In a recent decision, the California Public Utilities Commission will allow California’s utilities to continue to rely on diesel standby generators to provide reliable electricity supply during planned outages known as public safety power shutoffs. Near-zero emissions diesel backup generators coupled with low carbon renewable diesel fuel will address environmental concerns while keeping the lights on for many Californians, according to the Diesel Technology Forum. 

“As a result of the unprecedented wildfire and summer heat events of 2020, diesel technology played a central role in mitigating negative impacts from public safety power shutoff events that de-energized portions of the grid to mitigate further widespread outages,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a not-for-profit association representing manufacturers of diesel engines and equipment, key suppliers of emissions control and other technologies, and fuel producers.

“Based on this success and the availability of near-zero emissions diesel options, the Public Utilities Commission made the right decision to allow utilities to continue to rely on diesel standby generators to protect public health and safety for communities across California as work continues to develop next-generation zero-emissions solutions.”

The decision issued by the Public Utilities Commission requires utilities to transition to the latest near-zero emissions diesel standby generators over the next two years.