On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Governor Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency concerning electricity reliability for an upcoming heat wave:

The Proclamation suspends certain permitting requirements and allows facilities to produce more electricity on any day that a Grid Warning or Emergency Notice is issued by CAISO. The Proclamation suspends state and local air quality and permitting requirements that restrict the amount of power a facility may generate, that restrict the amount of fuel a facility may use, or that impose air quality requirements preventing power plants and operators of back-up generators from generating additional power during peak demand hours. This may include any permit condition, regulation, or law that prohibits, restricts, or penalizes the use of stationary or portable generators during Extreme Heat Events. In part, the Proclamation allows the use of backup generators and similar backup power sources to increase energy production and meet the demands on California’s electrical grid during peak times of this state of emergency.

The Proclamation requires permitted facilities to notify Feather River AQMD – as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) – within 48 hours if their operations will result in the exceedance of permit requirements. Additionally, such facilities are required to provide a report to Feather River AQMD, CARB, and the CEC within 30 days of operation, and provide the following information: the additional fuel used, the additional hours of operation, and the energy produced by that additional use.

For facilities permitted to operate within the District’s jurisdiction, notifications can be sent via email to fraqmd@fraqmd.org.

Examples of permit conditions that may require notification if exceeded include, but are not limited to, limits on total annual hours of operation, maximum heat inputs, daily or monthly emission limits, differential pressures, or fuel usage rates. Requirements that do not restrict power generation, such as monitoring and recordkeeping, will remain in full effect. Facilities that exceed permit requirements and fail to notify Feather River AQMD in accordance with the Proclamation must continue to comply with permit conditions and/or limits.

Feather River AQMD encourages facilities to continue to mitigate emissions from increased power generation to the maximum extent possible during this time in order to limit public health impacts. The District supports efforts to reduce energy use and encourages businesses and individuals alike to do their part, including the following:

• Set thermostats to 78° or higher between 2:00 and 10:00 p.m.
• Refrain from using major appliances between 2:00 and 10:00 p.m.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and use energy efficient lamps when needed.
• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air.
• Charge electric cars after 9:00 p.m.

Please contact the District at (530) 634-7659 with questions.

Other information that may be useful during this event:

For general information on installing generators in Yuba or Sutter county, please refer to this Compliance Assistance Advisory:

The Generator Advisory was prepared prior to the emergency declaration.  If you have questions about the Advisory please contact the District at (530) 634-7659 ext 201.

Emergency Backup Power Options - Residential

Form 40 - Notification of Operation in an Emergency Event 

Information on Notification of Operation in an Emergency Event

General information on the Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP)

Information on Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

Previous Proclamations:

The Governor of California signed a Proclamation of a State of Emergency for the historic wind event occuring in California in 2019 and for energy use in July 2021.  This Proclamation are similar to the August 21 Proclamation, and are provided below: