Summary
This bill would prohibit the use of diesel-powered engines for private or public electricity production in areas of the state that do not meet health-based air quality standards for ozone set by the U.S. EPA, with certain exceptions for emergency use in a power outage and for units that meet strict emissions standards. 

Explanation
Under air quality standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for ozone smog, many counties in New York State are now categorized as “non-attainment” due to poor air quality. Diesel-powered engines contribute to the smog affecting these counties. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), of which New York is a member, estimated that about 7,080 tons of pollution per year are emitted by small generators operating purely to reduce the owners’ energy costs and without any emergency value.  These small units operate most frequently during times of hot weather and high prices.  Diesel engines often operate in or close to populated areas, emitting pollution at lung-level into surrounding residential areas. The nitrogen oxides emitted by these engines contributes to the blanket of smog that chokes urban areas on summer days.  The majority of diesel generators currently in use are very polluting compared to other electricity generating technologies.  As this bill requires, these dirty diesels should be used only during actual power outages.

Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports this bill.