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The diesel dilemma
It’s no surprise that California is a global leader in climate policy and the procurement of clean energy resources. But the state also has a dirty secret — the consistent and increasing use of diesel generators for backup and emergency power, which remains a hidden and growing threat to air quality and public health while doing nothing to support greater grid resiliency.
The numbers are staggering. Diesel generators in the Bay Area Air District and South Coast Air Quality Management District territories emit as much pollution as over 3,300 medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks annually — although most of their run time is for routine testing and maintenance, not emergencies. That same diesel exhaust is contributing to an estimated 70% of California’s known cancer risk from toxic air contaminants.
So why is diesel generation still so prevalent in a state that’s known for setting the standard in emissions reductions? The answer lies in energy security concerns. As climate change drives extreme weather events — heatwaves, wildfires, and power shortages — businesses and critical infrastructure turn to diesel for reliability. And that reliance comes at a high cost, exacerbating air pollution, public health risks, and greenhouse gas emissions.
A cleaner, more resilient alternative
The good news? California doesn’t need to choose between reliability and sustainability. Natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) fueled solutions offer a proven alternative to diesel that’s cleaner and more resilient with a much lower impact on the environment and public health:
Unlike diesel, which remains a pollutant regardless of improvements, RNG captures methane emissions from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural operations, making it a critical tool for decarbonization.
Bold climate policy efforts must be taken
California has made strong and firm commitments to clean energy, aiming for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. Yet, regulatory gaps still allow diesel generation to grow, particularly during grid emergencies.
Here are some highlights of the progress that’s been made:
But more needs to be done. Policymakers must:
A call to action
When it comes to climate goals and emissions reductions, California clearly leads by example. But the state has an opportunity to prove that reliability and sustainability doesn’t just need to coexist, they must become critical components of the state’s energy mix. Businesses, policymakers, and community leaders must work together to embrace clean, scalable, and resilient alternatives to diesel, and natural gas distributed power generation is a viable and affordable solution that is available right now.
I’m proud of the steps California has taken to establish itself as a leader in the energy transition, but we must act now before the next energy crisis pushes us further into diesel dependence. As a state, California already sets the standard for a cleaner future. Now, let’s establish the policies and infrastructure that allows clean energy to power resilience—not pollution.
Want to take a deeper dive into this topic? Download our whitepaper to learn more about solving California’s diesel proliferation problem; Cleaner power for California communities: Solving the state’s diesel proliferation problem.
This article was originally published on LinkedIn.
