I was surfing and sending email to my Representive and found this by the Sacrament Bee. Seems that SB708 is only part of a ten bill package cooked up by Sen. Flores, he is going after everyone.
Read full story here:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politi...-7151575c.html
10-bill package on air quality
SB 700: Repeals a decades-old rule in state law that has shielded farms from needing air-pollution permits for diesel-powered irrigation pumps and for confined-animal feeding operations such as dairies. Requires farmers to obtain permits for those sources by Jan. 1, 2005. Mandates that local air districts adopt rules to reduce or eliminate air pollution caused by everyday farming activities, such as harvesting, tilling or discing, by Jan. 1, 2005.
SB 701: Creates a low-interest loan program to help farmers pay for new equipment or for installing measures to limit air pollution.
SB 702: Expands an existing state grant program that has helped farmers pay to replace or retrofit dirty, diesel-powered irrigation pumps. Allows grant money to be used for upgrading other farm equipment such as tractors.
SB 703: Revokes "standby" charges that agricultural customers must pay utilities to keep irrigation pumps connected to the electricity grid. Could encourage farmers to use electricity rather than cheaper, but dirtier, diesel fuel.
SB 704: Requires biomass facilities to regularly burn agricultural waste -- at least 30 percent of their total fuel -- to produce electricity.
SB 705: Bans open-field burning by June 1, 2005, and requires local air districts to help farmers find alternatives for disposing of farm waste.
SB 706: Prohibits most wood-burning fireplaces in all new homes starting Jan. 1, 2004, except those that meet certain U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
SB 707: Sets up buffer zones between dairies and cities by blocking new dairy construction within three miles of an urbanized area or school. Prevents schools or homes from being built within three miles of an existing dairy.
SB 708: Requires older cars and trucks to comply with state air-emission standards through the Smog Check program, but continues an exemption for vehicles older than 45 years -- a concession to seldom-driven antique or classic cars.
SB 709: Adds three public members with expertise in health, economics and the environment to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Board.