Use of Internal Combustion Engine Generators Generally Prohibited, Warns DCC

generator

Emergency generator. [Image from Can Stock Photos]

Press release from Department of Cannabis Control (DCC):

This guidance is to remind all Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) licensees, regardless of license type, of their responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations related to the operation of generators.

Specifically, the use of internal combustion engine generators is generally prohibited for primary or supplemental power to a licensee’s building, facility, or premises. In limited circumstances, emergency internal combustion generators and turbines may be allowed if they are operated under an existing permit issued by the applicable Air District, or if they are registered under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP). The operation of such internal combustion generators and turbines must be on a temporary, emergency basis and must comply with the terms and conditions of the applicable permit or registration.

In addition to the above requirements that apply to all licensees, cultivators specifically must also comply with the requirements provided in California Code of Regulations, title 4, section 16306.

Please be aware that connecting unauthorized generators or using such generators in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the applicable permit or registration, may result in the shutdown and removal of the equipment. It may also subject the licensee to disciplinary action from the applicable Air District, CARB, and/or the DCC.

Specific questions regarding the operation of generators at your premises may be directed to your local Air District. Follow the links below for additional information.

Resources:

California Air Resources Board’s Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP)

California Air Resources Board’s Frequently Asked Questions on PERP

Find your Applicable Air District

Air District Rules

Department of Cannabis Current Code of Regulations

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NoBody
Guest
NoBody
1 year ago

Maybe it’s time to use external combustion engine generators instead. 🤔

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
1 year ago
Reply to  NoBody

Well, that is just a good old steam boiler… maybe a new industry will be launched making donkey dope engines !

bearjew
Guest
bearjew
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

hook an inverter to a used Tesla… problem solved 🙂

NoBody
Guest
NoBody
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

Doesn’t ‘have’ to be steam.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

👍

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  NoBody

Good idea!

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
1 year ago

Battery powered generators are becoming popular.

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago
Reply to  Miguel

It’s not a battery powered generator. It’s just a battery with an inverter. It still must be charged by some alternate source of power.

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
1 year ago
Reply to  Fndrbndr

Went right over your head eh? Battery powered generator……… Oh, nevermind.

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago
Reply to  Miguel

not really, some actually think they are generators. thought you were one of those

Rocky
Guest
Rocky
1 year ago
Reply to  Fndrbndr

That is how they are marketed in ads! They call them”solar generators” cause they come with a solar panel.

Bug on a Windshield
Guest
Bug on a Windshield
1 year ago
Reply to  Rocky

I thought a “solar generator” created sunlight. Or, at the very least, fusion. I need to get one. Costco?

Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago

California can’t produce enough power without using natural gas generators for the power grid, so they have generators running 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
California gets a heat wave and they ask every cultivator to stop using the power grid and start using a generator.
But I can’t use a generator that is under 50 decibels to charge my off grid batteries every few days
During the rainy season.

This Is My Name
Guest
This Is My Name
1 year ago

So is every single grower who uses a generator going to be busted for this??

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago

Where can I buy a nuclear powered generator then (edit)?

Zipline
Guest
Zipline
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Russia and nasa use them for soace use. Expensive.

Bug on a Windshield
Guest
Bug on a Windshield
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Craigslist. I’ve got one at my beach resort in Nebraska.

Redwood Dan
Guest
Redwood Dan
1 year ago

Wait, wait, wait…. wasn’t it only a month or two ago when DCC was telling us to use the generators?
It’s like some fucked up game of Mother May I. How about they pull permits from some of the mega indoor operations in the desert if they need more power, operations using obscene amounts of water and power with permits that shouldn’t have been issued to begin with.
The system is broken. Bend or break the rules you need to in order to survive.
DONT- make a mess.
– hurt the environment.
-disturb your neighbors.
And you will be fine.

Last edited 1 year ago
Notheone
Guest
Notheone
1 year ago
Reply to  Redwood Dan

Right? WTH? Set up to fail and arrest.

This Is My Name
Guest
This Is My Name
1 year ago
Reply to  Redwood Dan

Unilateral decision making when two or more parties are involved almost always ends in breakdown, if not a fiery wreckage and scars.

FogDog
Guest
FogDog
1 year ago
Reply to  Redwood Dan

Wish all growers were as considerate as you, Dan. 🍻

Vet
Guest
Vet
1 year ago
Reply to  Redwood Dan

Except for the fines which are completely arbitrary

Reggie
Guest
1 year ago

California has to be the dumbest state in all the usa

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago
Reply to  Reggie

California has taken the political path to Idiocracy.

Cy AnseD
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

Not yet, they haven’t elected a Republican majority in the state — that would be idiotic.

Jerry
Guest
Jerry
1 year ago
Reply to  Cy Anse

That is why they are such an fu*ked up state. Calif is a prime example of what happens when democrats have control of anything.

