Electric Co-op Today

Electric cooperatives will get another opportunity to tell the Environmental Protection Agency about the key role small backup generators play in controlling demand for electricity at peak times.

EPA has agreed to NRECA's request to reconsider its small backup generator rule. (Photo By: Generac Power Systems)

EPA informed NRECA on Oct. 18 that it will reconsider its proposed limitations on the use of reciprocal internal combustion engines, known as RICE units, for peak-shaving programs.

The agency said more details about the reconsideration will be forthcoming.

NRECA had petitioned EPA in October 2010 to reconsider a provision in the RICE rules which it said would curtail the use of small generators for important load-reduction programs at many co-ops.

Kirk Johnson, NRECA senior vice president, government relations, said the association will be working with its members to develop additional comments for EPA on the merits of the generators.

“We’re very pleased that EPA has granted our petition for reconsideration of the RICE rules, as they pertain to peak shaving,” he said. “Co-ops will make the case that these units help them to maintain a reliable and affordable supply of electricity, and also are important to their communities.”

The rules require RICE units to add expensive pollution control equipment, unless they are used for emergency purposes, such as providing power during outages, or used for a limited number of hours per year for certain purposes such as operation and maintenance testing.

However, peak-shaving use was specifically excluded from the list of purposes for which the units can be used without installing the emission controls. The complicated rule also established new reporting and record-keeping requirements.

EPA has proposed a 100-hour annual exemption from the new standards for operation and maintenance issues. In its October 2010 filing, NRECA sought to have all maintenance, testing, emergency demand reduction, voltage support and peak shaving capped at 100 hours of annual operation.

The source owner would determine how best to use the 100 hours of run time.

Co-ops have worked hard during the last year to impress the importance of RICE units and load reduction on EPA. Co-ops filed dozens of comments with the agency, and four co-op general managers met directly with top EPA officials earlier this year.

“EPA does not automatically grant reconsideration petitions, so the input our members have delivered on this issue has been invaluable, and will continue to be so going forward,” Johnson said.

Tags: Demand-Side Management, Environmental Protection Agency