May 10--Meetings have been scheduled across the central San Joaquin Valley on a new rule aimed at lowering emissions levels from natural gas and diesel engines.

Valley-wide, nearly all stationary and portable engines that are more than 50 horsepower will have to be replaced or retrofitted. The rule's deadlines start to kick in Jan. 1, 2008. The rule falls under the jurisdiction of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and is part of a statewide effort to lower oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide linked to the formation of ozone. At the workshops, district staff, engine dealers, pump dealers, emission control vendors and agricultural representatives will be available to assist those who attend. Participants are encouraged to bring general information about the engines they opera e. Meetings include: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

June 20 at the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, 3290 N. Ad Art Road, Stockton. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 20 at the Stanislaus Agricultural Center (Harvest Hall), 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 26 at the Kerman Community Center, 15100 W. Kearney Blvd., Kerman. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 26 at the Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S. Pine St., Madera. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 28 at the University of California Cooperative Extension Office, 1031 S. Mount Vernon Ave., Bakersfield. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 28 at the Tulare Agricultural Commissioner's Office, 4437 S. Laspina St., Tulare 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

June 29 at the Kings County Agricultural Department, 680 N. Campus Drive, Hanford.