California Air Resources Board

Would have required local air districts to allow critical facility operators to use a permitted emergency backup generator in exceedance of the applicable runtime, testing, and maintenance limits under certain conditions. This requirement would have gone into effect on January 1, 2026, and would have applied to local air districts that do not have existing rules for emergency backup generators but will be adopting rules in the future. The bill would have required a critical facility allowed to exceed applicable limits, as specified, to attest to and provide evidence of having taken demonstrable steps toward implementing the use of backup power technologies that meet or exceed emission standards set by CARB. Was not heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

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Summary

Requires a local air district without a specified rule on emergency backup generators, as of January 1, 2026, that adopts such a rule to include in the rule provisions that allow the operator of a critical facility to use a permitted emergency backup generator in exceedance of the applicable runtime and testing and maintenance limits if specified conditions are met. The bill requires a critical facility allowed to exceed applicable limits, as specified, to attest to and provide evidence of having taken demonstrable steps toward implementing the use of backup power technologies that meet or exceed emission standards set by CARB. Was not heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

View full bill text here  

Requires a local air district without a specified rule on emergency backup generators, as of January 1, 2026, that adopts such a rule, to include provisions that allow the operator of a critical facility to use a permitted emergency backup generator in exceedance of the applicable runtime and testing and maintenance limits if specified conditions are met. The bill specifies that a critical facility is allowed to exceed applicable limits and provide evidence of having taken demonstrable steps toward implementing the use of backup power technologies that meet or exceed emission standards set by CARB. Was not heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

View full bill text here