Effective January 1, 2012, all Tier 0 (1996 and older) engines over 50 horsepower (hp) must meet Tier 3 air pollutant emissions standards. Additional agricultural engines are subject to state compliance deadlines in 2012, 2015 and 2016.  The most practical way to meet these more stringent emission standards is to replace the engine with a new, cleaner burning Tier 3 engine.

The Bay Area Air District adopted a new rule that provides an extension of the state’s compliance deadlines for certain low-use agricultural engines, while achieving greater air pollution reductions in the long-term. 

• If you use a stationary diesel engine greater than 50 hp for agricultural operations, you must register the engine with the Air District at: http://burger.baaqmd.gov/ag_diesel/diesel_regform.php.
• You must apply and qualify for the Alternate Compliance Plan to be eligible for the extended compliance deadlines which are 2020 and 2025 at: http://burger.baaqmd.gov/ag_acp/.
• Application deadline:  All applications for the Alternate Compliance Plan must be submitted by December 31, 2011.

On Nov. 15 Jim Smith of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will be at Sonoma County Farm Bureau to assist Sonoma County farmers and ranchers with the agricultural engine registration and filing the Alternate Compliance Plan. Smith will be available from 8 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 970 Piner Road in Santa Rosa.

For information or assistance with Agricultural Engine Registration or Alternative Compliance Plan contact: Joe Slamovich at (415) 749-4681 or slamovich@baaqmd.gov.