SB-732
Energy & Environment

Emergency backup generators: critical facilities: exemptions.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Allows critical facilities to exceed backup generator runtime limits during power shutoffs and emergencies.
  • Requires critical facilities to demonstrate progress toward adopting cleaner backup power technologies.
  • Applies to hospitals, police stations, water facilities, and other essential public service providers.
  • Mandates air districts to update their emergency generator rules by January 2026.

Summary

Senator Ochoa Bogh's proposal addresses the operation of emergency backup generators at critical facilities during power shutoffs, establishing new parameters for air districts' regulation of these essential power sources. The legislation creates a framework for critical facilities to maintain operations during emergencies while working toward cleaner backup power solutions.

The bill requires air districts that adopt new rules on emergency backup generators after January 1, 2026, to permit critical facilities—including hospitals, emergency response centers, and water treatment plants—to exceed standard runtime limits during power losses or public safety shutoffs. These exceptions apply when facilities experience deenergization events or conduct testing under National Fire Protection Association Standard 110 protocols. To qualify for these allowances, facilities must document concrete steps toward implementing backup power technologies that align with state emission standards, such as initiating procurement processes or pursuing relevant funding opportunities.

The measure defines specific parameters for emergency backup generators, limiting their operation to 200 hours annually and restricting use to emergency scenarios or routine maintenance. It establishes distinct categories of power interruption events, differentiating between general power losses and public safety power shutoffs implemented during high fire risk conditions. The legislation also outlines the scope of affected facilities, encompassing essential public service providers from emergency response centers to water infrastructure needed for firefighting capabilities.

Local air districts maintain authority to establish and enforce these regulations through their existing fee structures, with no state reimbursement required for implementation costs. The bill positions these changes within California's broader framework for managing air quality and responding to increasing wildfire risks, while maintaining local control over specific regulatory approaches.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Emergency backup generators: critical facilities: exemptions.
February 2020
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
California State Senator
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Allows critical facilities to exceed backup generator runtime limits during power shutoffs and emergencies.
  • Requires critical facilities to demonstrate progress toward adopting cleaner backup power technologies.
  • Applies to hospitals, police stations, water facilities, and other essential public service providers.
  • Mandates air districts to update their emergency generator rules by January 2026.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Ochoa Bogh's proposal addresses the operation of emergency backup generators at critical facilities during power shutoffs, establishing new parameters for air districts' regulation of these essential power sources. The legislation creates a framework for critical facilities to maintain operations during emergencies while working toward cleaner backup power solutions.

The bill requires air districts that adopt new rules on emergency backup generators after January 1, 2026, to permit critical facilities—including hospitals, emergency response centers, and water treatment plants—to exceed standard runtime limits during power losses or public safety shutoffs. These exceptions apply when facilities experience deenergization events or conduct testing under National Fire Protection Association Standard 110 protocols. To qualify for these allowances, facilities must document concrete steps toward implementing backup power technologies that align with state emission standards, such as initiating procurement processes or pursuing relevant funding opportunities.

The measure defines specific parameters for emergency backup generators, limiting their operation to 200 hours annually and restricting use to emergency scenarios or routine maintenance. It establishes distinct categories of power interruption events, differentiating between general power losses and public safety power shutoffs implemented during high fire risk conditions. The legislation also outlines the scope of affected facilities, encompassing essential public service providers from emergency response centers to water infrastructure needed for firefighting capabilities.

Local air districts maintain authority to establish and enforce these regulations through their existing fee structures, with no state reimbursement required for implementation costs. The bill positions these changes within California's broader framework for managing air quality and responding to increasing wildfire risks, while maintaining local control over specific regulatory approaches.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Emergency backup generators: critical facilities: exemptions.
February 2020
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1