State
emission rules a costly burden for farmers [Marysville Appeal Democrat]
…At
issue are diesel emission standards for heavy trucks — the sorts of vehicles
most commonly used in agriculture and long-distance transport. In 2009,
California established new standards that would require every heavy truck to
install a filter on its diesel exhaust — and rendered some older trucks illegal
to run on state roads entirely. The standards were supposed to go into effect
in 2010, but they were postponed while lawmakers, scientists, lawyers and
concerned citizens argued over the mechanics of the law. But now the delays are
over. On Jan. 1, the regulations go into effect. And many small businesses,
most of them agricultural, may face struggles….Another issue with the new
filters is that they're not cost-efficient, said Megan Foster, executive
director of the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau.
California
Air Resource Board cracks down on big rigs [Sacramento Bee]
For
the past few months, Monte Eberhardt had been hearing from other big rig
drivers that he may have to retrofit his cattle-hauling truck to meet new
emission standards….He was issued a citation for not having an emission control
label on the engine of his 1998 Kenworth rig, and was told that he would be
fined $800 if he did not have the engine tested and certified as meeting
emission standards within 45 days….Tuesday, two ARB inspectors were checking
big rigs southbound on Highway 99, just north of the split with Interstate 5,
to see if they were complying with the agency’s requirements….For the first six
months of 2013, the agency has conducted about 3,100 inspections of trucks and
buses in the state and has issued about 390 citations.
State
clears way for use of ‘offsets’ in carbon restrictions [Sacramento Bee]
Starting
in a couple of weeks, the hundreds of companies subject to California’s strict
curbs on greenhouse-gas emissions will have a new way to meet the regulations.
They’ll be able to buy “offset” credits generated by dairy farms and others who
have managed to reduce their own carbon emissions. After years of study, the
California Air Resources Board said Tuesday it has cleared the way for heavy
industries in California to start purchasing offsets. David Clegern, a
spokesman for the agency, said offsets should be available by the end of this
month.
Valley
urged to watch for infestations of feared citrus pest [Fresno Bee]
With
the recent discovery of dozens of a dreaded citrus pest in Tulare County,
farmers, county officials and a state senator urged the public on Tuesday to
watch for signs of the bug on their trees. The Asian citrus psyllid -- a tiny
bug that measures about 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch -- has the potential to
carry a deadly plant disease known as citrus greening or huanglongbing. While
the disease has not surfaced in the region, several young citrus trees in a
Dinuba neighborhood were infested with the bug last week. It was the largest
known find of the pest in the Valley, alarming citrus farmers and elected
officials.
Experts
report on soil damage from Rim fire [Modesto Bee]
Federal
experts said Tuesday that the Rim fire did severe damage to soil on 7percent of
its vast acreage — soil that could erode into water supplies if not treated.
The 7percent figure is “fairly low” compared with other blazes, and considering
how deep into the dry season the Rim fire happened, the Burned Area Emergency
Response team said in a brief report on its early findings.…Large storms could
bring silt and debris into Don Pedro Reservoir, where the TID and Modesto
Irrigation District store water for farmers….“The intensity of it and the enormity
of it takes your breath away,” said Mike Albrecht, a forester and president of
Sierra Resource Management, a Jamestown-based company that does logging and
other forest work. He advocates for forest thinning, which produces logs for
sawmills while leaving the remaining trees more resistant to fire. Thinned
stands helped reduce the Rim fire’s intensity, he said.
IID
rejects claims that its use of water is not reasonable and beneficial [Imperial
Valley Press]
Imperial
Irrigation District officials fired back at two water agencies challenging how
IID uses its entitlement of Colorado River water, characterizing their
statements as “political rhetoric” and threats on the district’s right to use
water within its territory. In letters to Southern Nevada Water Authority and
Metropolitan Water District dated Sept. 12, IID General Manager Kevin Kelley
rejected both agencies’ claims that the use of Colorado River water to help
maintain habitat and shoreline on the Salton Sea is not reasonable and
beneficial. Kelley also rejected MWD’s assertion that IID’s water rights are
“limited to potable and irrigation purposes.” “… IID must regard your agency’s
comments as a direct assault on not only the sea’s right to exist but on its
recently unveiled Salton Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative,
developed in collaboration with Imperial County; as such, these comments cannot
be left unchallenged,” stated Kevin Kelley in a letter to Pat Mulroy, general
manager of Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Ag
Today is distributed by the CFBF Communications/News Division to county Farm
Bureaus, CFBF directors and CFBF staff, for information purposes; stories may
not be republished without permission. Some story links may require site
registration. To be removed from this mailing list, reply to this
message and please provide your name and e-mail address. For more
information about Ag Today, contact 916-561-5550 or news@cfbf.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment