NJ targets air pollution in warehouses caused by e-commerce

New Jersey lawmakers want warehouse operators to cut air pollution — especially from the trucks carrying goods and supplies that constantly make their way through these massive complexes.

The measure introduced in both houses of the state legislature would force owners of warehouses larger than 50,000 square feet to reduce emissions that enter the atmosphere and surrounding neighborhoods.

Operators will have several options to reduce air pollution, such as purchasing zero-emission trucks, using zero-emission forklifts and other equipment, installing solar generators and shifting some loads from trucks to light vehicles or ferries.

The regulations are similar to a pollution reduction plan for warehouses adopted by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District to address what’s known as an indirect source of pollution. They were introduced Friday, days after a report found that one in three New Jersey residents lives within a half-mile of a large warehouse.