(Nov. 13, 2023) In preparation of a new state regulation to achieve air quality standards and climate goals, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) is assessing how to manage its fleet of trucks and equipment.

California State and local government, including special districts like NID, will be required to ensure 50 percent of vehicle purchases are zero-emissions beginning in 2024 and 100 percent of vehicle purchases are zero-emissions by 2027.

“This will affect the vehicles and equipment we use daily to operate and maintain our water system,” said NID General Manager Jennifer Hanson. “We support taking strides to improve public health and safety. Yet these regulations will add additional costs for vehicles and equipment purchased and used by the District.”

NID owns and maintains a fleet of 210 trucks, in addition to heavy-duty offroad equipment and machinery,  assorted smaller equipment and portable machinery.

“Simply put, we need a multitude of tools to do the job,” Hanson said.

 The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved several new regulations to accelerate a large-scale transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles: 

• Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation (ACFR)
• Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) Regulation
• Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) Regulation and Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM)
• In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (Off-Road Regulation)

Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation (ACFR)

NID’s fleet is currently about 210 vehicles, including half-ton pickup trucks, three-quarter ton pickup trucks, as well as semi-sized vehicles such as a dump truck, water tanker, flatbed, and a vacuum truck.

About 90 of these trucks fall under the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation.

In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (Off-Road Regulation)

NID owns about 45 Pieces of self-propelled offroad equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, fork lifts, loaders, graders and Snocats.

About 25 types of this equipment falls under the Off-Road Regulation.

Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) Regulation

NID owns at least 50 small pieces of equipment, including portable generators, water pumps, chain saws, weed eaters, leaf blowers, handheld and walk behind concrete saws, and riding lawn mowers.

Many of these fall under the SORE regulation.

Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) Regulation and Portable Engine Airborne

NID owns about 7 towable generators, 2 towable water pumps, and 4 compressors that fall under PERP and Airborne Toxic Control Measure Regulations.