It was an observation made to me by the former mayor of Costa Mesa, Steve Mensinger, that got me thinking. He mentioned that when he remodeled his home, he installed a backup generator and hooked it up to the existing natural gas line. That way, he wouldn’t have to run to the gas station to purchase cans of fuel for a gasoline- or diesel-powered generator.
Living on a golf course, he noticed one evening that when Southern California Edison had a power outage, “my home was the only one with its lights on.” Such is the benefit of a backup generator (BUG).
This sounds like a smart strategy—but not if you’re someone relying on electricity for health purposes, like a patient in a hospital or on a breathing machine. You may also own a grocery store and need to prevent frozen goods from thawing.
There are other reasons for BUGs. In remote locations, they are needed for transmission towers. Water districts in hilly terrain need them to move water. And the devastating fires in Los Angeles pointed out how critical water pressure is to firefighters. But who, in their right mind, under wildfire conditions, is going to drive with several gallons of diesel to refuel these BUGs? For BUGs near natural gas lines, it would seem a smart thing to use this energy source as a safe and reliable fuel for a long-term need.
According to the federal laboratory National Renewable Energy Labs, “The differences between diesel and natural gas generators in terms of economics and reliability are relatively modest.” The laboratory also estimates that “the higher reliability of natural gas fuel supply compared to that of diesel fuel for long outages results in natural gas generators being more reliable than diesel generators, though these conclusions are based on estimates from small data sets and significant assumptions.”
It should also be noted that the emissions from a natural gas-powered internal combustion engine, while still emitting some air pollutants and greenhouse gases, is still preferable to the acute health impacts of diesel particular matter, which is a known carcinogen (among other negative health impacts).
But did you know that in California, one needs to obtain a permit from the local Air Resources Board (ARB) to install and operate a BUG? And were you aware that the amount of time a BUG can be used annually is limited? Those wishing to use their BUG longer than the allowed time must request permission from the ARB or face heavy fines.
In this case, the regulations in California are ludicrous and antithetical to free market efforts to protect life and property. The air pollution created by a BUG is much less than that created by a facility burning to the ground, which creates an incredible amount of particulate matter.
According to the state ARB, the bill “would have authorized a local air district, consistent with federal law, to adopt or revise, a rule to specify that hours for usage due to the loss of normal electrical service during a deenergization event by a permitted natural-gas-powered emergency backup generator that is either federally compliant or CARB designated shall not count toward that permit’s conditions for usage.”
However, even though I had good support from the Association of California Water Agencies, the California Cable & Telecommunications Association, Sempra Energy Utilities, and even the Utility Workers Union of America, the bill died.
The bill even passed the state Senate itself, but it didn’t make it out of the Natural Resources Committee in the Assembly.
Those opposed argued that the bill worked against efforts to reduce reliance on gas generators and would worsen air quality and people’s health.
The good news is that more people will be taking a harder look at Sacramento’s priorities in regards to our air quality, land management, and preservation of life and property since the historic devastation in Los Angeles.
