(Adopted: 02/22/95; Amended: mm/dd/yy)

MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-1

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

RULE 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines

(A) General

(1) Purpose: 

(a) The purpose of this Rule rule is to limit the emission of oxides of nitrogen 

from commercial, industrial and institutional stationary Stationary gas Gas 

turbinesTurbines. 

(2) Applicability: 

(a) This rule applies to any new or existing non-utility combined-cycle, 

commercial, industrial or institutional stationary Stationary gas Gas 

turbine Turbine of 0.3 megawatt (MW) and larger unless the equipment is 

exempt from this rule pursuant to Section (D) of this rule. or the turbine is 

located outside of the Federal Ozone Non-attainment Area of the Mojave 

Desert Air Quality Management District (District). [Applicability 

changed to allow rule to be enforced district wide]

(B) Definitions

(1) “Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO)” – The person appointed to the position of 

Air Pollution Control Officer of the District pursuant to the provisions of 

California Health & Safety Code §40750, and his or her designee. [Derived from 

MDAQMD Rule 1301] 

(2) “Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)” – Continuous Emissions 

Monitoring System All of the equipment that may be required to meet the data 

acquisition and availability requirements of this rule, to sample, condition (if 

applicable), analyze, and provide a record of emissions on a continuous basis. 

[Derived from 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxi)]

(3) “Dry Low NOX Combustion Technology (DLN)” – Any turbine combustor design 

which uses multiple staging, air/fuel premixing or other modifications to achieve 

lower levels of NOX emissions as compared to conventional combustors. 

[Derived from SJVUAPCD Rule 4703 §3.7]

(1) "Combined-cycle Unit" - Any stationary gas turbine operated both for the 

production of electrical energy from shaft work and the useful energy produced 

from heat recovered from its exhaust gases. [This rule is not applicable to 

combined cycle units and definition not used] 
1159-2 MDAQMD Rule 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(24) “"Emission Control System Operating Parameters” – " - Any operating 

parameter(s) that the District deems necessary to analyze for the determination of 

compliance. Such parameters include, but are not limited to, the ammonia and 

gas flow rates, the exhaust temperature for the Selective Catalytic Reduction

(SCR), humidity, water injection rate, exhaust gas flow rate and the temperature 

for water injection. [Alphabetical order corrected.]

(354) “"Emergency Standby Unit” – " - Any stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine 

Turbine that operates as a mechanical or electrical power source for a facility only 

when the primary power source has been rendered inoperable due to failure 

beyond the reasonable control of the operator. A power interruption pursuant to a 

voluntary interruptible power supply agreement is not to be considered as an 

emergency loss of primary power. Electricity generated by such a unit cannot be 

sold.

(5) “Emission Control Equipment” – Add-on technologies which control the turbine's 

emissions, including, but not limited to, Selective Catalytic Control (SCR), water 

injection, steam injection, but excluding DLN. [Added in response to public 

comment]

(6) “Emission Control System Operating Parameters” – Any operating parameter(s) 

that the District deems necessary to analyze for the determination of compliance. 

Such parameters include, but are not limited to, the ammonia and gas flow rates, 

the exhaust temperature for the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), humidity, 

water injection rate, exhaust gas flow rate and the temperature for water injection. 

(467) “"Enhanced Emissions Monitoring Device” – " - Any automated data recording 

device or system having both data gathering and retrieval capabilities. Such 

equipment includes, but is not limited to, Continuous Emissions Monitoring 

Systems (CEMS) and Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems (PEMS). 

(57) "Federal Ozone Non-attainment Area" That portion of San Bernardino County 

that lies within the lines which begin at: (a) the San Bernardino - Riverside 

County boundary, running north along the range line common to Range 3 East 

and Range 2 East; (b) then west along the township line common to Township 2 

North and Township 3 North; (c) then north along the San Bernardino - Los 

Angeles County and San Bernardino - Kern County Boundaries; (d) then east 

along ;latitude 35 degrees, 10 minutes north; (e) then south along longitude 115 

degrees, 45 minutes west and westward along the San Bernardino - Riverside 

Counties boundary.(see Map 1). [Applicability changed to allow rule to be 

enforced district wide, definition no longer used]

(678) “"Higher Heating Value (HHV) ” – " - The higher Higher heating Heating value 

Value of the fuel. 

