Dive Brief:
- Attorneys from Earthjustice are appealing an August decision that cleared the path to development for the World Logistics Center in Moreno Valley, CA.
- The World Logistics Center would create 13,000 construction jobs, 20,000 permanent jobs and contribute $2.5 billion annually to the city through the establishment of a 40.6 million square feet logistics hub to service the critical Southern California market.
- Environmental groups claim that the ballot initiative used for the construction constituted a constitutional "abuse of power" wherein the developer sidestepped environmental controls through referendum for corporate gain, according to the Press Enterprise.
Dive Insight:
Once complete, the World Logistics Center would be the largest logistics park in the U.S., and its location in Moreno Valley, CA, would lead to great benefits for distributors as its location puts the hub at one hour's drive from all major markets in Southern California.
However, the hub's size comes with environmental costs, as the new center would bring 14,000 trucks and 54,000 other vehicles to the city — bringing concerns over the diesel emission side effects for the region. "The developer failed to address the diesel air pollution and other harms it will impose on the community," said Adrian Martinez, an attorney at Earthjustice.
"Now more than ever, it’s vital that California leads the way in making sound decisions to protect our health and our environment," Martinez added. However, the project developer Highland Fairview touts the hub's green credentials. The first half of the project is slated for completion in 2022, and full development by 2030 despite legal challenges.
The notice of appeal is only the first step in the renewed legal process, with resolution not expected until next year. The Riverside County judge had previously denied the challenge on precedent, but encouraged the opposition to appeal it, according to the Press Enterprise.
