ADVOCACY REPORT
In the Thick of Regulatory Efforts on Water, Air Quality & Packaging Though the California Legislature has adjourned for 2024, it is by no means quiet in Sacramento. A brisk fall season has brought to bear a great deal of advocacy work within the regulatory agencies that affect Blue Diamond Growers and its farmers. Notable updates to the FARMER program guidelines include:
• Project funding up to the date of compliance. • Expanded eligibility for used zero emission equipment for small farmers. • Required purchase order for replacement equipment within one year of project approval. • 90-day deadline to salvage/destroy replaced equipment. • Added flexibility to allow for replacement equipment that varies from the baseline equipment type. Since the creation of the FARMER program, Ag Council has received positive feedback from farmers. Our team will continue to support it in legislative and regulatory arenas, including advocating for additional funding in future state budgets. State Water Board Moves to Increase Fees The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) authorized increases to fees during its September board meeting that not only raises fees, but directly impacts the cost of groundwater recharge projects and wastewater management. During the meeting, Ag Council’s staff provided public comments regarding the impact of the fee increases on the agricultural community. The increases come at a time when California farmers are facing razor-thin margins and rising input costs. Water Rights Fees The SWRCB initially proposed water rights fee increases that would have substantially increased fees by approximately 1,500 percent. Instead, Chair Joaquin Esquivel and Vice Chair DeeDee D’Adamo supported an alternative, phased-in approach to avoid disincentivizing groundwater recharge projects. Specifically, Chair Esquivel proposed a 50 percent reduction in the water rights fee increases, which was then adopted by the board.
Among the activities, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) updated guidelines for the widely used FARMER program. The State Water Resources Control Board, unfortunately, took action to increase fees for water rights and water quality permits, and Ag Council continues to express concern about the skyrocketing fees. Furthermore, the regulatory process is ongoing at CalRecycle to implement the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, SB 54 (Allen), and Ag Council is highly engaged in providing feedback. Air Resources Board Updates Guidelines to Popular FARMER Program The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted updated guidelines in October to the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program to expand eligibility for farmers and provide flexibility for approving projects in a more streamlined manner. FARMER provides grant funds through local air districts for farmers to replace older ag equipment with cleaner engines, including equipment such as tractors, heavy-duty trucks, harvesters, pumps and other equipment to lower emissions and improve air quality. Ag Council’s staff spoke during the October meeting, touting FARMER as one of the most cost-effective and efficient programs to help achieve the state’s air quality standards with a proven track record of replacing over 10,000 pieces of equipment. FARMER has led to the reduction of 389,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions through the replacement of older farm equipment. In a related move, and given the broad support for the FARMER program, CARB declined to directly regulate on-farm equipment at this time.
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ALMOND FACTS
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