(789) “"Lower Heating Value (LHV) ” – " - The lower Lower heating Heating value 

Value of the fuel. 
MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-3

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(8910) “"Measured NOXNOx Emissions Concentration” – " - The concentration of 

oxides of nitrogen corrected to International Standards Organization (ISO) 

standard conditions: 

NOXNOx = (NOXNOx obs)(Pref/Pobs)0.5 (288 K/Tamb)1.53 (e19(Hobs-0.00633)) 

Where: NOXNOx = emissions of NOXNOx at 15 percent oxygen and ISO 

standard conditions on a dry basis, ppm. 

NOXNOx obs = measured NOXNOx emissions corrected to 15 

percent oxygen on a dry basis, ppm. 

Pref = standard reference pressure, (14.696 psia). 

Pobs = measured site ambient absolute pressure, psia. 

Hobs = measured humidity of ambient air, pounds water per pound 

dry air. 

e = transcendental constant (2.718) 

Tamb = measured temperature of ambient air, degrees K. 

or an alternate calculation that corrects to ISO standard conditions 

and is approved by the APCO. 

(10) “PEMS” – Predictive Emissions Monitoring System [Alphabetical order

corrected.]

(91111) “"Power Augmentation” – " - An increase in the gas turbine shaft output 

and/or the decrease in gas turbine fuel consumption by the addition of energy 

recovered from exhaust heat.

(12) “Predictive Emissions Monitoring System (PEMS)” – All of the equipment 

necessary to monitor process and control device operational parameters (for 

example, control device secondary voltages and electric currents) and other 

information (for example, gas flow rate, O2 or CO2 concentrations), and calculate 

and record the mass emissions rate (for example, lb/hr) on a continuous basis.

[Derived from 40 CFR 51.165(a)(1)(xxxii)]

(101213) "“Public Service Unit” – " - A stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine 

Turbine used to generate electricity for sale or for use in serving the public. 

(14) “Rating” – The continuous megawatt (MW) Rating or mechanical equivalent by a 

manufacturer for gas turbine(s) without Power Augmentation.

(1315) “Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT)” – The lowest emission

limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of 

control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and 

economic feasibility. [USEPA definition 44 FR 53761 (Sept. 17, 1979)] 
1159-4 MDAQMD Rule 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

 (1114)"“Rating” – " - The continuous megawatt (MW) rating or mechanical equivalent 

by a manufacturer for gas turbine(s) without power augmentation. [Alphabetical 

order corrected.]

(1516) “Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)” – Selective Catalytic Reduction A 

noncombustion control technology that destroys NOX by injecting a reducing 

agent (e.g., ammonia) into the flue gas that, in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., 

vanadium, titanium, or zeolite), converts NOX into molecular nitrogen and water.

[Derived from 40 CFR 76.2]

(17) “Shutdown Period” – The period of time during which a unit is taken from an 

operational to a non-operational status by allowing it to cool down from its 

operating temperature to ambient temperature as the fuel supply to the unit is 

completely turned off. [Derived from SJVUAPCD Rule 4703 3.26, added in 

response to public comment]

(18) “Startup Period” – The period of time during which a unit is brought from a 

Shutdown status to its operating temperature and pressure, including the time 

required by the unit’s emission control system to reach full operation. [Derived 

from SJVUAPCD Rule 4703 3.29, added in response to public comment]

(121619) "“Stationary Gas Turbine or Unit” – " - Any gas turbine system that is 

gas and/or liquid fueled with or without power Power 

augmentationAugmentation. This unit is either attached to a foundation at a 

facility or is portable equipment operated at a specific facility for more than 90 

days in any 12-month period. Two or more gas turbines powering one shaft shall 

be treated as one unit. 

(131720) "“Thermal Stabilization Period” – " - The start Startup or shut Shutdown 

time Period necessary to bring the heat recovery steam generator to the proper 

operating temperature, not to exceed two hours.