Brian
Guest
Brian
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerry

Well I guess that’s why calif is primed to become the 4th largest economy in the world. Why do you folks disparage democrats. It seem the most childish antics are the various republicans who spend more time and energy bashing anybody who does not believe as they do how about you do your job and represent your constituents oh you can’t cause your incapable of finding meaning solutions. To issues all you understand is ad hominem attacks. I have never seen such immaturity in the republican party glad I changed to independent. In my humble opinion tthe republican party is the biggest problem try educating yourself. I trust you know how to read

Bananas 🍌
Guest
Bananas 🍌
1 year ago
Reply to  Brian

And a huge Homeless Economy to boot!
It is its own self perpetuating machine.

Last edited 1 year ago
Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
1 year ago
Reply to  Brian

If you read that story about being primed to be the 4 th largest in the world you will see that it is a fluff piece and that was before tech giants Clorox and everyone else went running from the state not to mention the Declining gdp here in this state mixed in with over regulation that stifles productions and you will find California slightly Above the turd circling the toilet of someone with a high fiber diet

Cy AnseD
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Reggie

I’m pretty sure Texas and Florida are fighting for the title if you’re talking just plain smack-your-head dumb behaviors. But if you’re talking education level, that’s West Virginia followed by 10 other Republican-led states.

BigRick
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Cy Anse

I don’t think this boy’s cornbread is cooked all the way through to the middle

Last edited 1 year ago
Vective
Guest
Vective
1 year ago

Recent wildfires have released more carbon into the atmosphere than has been reduced by all measures since CA regulations were first enacted.

Also,

I’m old enough to remember the scientific theory that when CO2 increases, so do the oceanic phytoplankton which not only increases O production, but also the reflectivity of the oceans surface (Albedo). IOW phytoplankton blooms cause sunlight to be reflected instead of being absorbed (as heat) by the oceans.

Not Blind
Guest
Not Blind
1 year ago
Reply to  Vective

Also, excess CO2 helps plants grow faster. I like how all these “experts” are complaining about 450ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere. I’ve seen growers pump indoor rooms to 1200 and the plants THRIVED. Remember folks, it’s simple organic chemistry. LIGHT + CO2 = PHOTOSYNTHESIS!!!

For those in the back who may have a hard time hearing…
THE EARTH IS A SELF-REGULATING SYSTEM!!! NO HUMAN INTERVENTION REQUIRED!!!

Dano
Guest
Dano
1 year ago
Reply to  Not Blind

The human intervention is burning fossil fuels in 200 years that which was sequestered over billions of years.

Not Blind
Guest
Not Blind
1 year ago
Reply to  Dano

What about volcanic events? Those spew more carbon than any man made activity.

Cy AnseD
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Not Blind

That assumes that CO2 is limiting growth under natural conditions and it seldom is — water and nutrients are usually limiting growth. Indoor cannabis growers can supplement water and nutrients. Under field experiments you seldom see any sustained increase in growth with increased CO2.

Not Blind
Guest
Not Blind
1 year ago
Reply to  Cy Anse

That is incorrect. Lack of nitrogen and soil compaction are the two limiting factors to agricultural success in any part of the world. No one doing field experiments is adding CO2 as it’s outside…🤦

Dano
Guest
Dano
1 year ago
Reply to  Vective

All this is modeled. And CO2 increases the acidity of seawater.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago
Reply to  Dano

The models are crap and have a long history of producing crap results (always too warm).

How do you model a chaotic system?

How do you model climate when climate sensitivity is very poorly understood (climate sensitivity estimates vary by an order of magnitude)?

How do you trust climate scientists after ClimateGate?

Why do governments (IPCC) run climate science?

Why do the vast majority of people claiming there are going to be catastrophic results from CO2 caused warming know so very little about actual climate science?

Cy AnseD
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

The models are simplifications of complex systems but have been repeatedly demonstrated to be useful in understanding how climate systems work. No model is perfect in any field because that’s the nature of modeling. With climate change it’s the sheer number of models that agree on the trends that’s important.

ClimateGate has been repeatedly overblown by conservatives and occurred more than a dozen years ago. Most of the controversy was in emails taken out of context.

Climate is a global phenomenon — a global organization seems best suited for integrating data at that level but the IPCC isn’t “running” climate science, it simply collates and publishes periodic summaries.

Why do people who know absolutely nothing about climate science repeatedly deny there’s any impact to CO2 increases? I mean just basic knowledge of physics and chemistry will tell you something.

BigRick
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Cy Anse

How much are you paid to spread such pseudoscience bigoted nonsense LMAO

You literally blame everything on Republican. that horse has been beat to a bloody pulp.

