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Eduardo Cordero

NJDEP Updates General Operating Permits GOP-003 and GOP-004

Updated: Nov 11, 2020


The NJDEP Division of Air Quality recently revised the General Operating Permits (GOP-003) for an Emergency Generator Burning Distillate Fuel Oil and (GOP-004) for an Emergency Generator Burning Gaseous Fuels. These revised General Operating Permits update the definition of "Emergency Generator" and the Facility Specific Requirements (Compliance Plan) section to include Emergency Operation During Construction, Repair and Maintenance activities consistent with the latest State regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:27-22.1 and N.J.A.C. 7:27-19.1.

The GOP-003 allows for the construction, installation, and operation of a single emergency generator, 2007 model year or later, having a maximum heat input rate less than or equal to 30 million BTU per hour (MMBTU/hr.) based on the higher heating value (HHV) of the fuel, and complying with the New Source Performance Standard for Stationary Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines 40 CFR 60 (NSPS Subpart IIII).

The GOP-003 permit has the following conditions:

  • Applicable to a compression ignition emergency generator combusting only No. 2 fuel oil, diesel fuel or kerosene.

  • Maximum allowable sulfur content in No. 2 fuel oil, diesel fuel or kerosene shall be less than or equal to 0.0015 percent (15 parts per million) by weight.

  • May only be used at facilities with an approved Title V Operating Permit.

  • May only be used for an emergency generator not currently permitted in a facility’s approved Title V Operating Permit.

  • Allows for operation of the Emergency Generator during the following three (3) conditions:

  • Performance of normal testing and maintenance procedures, as recommended in writing by the manufacturer and/or as required in writing by a Federal or State law or regulation;

  • When there is power outage or the primary source of mechanical or thermal energy fails because of an emergency, or when the power disruption resulted from construction, repair, or maintenance activity at the facility. Operation of the emergency generator under construction, repair, or maintenance activity is limited to 30 days in any calendar year; or

  • When there is a voltage reduction issued by PJM (Regional Electricity Transmission Organization) and posted on the PJM internet website (www.pjm.com) under the “emergency procedures” menu.

  • Opacity must be below or equal to 20 %, exclusive of visible condensed water vapor, except for a period of no longer than 10 consecutive seconds.

  • Generator fuel limited to No. 2 fuel oil, diesel fuel or kerosene.

  • Sulfur Content in No. 2 fuel oil, diesel fuel or kerosene must be lower or equal to 0.0015 % by weight or 15 ppm.

  • Emergency generators may be operated for the purpose of maintenance checks and readiness testing limited to 100 hours per year, provided that those tests are recommended by Federal, State, or local government, the manufacturer, the vendor, or the insurance company associated with the engine.

  • The GOP-003 permit contains eight (8) operating scenarios, depending on type of equipment (Fire pump or Emergency Power Generator), manufacturing date and engine power.

The GOP-004 permit allows for the construction, installation, and operation of one of the following:

  • A single emergency generator, where the date of manufacture is on or after January 1, 2009 with a Certificate of Conformity and certified to conform with the emissions standards of the New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines (NSPS Subpart JJJJ) for the equipment manufacture date, maximum engine power, engine type and fuel;

  • A single emergency generator, constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006, and subject to the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (MACT Subpart ZZZZ); or

  • A single emergency generator, constructed on or after June 12, 2006 and before January 1, 2009, including a Commercial, Institutional or Residential Emergency Stationary RICE.

The GOP-004 permit has the following conditions:

  • May only be used at facilities with an approved Title V Operating Permit and may only be used for an emergency generator not currently permitted in a facility’s approved Title V Operating Permit. Facilities may obtain more than one GOP-004.

  • Allowed to operate during an emergency, as defined by the permit, at other locations throughout the State of New Jersey (statewide).

  • Applicable to spark ignition emergency generators combusting only Natural Gas or Propane.

  • The owner or operator must comply with the maximum normal operating hours for normal testing and maintenance, entered by the Permittee in the General Operating Permit application, not to exceed 100 hours per year.

  • The Responsible Official representing the company’s owner or operator shall certify annually that the emergency generator is operated in compliance with all applicable requirements in the permit.

  • Opacity shall be below or equal to 20 %, exclusive of visible condensed water vapor, except for a period of no longer than 10 consecutive seconds.

  • The GOP-004 permit provides for 6 different operating scenarios, depending on the equipment construction date, regulatory requirements (e.g. MACT Subpart ZZZZ, NSPS Subpart JJJJ) and maximum engine power.

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