California's Emergency Generator Rules: What You Need to Know for 2025

Wildfires and power outages have become increasingly common in California, leading many residents to rely on portable generators. However, California has strict regulations regarding generator emissions. Due to ongoing fire weather conditions in California posing an imminent threat to the health and safety of Californians through on-going wildfires, a state of emergency was declared on January 7, 2025. This article explains how the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is temporarily adjusting its regulations to address potential generator shortages during this emergency.

The Need for Portable Generators During Emergencies

When wildfires cause power outages, portable generators become essential for:

• Powering medical devices.
• Keeping refrigerators running to preserve food and medications.
• Providing essential electricity for homes and businesses.

California's Strict Emission Standards for Generators

California mandates that all portable generators rated at or below 19 kilowatts must be certified to meet the state's stringent emission standards before they can be legally sold within the state. These standards are in place to protect air quality and public health.

Temporary Flexibility During the State of Emergency

Recognizing potential shortages of California-certified generators due to increased demand during the ongoing wildfires, CARB is exercising temporary flexibility. From January 7, 2025, through June 30, 2025, CARB is temporarily allowing the import, distribution, sale, and offer for sale of U.S. EPA-certified generators (less than 19 kilowatts) under specific conditions.

Conditions for Selling U.S. EPA Certified Generators

This temporary allowance comes with several important stipulations for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers:

• Manufacturer Reporting: Manufacturers wanting to take advantage of this advisory were required to send a letter to CARB indicating their desire to participate by:
  • Indicating the current make(s) and model(s) of California-certified portable generators that sold out.
  • Identifying the intended replacement products that are certified to federal emissions standards.
  • Describing their production plan to increase production more rapidly to address future supply shortfalls.
  • Manufacturers must report to CARB by July 31, 2025, how many U.S. EPA certified generators they distributed or sold, broken down by make and model. A reporting template is available here.
• Notification to Distributors and Retailers: Manufacturers must inform wholesalers, distributors, and retailers that the sale of these U.S. EPA-certified generators is only permitted in California until June 30, 2025.
• Record Keeping: Distributors, wholesalers, and retailers must maintain detailed records of the affected generators they distribute or sell, including the make and model. These records must be made available to CARB upon request.
• Priority for California-Certified Generators: Manufacturers that do not already have California certification(s) for model-years 2023, 2024, and/or 2025 generators are prohibited from selling U.S. EPA certified generators in California. If California-certified generators become available to a manufacturer, those must be sold before offering a U.S. EPA certified generator.

Important Deadline: June 30, 2025

It is crucial to remember that this temporary allowance expires on June 30, 2025. After this date, any generator offered for sale or sold without California certification will be considered a violation and subject to penalties under CARB’s Enforcement Policy.

Safety Precautions for Consumers

Regardless of certification, consumers should always prioritize safety when operating portable generators. Follow these guidelines:

• Adhere to all manufacturer instructions.
• Only add enough fuel to the generator's tank for immediate use.
• Never store the generator with fuel in the tank when it is not in use.

For more safety information, consult resources from organizations like the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).

Staying Informed

This information is based on Advisory #291 issued by CARB on January 10, 2025. For the most up-to-date details and any potential changes to these regulations, please refer to the official CARB website (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/). You can also contact CARB directly with any questions at (800) 242-4450 or via email at [email protected].

This temporary measure aims to balance the immediate need for power during emergencies with California's commitment to clean air.