(1821) “Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)” – Any compound of carbon, excluding 

carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, 

and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical 

reactions and those compounds listed in 40 CFR 51.100(s)(1). [Derived from 

MDAQMD Rule 1162(b)(48)]

(C) Standards

(1) The owner or operator of any affected stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine 

Turbine unit Unit shall not operate such unit under load conditions, excluding the 

thermal Thermal stabilization Stabilization period Period and Startup and 

Shutdown Periods which results in the mMeasured NOx NOX emissions 
MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-5

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

Emissions cConcentration exceeding the emissions limits set forth below: [Added

“Startup and Shutdown Periods” in response to public comment]

(a) For stationary Stationary gas Gas turbines Turbines which are not subject 

to the alternative federal NOXNOx RACT limits of Subsection (C)(1)(b)

and (c), the following federal NOX and Carbon Monoxide (CO) NOx 

RACT limits in Table 1 apply: [Derived from SJVUAPCD Rule 4703, 

§5.1.2 4/25/02] 

Table 1

NOX and CO Compliance Limits

NOX Compliance Limit, 

ppmv at 15% Oxygen Control 

 

Operating 

hours per 

year 

 

Rating 

 

Gas Fuel Liquid Fuel

CO

Compliance 

Limit, ppmv at 

15% Oxygen

SCR + DLN > 877 > 10 MW 5 25 200

DLN > 877 2 – 10 MW 25 65 200

SCR > 877

2 – 10 MW 

(no DLN 

available)

35 65 200

DLN > 877 < 2 MW

42 

[lowered to 

42 to avoid

relaxation

of previous 

SIP limit]

50 250

SCR or 

DLN < 877 > 10 MW 25 42 200

(i) For gas-fired turbines, 42 ppmv NOx 

(ii) For oil-fired turbines, 65 ppmv NOx

(b) For the Southern California Gas Company Turbine Model LM 1500, the 

following alternative federal NOXNOx RACT limits shall apply: 

(i) 90 ppmv NOXNOx when fired with gaseous fuel.

(c) For the Southern California Gas Company Turbine General Electric

Model Frame 3, the following alternative federal NOX RACT limit shall 

apply: 

(i) 225 ppmv NOX when fired with gaseous fuel, achieved through 

good combustion practices.

(d) For the Westend Model PQ 5191, the following alternative federal NOX

RACT limit shall apply: 
1159-6 MDAQMD Rule 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

 (i) 42 ppmv NOX achieved with an SCR when fired with gaseous fuel.

(ce) For the purposes of these emissions limits the following conventions are 

applicable: 

(i) Gas includes natural, digester and landfill gases. 

(ii) Oil includes kerosene, jet fuel, and distillate. The sulfur content of 

the oil shall be less than 0.05%. 

(iii) NOXNOx = emissions of NOXNOx, in ppmv, corrected to 15 

percent oxygen and ISO standard conditions on a dry basis, 

averaged over any consecutive 15 minute period. 

(2) The owner or operator of any affected stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine

Turbine subject to (C)(1)(a) shall submit to the APCO for approval, an Emission

Control Plan (ECP) for the purpose of establishing an exemption status pursuant 

to Section (D) or to establish compliance with provisions of this rule.

(3) The owner or operator of any sStationary gGas tTurbine subject to (C)(1) shall

minimize emissions insofar as technologically feasible during Thermal 

Stabilization Periods. [Section added in response to USEPA rule review 

comments received 7/9/09]

(D) Exemptions

(1) The provisions of Section (C) of this rule shall not apply to the operation of: 

(a) Laboratory units used in research and testing for the advancement of gas 

turbine technology. 

(b) Units operated exclusively for fire fighting and/or flood control. 

(c) Combined-cycle tStationary Gas Turbines operating as an electric utility 

which are subject to Rule 1158.

(2) The provisions of this rule, with the exception of Section (F)(e2), shall not apply 

to the operation of stationary Stationary gas Gas turbines Turbines used under the 

following conditions: 

(a) Emergency standby Standby units Units demonstrated to operate less than 

200 hours per calendar year,.

