The District’s
Portable Equipment Registration program gives owners and operators of portable
equipment the option of registering certain types of equipment as an alternative
to permitting. Registration
provides an exemption from permitting requirements for equipment that would
otherwise require a permit to operate. For
equipment that meets the eligibility requirements, registration is generally
simpler and less costly than permitting. Under certain circumstances, operators may even be able to
use equipment registered with the District in other participating air districts.
Eligibility for
Portable Equipment Registration
The most common types of
portable equipment registered with the District are gas and diesel-fueled I.C
engines. Portable engines used in
well drilling and servicing, power generation; pumping; gas compression; pile
driving; welding; cranes; and woodchipping are eligible for registration. In addition to engines, portable
equipment used for abrasive blasting, concrete batching, and rock, sand, or
gravel processing may also be eligible for registration.
To be registered as
portable equipment, a unit must meet also the definition of “portable
emissions unit” in District Rule 2280 (Portable Equipment Registration). This definition requires that the
equipment be truly portable (capable of being moved from one location to
another). It also requires that the
unit not reside in one location (other than a storage location) for more than
six months. Equipment may not be registered if it replaces or supplements an ongoing function of a
permitted stationary source or if it operates for essentially the full annual length of a stationary
source operation. Please refer to District Policy SSP-2150
(Allowed Operation of Portable
Registered Equipment at a Stationary Source)
to determine eligibility.
Requirements for Portable Equipment
District rule 2280
includes operating requirements for registered portable equipment. These requirements were designed to
ensure that operation of portable equipment does not result in excessive air
emissions.The CA Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Diesel-Fueled Portable Engines
(ATCM) requires all existing portable engines to be certified to Tier 1, 2, or 3 U.S.
EPA/ARB off-road engine standards by 2010. New portable equipment must be certified
to the latest available tier certification level. Based on recent changes to the ATCM,
certain resident Tier 0 engines may be registered with the District. Please contact Martin Keast
at 559-230-5900 if you have any questions regarding portable equipment requirements.
The specific
technology requirements in Rule 2280 vary with equipment type. In most cases various options are provided. One requirement for existing diesel
engines, for example, is that they are required to either meet a ten grams per
horsepower hour emission limit for oxides of nitrogen, or have their timing
retarded four degrees from standard. Other
requirements apply for other pollutant and equipment types. Each registration
issued by the District includes the conditions necessary to ensure that the
equipment operates in compliance with requirements of District rules.
Applying for
Portable Equipment Registration
Application forms
and detailed instructions for registration may be downloaded from this site
(link) or obtained at any District office.
Further information may also be obtained from Technical Services Staff at
the Districts Fresno Office.
|
