Ag Engine Registration Program

Background

As a result of the Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM) for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines, which was amended by the Air Resources Board (ARB) on November 2006, the District was required to develop a registration program for compression ignition (diesel) ag engines greater than 50 horsepower.

At the July 9, 2008 meeting, the Board approved District  Rule 11.3 Agricultural Engine Registrations.  This rule requires that each engine (excluding mobile equipment such as tractors) greater than 50 hp used in an agricultural operation obtain a registration with the District by September 2, 2008. The District enacted an informal amnesty period until June 1, 2009 to conduct further outreach and provide farmers and ranchers with additional time to register their engines.  Now that the amnesty period has ended, qualifying non-registered engines found by the District in operation or at a location where they could be operated, will be subject to violation and monetary penalty.  However, persons who voluntarily approach the District to register their non-registered  engines will not be subject to a notice of violation.

Engine registration forms can be found at: http://www.ysaqmd.org/permits-forms-apps.php

For additional information, please refer to the staff report for Rule 11.3 on our rule development page.

If you have a registered portable engine, and you have added a new location to your farming operations, before you take the registered engine to the new location, you are required to notify the District of the new location, using Form AG4.

Low-use Engine Update (March 2010)

Currently, the ATCM requires Tier 0 diesel engines to be replaced in 2010/2011 and Tier 1 and Tier 2 diesel engines to be replaced in 2014/2015, regardless of how much (or how little) the engine is used.  The District isin the process of reviewing our rule and determining whether we can add an exemption from this replacement schedule for "low-use" engines. 

In December 2009, the District met with the Agricultural Permitting Advisory Committee (APAC) to discuss a low use provision. A draft low use provision has been developed and the District is currently working with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) in an effort to get their approval of the amendment. For additional information, contact Paul Hensleigh at (530) 757-3650.