(b) Portable, turntable, or track mounted turbines whose operation generates 

intermittent, high velocity air flow for live fire sustainability, lethality, 

aerodynamic, cookoff, or remote control operation testing only. [These 

units are not stationary, industrial units and do not meet the applicability]
MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-7

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(b) Units rated less than 4 MW and operating less than 877 hours per calendar 

year. [requirements in §(C)(1)(a) Table 1 now apply] 

(3) Any facility within the federally designated ozone non-attainment area containing 

an affected stationary gas turbine which is classified as exempt or claiming to be 

exempt under this subsection, shall meet the record keeping requirements of 

Section (F)(e) of this rule to establish the exempt classification or claimed 

exemption. [Section not applicable since rule is being amended to apply district 

wide]

(3) The provisions of section (F)(1) and (H) shall not apply to the Southern California 

Gas Company Turbine General Electric Model Frame 3.

(E) Administrative Requirements

(1) Emission Control Plan The Emission Control Plan (ECP) required pursuant to 

section (C)(2) shall, at a minimum, include the following information if such 

information is applicable: 

(a) A list of all stationary Stationary gas Gas turbines Turbines required to be 

controlled pursuant to this rule. 

(b) For each stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine Turbine listed: 

(i) District identification number, and District Permit to Operate 

number,;

(ii) Name of the gas turbine manufacturer,;

(iii) Equipment model number,;

(iv) Manufacturer's rated shaft power output (MW), ); 

(v) Type of liquid fuel and/or type of gaseous fuel,;

(vi) HHV for each fuel,;

(vii) Heat rate ((BTUBtu/KWkW-HRhr), corrected to the HHV) for 

each type of fuel (gas or liquid) for each turbine;

(viii) Monthly fuel consumption for the pervious previous twelve-month 

period (cubic feet for gas; gallons for liquid);

(ix) Monthly hours of operation in the previous twelve-month period.;

(x) The type of NOX NOx emission Emission control Control 

equipmentEquipment, including any auxiliary equipment related to 

the control of emissions, to be applied. ; 

(xi) Documentation showing the current (existing) concentration and 

mass rate of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from the unit.;

(xii) A schedule with specified increments of progress dates for 

construction of emissions Emission control Control 

equipmentEquipment, operational milestones for implementation of 

emissions control and/or installation of monitoring equipment;. and

(xiii) A final compliance date. 
1159-8 MDAQMD Rule 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(F) Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements

(1) The owner or operator of any affected stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine 

Turbine required to install Emissions Control Equipment for compliance with this 

rule shall: 

(a) Install, operate, and maintain in calibration, emissions the following 

monitoring equipment, as approved by the APCO, that continuously 

measures and records the following: 

(i) Continuous measurement and recording of Emissions Control 

System Operating Parameters;, and

(ii) Continuous measurement and recording of Elapsed elapsed time of 

operation; and.

(iii) An Enhanced Emissions Monitoring Device.

(b) notify the APCO, in writing, that the facility has an enhanced emissions 

monitoring device and specify the data gathering and retrieval capacities 

thereof. 

(cb) nNotify the APCO, in writing, before issuance of the Permit To Operate, 

such information which correlates the Emission Control System Operating 

Parameters, and PEMS if present, to the associated measured NOXNOx

emissions output. This information will be used to determine compliance 

with applicable provisions of this rule for non-CEMS-equipped turbines 

and CEMS-equipped units when the CEMS is not operating properly. 

(dc) Provide, on an annual basis, compliance testing data and information 

regarding NOXNOx emissions. The data shall be corrected to ISO 

conditions and at 15 percent oxygen on a dry basis; and the percent 

efficiency (EFF) of each turbine unit.

(2) The owner/operator of any Stationary Gas Turbine shall:

(ea) For each unit and oOn a daily basis, maintain a turbine operating log that 

includes, as a minimum, the following information: 

 (i) the The total hours of operation per day; 

 (ii) the The accumulated hours of operation per calendar month; and 

 (iii) the The type and quantity of fuel used. ; and

 (iv) The nature of operation of the unit (exempt or non-exempt).

