Ozone Season Just Ended in Philadelphia. Now Is When the Fines Can Catch Up.

Hannah Fried-Petersen

32 minutes ago

2 min read

Philadelphia's “Ozone Season” ran May 1 through September 30, and those seasonal restrictions on emergency generators and fire pumps have been lifted until next spring. For facilities that will receive a violation for their activities this past season, the next six months are the best time to reduce the impact of this year’s violations and correct course for next year.

During hot, sunny conditions, many cities already have high levels of ground level ozone, creating an increased health risk for their residents. Combustion equipment like generators can further contribute to ground level ozone. Many cities, including Philadelphia, restrict non-emergency use of emergency generators to help reduce ground level ozone. From May 1 through September 30, the City's Air Management Services (AMS) limits when this equipment can be run, tested, tuned, or maintained.

The Restriction That Surprises Operators

Most facility managers now know that generators cannot be run on Air Quality Action Days, days when the AQI forecast is Orange or Red. What catches facilities off guard is the scope of the rule: even routine generator maintenance counts as operation. Testing, tuning, oil changes, and load testing all fall under “Ozone Season” restrictions, which means they can only be performed during permitted hours on days when the AQI allows. The one exemption is a genuine emergency, when running the equipment is unavoidable.

The Violation That Has Nothing to Do With Pollution

Did you know that the City can issue a violation and fine for an incomplete logbook alone, even if the equipment operation itself was fully compliant?

AMS expects facilities to record the date, time, duration, and reason of any generator or fire pump use during “Ozone Season,” along with the AQI color code for that day. Note that as of this past season, AMS only accepts AQI data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for the Southeast PA region. Sources such as AirNow are no longer accepted for compliance purposes.

If an inspector asks and the logbook is missing entries, undated, or inconsistent with maintenance records, the citation follows the paperwork. Often, operators get dinged for documentation, not the actual emissions.

Best Practices for 2027

With “Ozone Season” behind us, now is the natural checkpoint.

Review the following now:

Check your maintenance records from May through September, since routine maintenance was also restricted.
Check your internal procedure for checking the AQI forecast, including who makes the call and when.
Check your training for personnel responsible for these actions, to train new team members as they change.
Check with your generator maintenance company to ensure that scheduled visits are not during prohibited hours.

Six months is enough time to rebuild good practices and a clear track record, before your next inspection.

Questions?

EES can review your records and procedures, help correct any gaps, and set up a tracking system that meets AMS requirements before the next “Ozone Season” begins.