Air board workshops set on proposed diesel emission rules

 

By Kate Campbell

Reprinted with permission of Ag Alert and California Farm Bureau

 

A proposal to expand state regulation of agricultural stationary engines will be the focus of public meetings in Colusa, Durham and Sacramento next week. The California Air Resources Board will go over the proposed regulations, similar to those already adopted in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast air districts, at meetings on July 26 and 27.

The regulations are intended to reduce emissions for the estimated 9,000 to 11,000 in-use ag engines operating throughout California on agricultural operations. The state Air Resources Board puts emissions from stationary irrigations pump engines, alone, at 700 tons to 800 tons of diesel particulate matter and 10,000 tons to 12,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen.

“Diesel PM was identified as a contaminant in 1998 and since then there has been a move to reduce emissions,” said Cynthia Cory, California Farm Bureau Federation director of environmental affairs. “Rules already are in place for agricultural engines in other parts of the state. But, I want to be clear that we’re talking about stationary engines, not tractors or implements of husbandry.”

An initial public workshop on the proposed amendment to the “Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines” (title 17, California Code Regulations, section 93115) was held in Modesto in April. The upcoming public workshops will provide an additional opportunity for public comment and revisions to the initial draft proposal.

The ARB’s proposed emission limits for in-use ag engines would apply to engines greater than 50 horsepower. The limits would require uncontrolled engines, primarily those manufactured before 1996, not to exceed emissions limits set in the state’s toxic emission control regulations.

The ARB said engine replacement is expected to be the most common way farmers and ranchers will achieve compliance with the new emissions rules. Financial assistance and incentives will be available, but growers will need to apply more than three years in advance of proposed compliance deadlines to be eligible for assistance though the local air district’s Carl Moyer Program.

“There are a number of compliance options that will be available to farmers and ranchers,” Cory said. “That could mean switching to an alternate fuel or possi8bly retrofitting existing engines with new emission controls, but switching to electric engines is expected to be the most likely approach to compliance, if it’s feasible.”

Growers operating stationary diesel engines in the Pacific Gas & Electric or Southern California Edison service areas are being advised to apply immediately for reduced agricultural electric rates and other benefits in exchange for converting to electric motors. To do that, growers will need to attend the upcoming workshops and gather as much information as possible online, Cory said.

The ARB said the proposed emission limits on stationary diesel engines are based on national Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Certification Standards. Over time, the standards generally become more stringent as they are phased into existing standards.

“These workshops allow farmers to learn about the proposed regulations, consider options and make plans to meet emission control requirements,” Cory said. “If attending the sessions in person isn’t possible, we’re urging farmers to get up-to-date information online.

“We’re also advising that those who’ll be affected by the new regulations listen to the webcast of the Sacramento meeting on July 27.”

Cory said that during the webcast, listeners will be able to submit questions electronically that will be answered live.

“No one should be caught off-guard when these regulations are finalized,” Cory said. “Farmers and ranchers should be aware of the requirements before buying or replacing any stationary ag diesel engine.”

Information about the proposed in-use stationary diesel agricultural engine requirements can be found online at www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/ag/inuseag.htm. To subscribe to an automatic update service on the proposed regulations, go to www.arb.ca.gov/listserv.inuseag.htm.

To talk to ARB representatives directly, call Richard Boyd, Process Evaluation Section manager at (916) 322-8285, or Barbara Cook, air pollution specialist, at (916) 323-0440.  

(Kate Campbell is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at kcampbell@cfbf.com).

 

Diesel emissions meetings:

July 26

Colusa- Colusa Agricultural Complex, 100 Sunrise Blvd., Colusa; 9:30 a.m. to noon

Durham- Durham Veterans Memorial Hall, 9319 Midway, Durham, 2 to 4:30 p.m.

 

July 27

Sacramento- Cal/EPA Headquarters Building, Byron Sher Auditorium, 2^nd Floor, 1001 I St., Sacramento; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

 

Live webcast of the Sacramento meeting:

www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast