The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the routine or primary use of on-site generators, whether producing electrical or mechanical power, when fueled by fossil fuels, petroleum-based products, or other combustible materials, except under limited circumstances.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Franklin 10-28-2025 by Ord. No. 4483-25. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Means any generator that produces no more than a de minimis level, as determined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, of net greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutant emissions at the point of generation and at any point in the fuel supply chain of the facility. It cannot be fossil fueled, petroleum product-fueled or combustible material-fueled.
Means any employee of the Township or person duly authorized to inspect and enforce this chapter, including but not limited to personnel of the Planning and Zoning Department or anyone so designated by the Township Manager.
Means any generator that uses as fuel any non-fossil combustible material, including but not limited to:
WOOD AND WOOD WASTE
Logs, chips, sawdust, pellets, forestry residues.
AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES
Corn stalks, wheat straw, rice husks, nut shells, fruit pits.
ENERGY CROPS
Switchgrass, miscanthus, willow, poplar, or other crops grown for fuel.
BIOGAS
Methane-rich gas from manure, food scraps, or sewage (burned in engines/turbines).
LANDFILL GAS
Methane captured from decomposing waste.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW)
Refuse-derived fuel from sorted garbage, waste-to-energy incineration.
ANIMAL WASTE
Dried manure or litter (e.g., poultry litter), direct burn or pelletized.
BLACK LIQUOR
Byproduct of the paper pulping industry.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Corn, sugar cane, sugar beets, or other crops fermented into alcohol fuels.
Means a sudden and unexpected disruption in grid-supplied electricity due to weather, accident, or utility failure, declared or recognized by the Township, county, state, or utility provider. Emergency also includes the malfunction or damage of electrical equipment.
Means any generator that uses as fuel fossil fuels, including but not limited to:
Means any device, engine, turbine, or apparatus that converts fuel or combustible material into electrical or mechanical power.
Means any generator that uses as fuel petroleum-derived material, including but not limited to:
C.
Permitted exceptions. Use of fossil fuel, petroleum product, or combustible material generators is permitted only:
(1)
During temporary emergency conditions;
(2)
For maintenance or exercising of generators;
(3)
For construction activities; or
(4)
For mobile operations, such as refrigerated trucks or food service vehicles, where both the operation and generator are mobile.
(5)
Emergency or stand by generators used exclusively to provide power to a single-family residential dwelling.
A.
This chapter shall be enforced by a Code Enforcement Official.
B.
Any person or entity found in violation shall receive a written notice of violation including block, lot, address, statement of violation(s), and penalty.
C.
Each day a violation continues after notice has been served constitutes a separate offense.
D.
Penalties shall not be less than $500 per day and not exceed $2,000 per day of non-compliance.