john
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3. Currently there are zero-emission equivalents to all SORE equipment.....
while politicians publicly state this is for lawn care stuff, the law is
written so it can regulate dirt bikes ATV/UTV as well.... <sigh>
john
Assembly Bill No. 1346
CHAPTER 753
An act to add Section 43018.11 to the Health and Safety Code, relating
to air pollution.
[ Approved by Governor October 09, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State
October 09, 2021. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1346, Berman. Air pollution: small off-road engines.
Existing law imposes various limitations on the emissions of air
contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and
nonvehicular sources. Existing law assigns the responsibility for
controlling vehicular sources of air pollution to the State Air
Resources Board.
This bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2022, consistent
with federal law, to adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible
regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from
new small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. The bill
would require the state board to identify and, to the extent feasible,
make available funding for commercial rebates or similar incentive
funding as part of any updates to existing applicable funding program
guidelines to local air pollution control districts and air quality
management districts to implement to support the transition to
zero-emission small off-road equipment operations.
DIGEST KEY
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal Committee: yes Local
Program: no
BILL TEXT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Small off-road engines (SORE), which are used primarily in lawn and
garden equipment, emit high levels of air pollutants, including oxides
of nitrogen (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and particulate matter
(PM). NOx and ROG together contribute to formation of ozone, a criteria
pollutant with a national ambient air quality standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and a California
ambient air quality standard and that has adverse impacts on health.
Currently, California exceeds U.S. EPA and state standards for ozone in
many areas, including the South Coast Air Basin, the San Francisco Bay
area, and the County of Sacramento. NOx also contributes to formation of
PM, which, along with directly emitted PM, has direct negative health
impacts. PM also has an air quality standard set by the U.S. EPA and the
state. Many areas in California also currently fail to meet PM
standards, including the South Coast Air Basin and the San Joaquin
Valley Air Basin.
(2) In 2020, California daily NOx and ROG emissions from SORE were
higher than emissions from light-duty passenger cars. SORE emitted an
average of 16.8 tons per day of NOx and 125 tons per day of ROG. Without
further regulatory action, those emission levels are expected to
increase with increasing numbers of SORE in California. Regulations of
emissions from SORE have not been as stringent as regulations of other
engines, and one hour of operation of a commercial leaf blower can emit
as much ROG plus NOx as driving 1,100 miles in a new passenger vehicle.
(3) Currently, there are zero-emission equivalents to all SORE equipment
regulated by the State Air Resources Board. The battery technology
required for commercial-grade zero-emission equipment is available and
many users, both commercial and residential, have already begun to
transition to zero-emission equipment.
(4) The Governor’s Executive Order No. N-79-20 of September 23, 2020,
directs the state board to implement strategies to achieve 100 percent
zero emissions from off-road equipment in California by 2035, where
feasible and cost-effective. The state will not achieve that goal
without further regulation of SORE, including a mandate to transition
all sales of new equipment to zero-emission equipment.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the state board to
act expeditiously to protect public health from the harmful effects of
emissions of small off-road engines.
SEC. 2. Section 43018.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
43018.11. (a) (1) By July 1, 2022, the state board shall, consistent
with federal law, adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible
regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from
new small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. Those
regulations shall apply to engines produced on or after January 1, 2024,
or as soon as the state board determines is feasible, whichever is later.
(2) In determining technological feasibility pursuant to paragraph (1),
the state board shall consider all of the following:
(A) Emissions from small off-road engines in the state.
(B) Expected timelines for zero-emission small off-road equipment
development.
(C) Increased demand for electricity from added charging requirements
for more zero-emission small off-road equipment.
(D) Use cases of both commercial and residential lawn and garden users.
(E) Expected availability of zero-emission generators and emergency
response equipment.
(b) Consistent with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section and
relevant state law, the state board shall identify, and, to the extent
feasible, make available, funding for commercial rebates or similar
incentive funding as part of any updates to existing, applicable funding
program guidelines for districts to implement to support the transition
to zero-emission small off-road equipment operations.