Air Rule Helps Farmers
A deadline extension from the state Air Resources Board earlier this month could benefit North State growers who use remote diesel engine pumps to help irrigate crops.
The ARB last year adopted a new regulation, the Airborne Toxic Control Measure, to reduce particulate matter emissions from stationary agricultural diesel engines.
Paul Buttner, manager of environmental affairs for the California Rice Commission, said that "older, non-certified diesel pump engines" produce a "significant amount" of pollution and growers should be aware of the regulation changes.
Buttner said the ARB accepted a number of proposals last year from the commission to amend the proposed regulation.
Most significantly was an amendment for a "special remote-engine exemption" that he said should prevent a significant number of rice farmers from being impacted by the regulation.
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