Emergency backup generators: critical facilities: exemptions.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on which critical facilities are eligible for exemptions or what steps must be taken to implement cleaner power technologies.

Emergency Backup Generators: Exemptions for Critical Facilities

The bill allows air districts to permit critical facilities to exceed runtime and testing limits on emergency backup generators if certain conditions are met, provided they work towards cleaner power technologies.

What This Bill Does

• Allows air districts without specific rules on emergency backup generators as of January 1, 2026, to adopt rules that permit operators of critical facilities to use permitted emergency backup generators in exceedance of applicable runtime and testing limits if specified conditions are met.
• Requires critical facilities allowed to use emergency backup generators beyond normal limits to attest to and provide evidence of having taken demonstrable steps toward implementing the use of backup power technologies meeting or exceeding emission standards set by the state board.

Who It Names or Affects

• Operators of critical facilities
• Air pollution control and air quality management districts

Terms To Know

Critical facility

A place that is essential for public safety or health, such as hospitals or emergency services.

Emergency backup generator

A power source used during emergencies when regular electricity is not available.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify which critical facilities are eligible for exemptions.
• It is unclear what specific steps must be taken to implement cleaner power technologies.

Official Summary Text

SB 732, as introduced, Ochoa Bogh.
Emergency backup generators: critical facilities: exemptions.
Existing law imposes various limitations on emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Existing law generally designates air pollution control and air quality management districts with the primary responsibility for the control of air pollution from all sources other than vehicular sources. Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to identify toxic air contaminants that are emitted into the ambient air of the state and to establish airborne toxic control measures to reduce emissions of toxic air contaminants from nonvehicular sources.
This bill would require an air district without a specified rule on emergency backup generators, as defined, as of January 1, 2026, that adopts such a rule to include in the rule provisions that allow the operator of a critical facility, as
defined, 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 would require a critical facility allowed to exceed applicable limits under a rule adopted pursuant to that provision 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 the state board. By adding to the duties of air districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF