Stationary (and Portable) Agricultural Engines

January 15, 2008 - Owner/Operators of Engines Used in Agricultural Operations are required to register their engines with the District by March 1, 2008. For more information:

Registration Letter
Fact Sheet (1/11/2008)

Applications (in Word format):

Applications may also be obtained from the District office.

As allowed by the California Health and Safety Code, the District on April 26, 2007 adopted Rule 1001 as an alternative rule that is at least as stringent in controlling diesel particulate matter (PM) as the State Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines. The ATCMs are part of the State’s Diesel Risk Reduction program to reduce and minimize diesel PM. Diesel PM was determined to be a carcinogenic air pollutant in 1998.

The District also adopted Rule 441 and Rule 513 as the registration and fee rules to implement the requirements of Rule 1001. Collectively, these rules regulate diesel particulate matter reduction from new and in-use stationary compression ignitions engines used in agricultural operations in Butte County.

The rules apply to stationary (and portable—see below) engines at agricultural operations. For air pollution regulations, an Agricultural Operation is defined as the growing and harvesting of crops, raising of fowl or animals for the primary purpose of making a profit, or providing a livelihood, or the conduction of agricultural research or instruction by an educational institution. Some examples include engines that power water pumps and generator sets at orchards, rice farms, dairies, ranches, etc. The rules do not apply to engines that provide motive power (propel the equipment around) such as tractors, combines, or haul trucks. Engines that provide power for agricultural processing facilities, such as hullers, shellers, dryers, etc., are currently regulated under the District’s stationary source program and should have a District Permit to Operate.

The District adopted amendments on November 29, 2007, allowing portable diesel engines used exclusively in agricultural operations to be voluntarily registered as stationary engines and subject to the stationary engine requirements of Rule 1001. The District rule offers this scenario because portable equipment that remains at a location for more than 12 consecutive months or that provides power to be fixed or stationary equipment that lose portable status and are regulated as “stationary”. For those portable ag engines not registered, the engines and equipment are subject to the requirements of the ATCM for Portable Equipment. For more information on non-ag portable equipment, see the District’s related Portable Equipment webpage.

The District agricultural engine registration forms and related information have been mailed to those parties the District identified as potentially owning or operating affected equipment. The forms are posted on this website and may be accessed by the link above. Engines must be registered by the March 1, 2008 deadline to be eligible for current and future Carl Moyer grant funding.

For an overview of the rules and requirements for stationary (and portable) engines used in agricultural operations, please see the Fact Sheet. (1/11/2008)

SUMMARY OF NEW RULES (adopted April 26, 2007):

Rule 1001—Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines Used in Agricultural Operations serves to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) from stationary engines used in agricultural operations. This rule was adopted in lieu of adopting the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) ATCM for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines as amended on November 16, 2006. Rule 1001 contains many of the same requirements as the CARB ATCM; however, Rule 1001 provides an exemption for remotely located engines in Butte County. The new rule requires the operators and owners of in-use (existing) engines subject to the rule to register each engine with the District by March 1, 2008. New engines installed on or after January 1, 2008 must register no later than 90 days after installation. Staff Contact: David Lusk. For more information please refer to Rule 1001.

Rule 441—Registration Requirements for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines Used in Agricultural Operations sets forth the registration requirements for all engines used in agricultural operations rated at greater than 50 horsepower. Staff Contact: Ursula Parker. For more information please refer to Rule 441.

Rule 513—Registration Fees for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines Used in Agricultural Operations sets forth the registration fees for engines subject to the rules. The fee per engine includes an application fee of $75 and a registration fee that is valid for two years that is based on one hour of the District’s hourly rate (currently $73.50). Currently, fees for each engine application and registration total $148.50. Staff Contact: Ursula Parker (). Rule 513 was adopted on May 24, 2007. For more information please refer to Rule 513.