Time to check out the generator.

[ponytug]

Is the CA ban just for petrol (gasoline) generators or diesel too?
With the right inverter a solar array can run as a backup system with a small or even no batteries. So far our solar system with lead acid batts has taken care of all outages in the last four years with no need for the generator.

Home diesel generators have been banned for quite some time now. Getting parts can be a challenge as many companies won't ship parts to California to not run afoul of the law, which doesn't apply to parts, as far as I can see. I can still get parts. The nitrogen oxides are the primary offender, although the diesel PM 2.5 (soot) are also an issue.

However, it is worth looking up the order, which is enacted to reduce air pollution as major parts of the state don't meet the clean air standards and small engines now account for more emissions that passenger cars. In the past the California Air Resources Board has modulated the restrictions based upon geography. (If I had to guess, it will probably leave @ultrarunner and me in the clean zone.)

SORE, aka Small Off-Road Engines are spark ignited engines of less than 19kW (25HP.)

Here is what was signed;

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:​

SECTION 1.​

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Small off-road engines (SORE), which are used primarily in lawn and garden equipment, emit high levels of air pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and particulate matter (PM). NOx and ROG together contribute to formation of ozone, a criteria pollutant with a national ambient air quality standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and a California ambient air quality standard and that has adverse impacts on health. Currently, California exceeds U.S. EPA and state standards for ozone in many areas, including the South Coast Air Basin, the San Francisco Bay area, and the County of Sacramento. NOx also contributes to formation of PM, which, along with directly emitted PM, has direct negative health impacts. PM also has an air quality standard set by the U.S. EPA and the state. Many areas in California also currently fail to meet PM standards, including the South Coast Air Basin and the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin.
(2) In 2020, California daily NOx and ROG emissions from SORE were higher than emissions from light-duty passenger cars. SORE emitted an average of 16.8 tons per day of NOx and 125 tons per day of ROG. Without further regulatory action, those emission levels are expected to increase with increasing numbers of SORE in California. Regulations of emissions from SORE have not been as stringent as regulations of other engines, and one hour of operation of a commercial leaf blower can emit as much ROG plus NOx as driving 1,100 miles in a new passenger vehicle.
(3) Currently, there are zero-emission equivalents to all SORE equipment regulated by the State Air Resources Board. The battery technology required for commercial-grade zero-emission equipment is available and many users, both commercial and residential, have already begun to transition to zero-emission equipment.
(4) The Governor’s Executive Order No. N-79-20 of September 23, 2020, directs the state board to implement strategies to achieve 100 percent zero emissions from off-road equipment in California by 2035, where feasible and cost-effective. The state will not achieve that goal without further regulation of SORE, including a mandate to transition all sales of new equipment to zero-emission equipment.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the state board to act expeditiously to protect public health from the harmful effects of emissions of small off-road engines.

SEC. 2.​

Section 43018.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

43018.11.​

(a) (1) By July 1, 2022, the state board shall, consistent with federal law, adopt cost-effective and technologically feasible regulations to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines, as defined by the state board. Those regulations shall apply to engines produced on or after January 1, 2024, or as soon as the state board determines is feasible, whichever is later.
(2) In determining technological feasibility pursuant to paragraph (1), the state board shall consider all of the following:
(A) Emissions from small off-road engines in the state.
(B) Expected timelines for zero-emission small off-road equipment development.
(C) Increased demand for electricity from added charging requirements for more zero-emission small off-road equipment.
(D) Use cases of both commercial and residential lawn and garden users.
(E) Expected availability of zero-emission generators and emergency response equipment.
(b) Consistent with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section and relevant state law, the state board shall identify, and, to the extent feasible, make available, funding for commercial rebates or similar incentive funding as part of any updates to existing, applicable funding program guidelines for districts to implement to support the transition to zero-emission small off-road equipment operations.

 

[ljjhouser]

Well, I was going to stay out of this. But can't do it. Sorry about that. The stated overall goal is to preserve and take better care of our environment. I keep wondering why better management of population is NEVER mentioned.

These locations that are very populated are very concerned (smog). The they should be. Other cities and state which are less populated don't usually see or understand the need to do all this regulating of products.

One day, as I was leaving a friends house, there was recycle paper box near the door. I asked about that. I also recycle. He told me he was saving the trees. I said, trees are a renewable resource. The issue is Land Management, Food production, and the resources to maintain the population. Any farmer can tell you what they have had to do to continually increase production per acre. It is true, we are not "ahead of the curve regarding these issues. Why not? Because population has grown exponentially the last 100 years. We will NEVER be "ahead" of the curve if the need for resources continue to grow in this manner in the future.

Now that I have said that, I am sorry that I may drive a tractor a couple times a week. But I am more sorry that those who want to tell me what to do, don't drive a tractor, but instead fly their jet to the Netherlands and accomplish NOTHING while there putting 188,000 tons of carbon in the air. I but I know it is better that i am using my electric blower, lawn mower, and chainsaw while we buy new jets for the Speaker of the House and many others in Congress because the common air carriers are not good enough for them.

