The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) modified its original proposed rules designed to handle potential stress of the electric grid during the spring and summer months. This proposed backup generator rule originally applied to Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties. The new proposal would subject only Loudoun County to DEQ local variance considerations for data centers.
For background, the proposed rule would create additional flexibility for operating Tier II and Tier IV generators when power supply is constrained. Currently those generators are allowed during a PJM declared emergency. The new rules would allow Tier II and Tier IV generators to operate when PJM has initiated a “Maximum Generation Emergency/Load Management Alert” and a “Post Contingency Local Load Relief Warning,” neither of which are deemed declared emergencies.
A new public hearing will be held to collect additional public comments.
When: April 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. (ET)
Where: Conference Room, DEQ Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, Virginia 22193
Public Comment Deadline: April 21, 2023
Details about the issue are available on the DEQ website.