Tag Archives: back-up generators

More on Back-Up Generators: NESCAUM Raises Concerns

For those of you following EPA’s proposal to allow increased use of backup generators used in demand response programs, NESCAUM has now joined the fray. In a report released yesterday and available on its website, NESCAUM stated that:

Preliminary screening analyses indicate that uncontrolled diesel backup generators operating under the exemption included in EPA’s recent proposal could by themselves create hotspots exceeding the national health-based 1-hour NO2 air standard.… More

A Thoughtful Discussion By Policy Makers of a Difficult Issue? How Refreshing!

As I noted in May, EPA’s recent proposed rule regarding backup generators would allow additional operations by such generators when used to assist in demand response. It’s a tricky issue, because diesel generators are not clean, and the aggregated emissions from a number of small, but uncontrolled diesel generators can be significant. 

For now, based on the proposal, EPA has come down on the side of encouraging the demand response industry. Nonetheless,… More

EPA Proposes Revisions to the Back-up Generator Rule: Reasonable Flexibility or a Dirty Loophole?

Yesterday, EPA released proposed revisions to its rules governing emissions from emergency back-up generators. It’s not always the most exciting of topics, but it is important. Many facilities have back-up generators and I know from experience advising clients that, precisely because back-up generators do not run that often, operators can run into compliance issues.

The most important aspect of the proposed rule is that EPA would allow back-up generators to run for up to 100 hours without being subject to emissions limits for the following reasons:

  • Monitoring and testing
  • Demand response
  • Voltage changes of at least 5%

Moreover,… More