The Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program, also known as the Warehouse Indirect Source Rule, begins its second round of compliance for warehouse operators this summer. Operators of warehouses at least 150,000 square feet but less than 250,000 square feet, are required to submit their Initial Site Information Report (ISIR) on July 1, 2023, and their first Annual WAIRE Report (AWR) in January 2024. This is the beginning of the reporting requirements for warehouses of this size, referred to as “Phase 2.”

The WAIRE Program requires warehouses greater than 100,000 square feet to directly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions, or to otherwise reduce emissions and exposure of these pollutants in nearby communities. As part of the rule, warehouse operators will need to mitigate the air pollution created by their warehouse(s). Options to do so include acquiring and using natural gas near-zero and/or zero-emission on-road trucks, installing and using on-site electric vehicle chargers, installing solar panels and more.

Warehouses are phased into the WAIRE Program over three years, beginning with the largest facilities first. Phase 1 warehouses (at least 250,000 square feet) were required to submit their first AWR by March 2, 2023 for the actions they took in calendar year 2022. “Phase 3” warehouses that have a warehouse size between 100,000 – 149,999 square feet will report their 2024 actions in January 2025.

South Coast AQMD is available to assist the regulated community and answer any questions through a hotline at 909-396- 3140 and email at waire-program@aqmd.gov. For more information, please visit our WAIRE webpage.