A Timely Reminder From the CSLB (and a Funny Acronym to Boot)

Growing up in the Central Valley, I remember it getting so hot you could feel your tennis shoes stick to the asphalt on the playground. As California enters it’s worst drought in 119 years concern over water has spawned a well drilling boon. Our ever vigilant (and prescient) California Contractors State License Board has sent out this timely reminder which includes one of the more interesting acronyms I’ve seen:

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C-57 Licensees Must Abide by Air Rules for Central Valley Work

Certain portable engines to power well drilling equipment require registration

SACRAMENTO — C-57 Well Drilling licensees who work in the Central Valley are reminded that they must register portable internal combustion engines of 50 horsepower or greater used to power drilling equipment with either the state or San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District).

Well drilling contractors can choose a registration method depending on their work location. Those who drill within District boundaries must register their fuel-powered engines of a certain horsepower under Rule 2280 (Portable Equipment Registration).

The portable registration allows operation of the equipment throughout the District without having to obtain individual stationary source construction and operating permits. The District is made up of eight counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and part of Kern.

C-57 contractors whose work takes them beyond the Central Valley are required to register their portable engines of a certain power with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Those who sign up for the Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) can operate their equipment using the engines throughout the state without stationary source construction and operating permits from local air districts.

Visit this website for information and applications regarding the state PERP. To speak to a PERP information contact at CARB, call (916) 324-5869 or email portable@arb.ca.gov.

[Note: If you’re going for memorable, this is one of the more memorable acronyms I’ve seen and is right up there with STUPID – St. Thomas University of Public International Diplomacy – which I’ve been told is real.  So, if you want to speak to a PERP, remember to call (916) 324-PERP (kidding)].

Go to this website for information and applications regarding the District Rule 2280 portable registration.

The District also regulates the use of internal combustion engines used on a temporary basis to power agricultural wells while they are being connected to electric power. Use of this type of engine requires a permit from the District depending on the size of the farm.

Visit the District’s website at http://www.valleyair.org/Home.htmfor more information. For more information from the District on electrification of new irrigation wells in the Central Valley: http://www.valleyair.org/busind/comply/AssistanceDocuments/Electrification_Wells_2014-03.pdf.