New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has issued an Enforcement Alert for new record keeping requirements and rules for emergency generators effective March 7, 2007. Any facility that operates an emergency generator with a rated capacity larger then 37 kilowatts (Kw) is affected by these changes even if no air pollution permit is required. A 37 Kw generator is equivalent to 50 horsepower and is typically used as emergency back up power at small businesses.

Any owner or operator of an emergency generator with a maximum rated output of 37 Kw is required to maintain on site a logbook or computer data system with the following records:

• Once a month log, total operating time from the generator’s hour meter;
• Each time the emergency generator is operated for testing or maintenance:
• The reason for the operation;
• The date of operation and the start up and shut down time;
• The total operating time for testing or maintenance based on the generator’s hour meter; and
• The name of the operator; and
• If a voltage reduction is the reason for the emergency generator, a copy of the voltage reduction notification from PJM Interconnection Association or other documentation of the voltage reduction.

The new rules were adopted for many sources that emit nitrogen oxides to the outside air. This rule will help reduce ozone during hot summer days, as well as pollution in general, all year long.

Emergency generators are only allowed to operate under emergency situations for testing and maintenance. Operating emergency generators for peak shaving or for any non-emergency use to reduce electrical demand is prohibited. For more information and to obtain a new General Permit for an emergency generator is http://www.state.nj.us/dep/aqpp/gp.html.