And DiCaprio - drives a Prius - as well as his other 7 cars. I can only say - want to continue making rules to regulate the population - good, then join us in obeying the laws you made - Use OUR post office, OUR banking system, OUR Insurance system, Park you car at the airport where we do, Disarm us, but include all your ARMED guards. Give them the same whistle you would give us.

OK sorry about that. Just couldn't resist it. I guess you could ask me what I really think. LOL Larry

 

[ultrarunner]

The issue I have is banning equipment already owned and many times required.

Case in point is California wildfires and steps property owners must take to be compliant...

One is brush cutting and a info packet shows a homeowner in proper safety gear in not dry conditions reducing fuel with a weed whacker...

This year can't do that unless battery powered...

So the very tools needed can't be used...

 

[sea2summit]

And CA just passed a law banning the sale of gas powered generators (plus lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, leaf blowers) in 2024. Should be entertaining to watch the news in 2.5 years.

Mind boggling when they can't keep power on now but they want everyone to use more electricity for their car/lawnmower/etc.

 

[TractorTYMe]

My mind is SOOOOO of all the stupidity, and it has trickled down to the whole nation soon, because otherwise is racist.

 

[CoryB]

I had a couple of generators at my last house. That house had a basement that would quickly fill with water if the sump pump didnt work, so one generator was always ready to hook up to that. It typically got used 1-2 times a year. It would also run a couple of fans if needed but did nothing for heat.

After too many years of that, I had the heater pumps rewired (gas fired hot water baseboard) so I could plug them in and run one zone or the other. And I got a much larger generator to run the refrigerator, freezer, TV, and a few other appliances.

When we built our new house, I had a whole house generator installed and will never be without one again. It does a 10 minute self test run every Monday at 10:00 a.m.

 

[JasperFrank]

CoryB, are you saying this system automatically does a run test every week?

 

[TMGT]

CoryB, are you saying this system automatically does a run test every week?

My standby does a weekly run, I have mine set to run for 15min, when it was only 10 it didn't seem to get enough temp in it during the winter.

All the home standby systems im familer with have a programed test run, usually weekly.

 

[ljjhouser]

When we built our new house, I had a whole house generator installed and will never be without one again. It does a 10 minute self test run every Monday at 10:00 a.m.

I do like the idea of whole house generator systems. Especially now that they run on NG or LP. And I think as they become more common in residential uses, the cost is coming down. But I am sure that as soon as I set one up, the power would NEVER go out again.

Years ago, we had snow and about 4 inches of ice. We could not get to the house up our 700' drive. I bought 800 pounds of rock salt. Finally got up there.

THEN, realizing the problem, I bought a Western snow blade for the truck. That cost $3000. Never snowed there again more than 2 inches. Ten years later, I sold that blade for $1200.

I guess I could buy one and tell them don't bother hooking it up, I won't need it. LOL.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Well, I was going to stay out of this. But can't do it. Sorry about that. The stated overall goal is to preserve and take better care of our environment. I keep wondering why better management of population is NEVER mentioned.

These locations that are very populated are very concerned (smog). The they should be. Other cities and state which are less populated don't usually see or understand the need to do all this regulating of products.

One day, as I was leaving a friends house, there was recycle paper box near the door. I asked about that. I also recycle. He told me he was saving the trees. I said, trees are a renewable resource. The issue is Land Management, Food production, and the resources to maintain the population. Any farmer can tell you what they have had to do to continually increase production per acre. It is true, we are not "ahead of the curve regarding these issues. Why not? Because population has grown exponentially the last 100 years. We will NEVER be "ahead" of the curve if the need for resources continue to grow in this manner in the future.

Now that I have said that, I am sorry that I may drive a tractor a couple times a week. But I am more sorry that those who want to tell me what to do, don't drive a tractor, but instead fly their jet to the Netherlands and accomplish NOTHING while there putting 188,000 tons of carbon in the air. I but I know it is better that i am using my electric blower, lawn mower, and chainsaw while we buy new jets for the Speaker of the House and many others in Congress because the common air carriers are not good enough for them.

And DiCaprio - drives a Prius - as well as his other 7 cars. I can only say - want to continue making rules to regulate the population - good, then join us in obeying the laws you made - Use OUR post office, OUR banking system, OUR Insurance system, Park you car at the airport where we do, Disarm us, but include all your ARMED guards. Give them the same whistle you would give us.

OK sorry about that. Just couldn't resist it. I guess you could ask me what I really think. LOL Larry

I was a part of the ZPG movement in the '70s, since it was obvious that population control was the only way the human race would avoid wrecking the planet. You would not believe the amount of hatred directed at anyone who suggested that the most effective way to reduce your environmental impact was to not reproduce.