Last edited 1 year ago
bearjew
Guest
bearjew
1 year ago

“But Daaaaaad”

Please be aware that connecting unauthorized generators or using such generators in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the applicable permit or registration, may result in the shutdown and removal of the equipment. It may also subject the licensee to disciplinary action from the applicable Air District, CARB, and/or the DCC.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago

Hmm…

Does it make a difference what kind of fuel is being utilized?

No?

So, grid electricity, that is, in Humboldt, generated by natural gas internal combustion engines, is being prioritized over, wait for it…

Off grid electricity, that would be generated by internal combustion engines, (with no transmission loss), is being prohibited?

This is a classic case of, “do as we say, not as we do”…

BigRick
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

It’s a classic case of PG&E being in the pocket of our state government and using their lobbyists to manipulate our rules and regulations and laws to benefit their corporation

Vet
Guest
Vet
1 year ago
Reply to  BigRick

You have that exactly BACKWARDS

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Guest

//”Does it make a difference what kind of fuel is being utilized?”//

Yes. The DCC regulations regarding generators (16306) apply ONLY to diesel generators. Says so right in the first sentence of the regulations.

(that’s not to say that there are no regulations which apply to gaseous generators, there are, but the DCC doesn’t regulate them via their own regulations and they CAN be used with the proper documentation.

Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

No where it says it only applies to diesel generators

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

Rather than just ignorantly comment, read the first sentence of the ONLY section on generators (16306):

//”(a) For the purposes of this section, “generator” means a stationary or portable compression ignition engine as defined in title 17, California Code of Regulations, section”//

Diesel only. You’re welcome.

JB

Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

JB It appears you are correct my bad
It’s strange that the Press release from the DCC says all internal combustion generators, but the regulations state only compression ignition generators (which are diesel)
Looks like a diesel generator can be used under some situations

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

No worries. I’m as confused as you are about the DCC announcement given that they literally have zero control of generators used in cannabis outside of diesels.

Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

When the Cal Cannabis regulations went into affect for cultivators, there was a 2023 deadline for a percentage of electricity to be from renewable energy.
Now the DCC regulations have moved the hoops.

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

That regulation is still there untouched (16305), but it doesn’t say (and never did) that you must have a certain percentage of renewables. What is says is that from 2023 on, you must demonstrate that your GHG emission intensity is equal to or better than that of the utility grid serving your area.

This can be met in a number of ways even if you are off grid.

Last edited 1 year ago
Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

So even if you have a generator that is not diesel it could be difficult to match the Green House gas emissions that PG&E reports

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

Depends on your setup. If you’re just doing hoop dep with the electricity going just for supplemental lighting, you aren’t going to meet those numbers without purchasing credits to get you even.

If you’re a fully controlled environment greenhouse where you need the heat and co2, then you can cogen and beat their numbers by a very large margin (and save significant money on your bottom line in the process). There are licenses operating this way as we have this exchange.

Folks who don’t do their research will have a fit and say there is a double standard — there isn’t in this case. It’s straightforward and perfect according to the regulations and lower ghg footprint than the grid. Depending on your utility and location, there are even tax credits and subsidies available.

I’m not going to argue that the average Mom-Pop farm can easily (or even practically) fit into this scheme. They can’t. It’s a new world in our industry. Change is hard.

Last edited 1 year ago
Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

PG&E has the hugest carbon footprint, they have people driving around in circles all year, Helicopters flying, chainsaws running, generators running,
and many diesel engines, that is where the double standard is.

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

So PG&E has many diesel engines running around legally — so do growers. That’s not a double standard at all.

A stand-alone, small scale diesel generator is undoubtedly a higher producer (by far) of ghg than is the PG&E grid. The DCC simply insists that growers be as clean as the grid it if they choose to grow without plugging into it. That’s an equal standard, not a double standard.

Last edited 1 year ago
Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

I completely disagree
PG&E is a environmental disaster, a small tier 4 diesel generator connected to a off grid solar system is not.
You are not calculating the total GHG PG&E produces, that includes all their contractors.
And then we could start talking about wildfires and tree cutting next.

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crap

//”You are not calculating the total GHG PG&E produces, that includes all their contractors.”//

And in reference to this exchange, you’re not calculating the total ghg grower production either.

You’re trying to have your cake and eat it too.

Crap
Guest
Crap
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

Well the grower GHG production would be the same PG&E or no PG&E. No cake for me

Notheone
Guest
Notheone
1 year ago

WTH! A couple of months ago growers were told to use them because of the power grid could not hold provide the electricity. Now they’re told not to use them. I wonder if it’s just safer not to use them between 4 and 9 PM? CA get your information together. Lol

Rio
Guest
Rio
1 year ago

Just because you have a driver’s license, doesn’t mean you don’t break the speed limit once in a while

Jorge Cervantes
Guest
Jorge Cervantes
1 year ago
Reply to  Rio

I’m shocked! Are you inferring Licensed cultivators are capable of breaking laws? I thought they were holier then thou. “They came out of the shadows to be compliant boot kickers”.If you don’t like licking the government’s boots. You shouldn’t have signed up. Your drivers license is a privilege not a right.

