Stop the growth today and meet attainment by 2030,” said Theral Golden, President of the West Long Beach Association.

“This is a huge opportunity for elected officials and regulators responsible for delivering public health benefits to their constituents. It is their role to listen to and protect their constituents from polluting industries looking to put our communities through further harm, in the name of profit. As port and rail communities, we have been clear about our demands and it is time for Mayor Bass to uplift frontline voices and openly support strong Indirect Source Rules,” said Paola Vargas, EYCEJ Community Organizer.

“Pollution doesn’t know political boundaries. We in the Inland region continue to suffer from the same sort of pollution which plagues communities in LA and we join their calls to Mayor Bass to help lead the charge to clearing the air,” said Marven Norman (he/him/his), CCAEJ Policy Coordinator.