Notice of Public Hearing

Proposed New APCD Rule 1201 (Registration of Agricultural Diesel Engines)
Proposed New APCD Rule 213 (Fees for Registration Programs)

Thursday August 16, 2007, at approximately 2:00pm
Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
105 East Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will hold a public hearing at the time and location listed above to accept comments and consider adoption of proposed new Rule 1201 and to accept comments on proposed new Rule 213.

Who is Affected

Agricultural operators using diesel engines rated at 50 horsepower and greater.

Summary

New Rule 1201, Registration of Agricultural Diesel Engines, is proposed to implement the recently adopted State Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for stationary compression-ignition engines (California Code of Regulations §93115, as revised in April 2007). The ATCM, which applies to engines rated at 50 horsepower and greater, has significant requirements for both existing and new diesel engines used in agricultural processes, including a requirement that all stationary engines to be registered with their local air district.

Rule 1201 does not apply to mobile equipment such as tractors and trucks; it primarily affects diesel-powered water and well pumps. The proposed rule has been developed jointly with the Ventura County and San Luis Obispo County air agencies; with the APCD, the three districts make up the South Central Coast Air Basin. The rule has been drafted to allow engines that move between the districts to use a single registration valid in all three counties; some restrictions will apply. This proposed rule does not add any new emission-control requirements; it only requires registration to satisfy the conditions of the ATCM.

Proposed Rule 213, Fees for Registration Programs, would set a registration and registration renewal fee of $200 for each engine subject to Rule 1201. This fee may be adjusted annually based on the California Consumer Price Index.

The APCD Board of Directors will consider adopting Rule 1201 at its August 16, 2007 meeting. The APCD Board will accept comments on Rule 213 at its August 16, 2007 hearing and consider adopting Rule 213 at its October 18, 2007 meeting. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, the APCD has prepared Notices of Exemption for Rule 1201 and Rule 213.

Public Review

Rules 1201 and 213 are available on the APCD website  for download from this page, and at the following two locations:

Air Pollution Control District
260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Air Pollution Control District
301 E. Cook Street, Suite L
Santa Maria, CA 93454

Please provide written comments by August 10, 2007 on Rule 1201 or Rule 213 to Michael Goldman at the Santa Barbara address above. If you have any questions, you may contact him at 961-8821 or mfg@sbcapcd.org. 

                                                                                                                                            Published July 15, 2007