Electric agricultural equipment is quieter and more efficient than diesel- and gasoline-powered engines and produces less emissions.

To date, there have been zero stationary irrigation pumps converted and the measure is being monitored. To boost conversion of dirty pumps to cleaner alternatives, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) releases a Clean Air for All Grant Campaign periodically. In 2020, 49 organizations from throughout the region received $21.3 million in grants from the Air Resources Board and the State. These grants help businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies including farmers with irrigation pumps to convert their polluting heavy machinery and equipment for electric and low carbon emission alternatives. Please see the Clean Air for All Grant Campaign website to see which projects will receive funding.

Through this campaign, APCD provides financial incentives to encourage owners to replace agricultural equipment such as tractors, harvesting equipment, and irrigation pumps for cleaner alternatives with funding from the statewide Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emissions Reduction (FARMER) program. APCD aims to reach potential applicants, educate farmers about benefits, and provide technical assistance in submitting applications.

APCD examines applications for irrigation pump conversion and selects candidates that meet specific criteria. The County calculates reductions of air pollutant emissions based on the engine type, size, and model year of the engine running the diesel- or gasoline-powered stationary irrigation pump.

Converting petroleum-powered equipment to cleaner fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions and results in cleaner air. Electric pumps can also connect to the grid or use off-grid alternative/renewable energy sources, such as solar, increasing energy independence. Electric pumps are up to 2.5 times more efficient than diesel pumps and allow for quiet operation, reducing noise pollution and operator costs.

The County supports cleaner agricultural equipment, healthy air, and energy resilience. In order to achieve these economic and environmental benefits, the County aims to convert a total of 44 diesel- or gasoline-powered stationary irrigation pumps to electric by 2030. The County will continue to offer incentives for conversion of agricultural equipment through the FARMER program. Equipment owners can contact APCD for assistance in applying for these incentives.