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago

Hilarious.
Trying to regulate generators when PGE won’t or cannot provide power. What are we supposed to do?

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Fndrbndr

Die. They want you to die. Their corporate friends need more market share…more more more

Fndrbndr
Guest
Fndrbndr
1 year ago
Reply to  Farce

almost there

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Fndrbndr

I’m sorry. Me too.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago

We look forward to the Air District/CARB or DCC to go do their job and bust all the cultivators in Desert Hot Springs, San Luis Obispo and LA who use generators to grow. Then Humboldlt can do their job and collect the taxes owed by the large cultivators who still have not paid. Then, maybe then the 10k and under grows will comply otherwise I think another lawsuit is in order. Who knows how long the feds will take to reschedule weed but one way is to challenge them in the court of law. Weed should be at the same level as aspirin.

I noticed the convoys have seemed to disappear since the violation of our constitional rights is headed to a court of law.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
1 year ago

At this time, this seems like a calculated move to put a nail in the coffin of all the off grid (legacy / “Dirty hippie pot farmers!”) in the hills. Many farms have failed due to the over regulation and the undermining of the small-medium industry by the government.
Now they go in for the kill! They know off grid farms can’t survive year ’round off alternative power sources. They have always wanted to get the growers out of the hills and onto flat (easily regulated and surveilled) lands.
I support changes to be made to protect the climate/ planet. We all have to suck it up in our lifestyles and choices as best we can. And yes. If someone is running an indoor operation off grid, burning fossil fuels 10-12 months a year, that seems like a bad plan. But the agencies/ government are exploiting the climate issue to meet their agenda.
Lots of comments here reflect the truth about the contradictions of these rules. And while I agree to some point Redwood Dan, I disagree with one of your assertions: ‘The system isn’t broken’. It’s functioning just as planned, stab after stab, to kill the legacy farmers off!

Last edited 1 year ago
thetallone
Guest
thetallone
1 year ago
Reply to  Ben Round

Yep, seems like it.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago

This is designed to move growers off FF powered generators onto solar panels and batteries. One consequence of this will be lots of toxic waste in our beautiful forested hills from discarded batteries and solar panels as growers go out of business.

Also, does not seem like equal treatment under the law.

Unforgiven
Guest
Unforgiven
1 year ago

Dope growers and voters invited the Marxist powers in Sacramento to help themselves to a generous portion of their profits. Those offerings to the Marxist overlords have dwindled so they need to replace those losses with fines. Keep stepping up to be shorn, ewe all…

Baahhh-ah-ah!

Some guy
Guest
Some guy
1 year ago

More government over reach .. the hypocrisy behind it drives me nuts. Humboldt Bay power plant…. Massive diesel Gen op

Oh Please
Guest
Oh Please
1 year ago

So does this mean that the almost daily truckload of fuel delivered for the 7 acre Rolling Meadows Pot Farm used to power it’s four 150 kilowatt generators has to stop?
Naah. I doubt the state will close down a cash cow like Rolling Meadows.

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago

That’s it!!!

Biden is spot on!!!

Let’s all go green!!!

I’m investing in THIS technology!!!

I think that you should all join me…

It’s the internal combustion energy storage system…

Screenshot_20220927-200419.png
Last edited 1 year ago
Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago

The question we need to ask our overlords- “how will we charge our Teslas during the winter ?? 🤣😂🥹

Gavin Loathsom
Guest
Gavin Loathsom
1 year ago

Do you notice that while they were telling people not to run their dishwashers or charge their electric vehicles this summer, that nobody suggested allowing California’s number one cash crop to go without grow lights! If the left had no double standards, they would have no standards at all! I’ll also bet the French Laundry never had a blackout day!

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Gavin Loathsom

There should be ZERO permits allowed for indoor grows. All existing indoor grows should have their permits rescinded. If we are in an energy crisis then we should not be encouraging huge indoor grows of a plant that grows just fine in the sun. Indoor needs to be shut down…

Nono
Guest
Nono
1 year ago

Lol so is the use of foreign labor.

Arctostaphylos
Guest
Arctostaphylos
1 year ago

Better go modify your permits!

M Guest
Guest
M Guest
1 year ago

The funny thing is I’m a contractor for so cal edison and we are installing a new circuit to power all the pot farms in California City so we( as so cal edison customers)can all pay for a new circuit so they can collect more money, yet if we choose to place solar on our homes under the new net metering proposal we will have to pay for edison not getting there cut, the sad truth is if edison needs more money they just raise our rates and the cpuc just let’s them do it