On August 10th the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule which removes the provision for using emergency engines for demand response.
Previously, a Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) could operate for up to 100 hours for non-emergency situations and these 100 hours could be used for emergency demand response. An emergency demand response is where the facility is compensated by their power utility to operate during periods where there is a grid emergency that could lead to a blackout situation. With the publication of this final rule this is no longer acceptable and the operation of emergency engines is limited to emergency situations.
For more information about RICE and emergency engines requirements, CLICK HERE.
You can also view the final rule and fact sheet.