(b) The operating log required to be kept pursuant to this rule shall be kept 

current and on site for a minimum of two years; and provided to District or 
MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-9

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

state personnel on request. [Rule retention clarification added pursuant to 

CARB comment]

(G) Notification Requirements for Exempt and Emergency Standby Units 

(1) Any stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine Turbine unit which is exempt or 

claimed to be exempt pursuant to subsection (D)(2) shall: 

(a) Notify the APCO within seven (7) days if the hour-per-year threshold is 

exceeded. 

(i) If the hour-per-year threshold is exceeded, the exemption pursuant 

to subsection (D)(2) shall be permanently withdrawn. 

(ii) If the hour-per-year threshold is exceeded the owner/operator shall, 

within 30 days of the notification, submit an application for a 

Permit to Operate to the District. Such application shall including a 

plan detailing actions and a schedule of progress to meet the 

applicable RACT limits and provisions of this rule within 24 18 

months after the date of the notification; an Emission Control Plan 

conforming to the requirements of Section (E) for the emissions 

control equipment. [The time a unit has to come into compliance 

after losing its exemption by operating in excess of its hour per 

year limit has been lowered to 18 months in response to USEPA 

comment].

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections (F)(2) and (G)(1) above, A public 

Public service Service unit Unit shall not be subject to the hour-per-year threshold

when: 

(a) Such unit is operating during a state of emergency declared by a 

proclamation of the Governor of the State of California; and 

(b) Such unit is located within the specific geographic location identified in the 

state of emergency proclamation. 

(H) Test Methods

(1) Compliance testing shall be subject to the protocols prescribed in the District's 

Compliance Procedural Manual. 

(2) The following test methods shall be used to determine compliance with the 

provisions of this rule. 
1159-10 MDAQMD Rule 1159 

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(a) NOXNOx Emissions emissions shall be determined by EPA Test Method 

20. 

(b) The Higher Heating Value (HHV) and the Lower Heating Value (LHV) 

shall be determined by the appropriate method for the fuel type listed 

below: [Deleted reference to “most current version” of ASTM in response 

to USEPA and CARB comments]

(i) For liquid fuels: 

a. ASTM Test Method D 240-87 (Standard Test Method for 

Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by 

Bomb Calorimeter). 

(ii) For distillate fuel: 

a. ASTM Test Method D 2382-88 (Standard Test Method for 

Heat of Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb 

Calorimeter - High Precision Method); or,

(iii) For gaseous fuels: 

a. ASTM Test Method D 3588-91 (Standard Practice for 

Calculation Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and

Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Gaseous Fuels); or 

b. ASTM Test Method D 1826-88 (Standard test Method for 

Caloric (Heating) Value of Gases in Natural Gas Range by 

Continuous Recording Calorimeter); or 

c. ASTM Test Method D 1945-81 (Standard Method for 

Analysis of Natural Gas by Gas Chromatography). 

(I) Compliance Schedule

(1) The owner/operator of any existing stationary Stationary gas Gas turbine Turbine 

subject to the provisions of Section (C)(1)(a) above shall comply with the 

following increments of progress: 

(2a) An Emissions Control Plan shall be submitted to the District on of before 

April 15, 1995within 90 days of rule adoption. The District shall approve the 

Plan on or before May 31, 1995within 30 days of submission. 

(3b) On and after May 31, 1995, aAny affected turbine shall be in full 

compliance with all applicable provisions of the rule within 12 months of rule 

adoption. 

(4c) Demonstrate final compliance with all applicable standards and 

requirements of the rule within six months of the installation of the NOx NOX

reduction technology.
MDAQMD Rule 1159 1159-11

Stationary Gas Turbines 

D7, 09/24/2009 

(2) The owner/operator of any new sStationary gGas tTurbine subject to the 

provisions of Section (C) shall comply as of the date of adoption of this rule.

[Provision for new turbines added in response to USEPA comments]

[SIP: Submitted as amended mm/dd/yy on mm/dd/yy; Approved 4/9/96, 61 FR 15719, 40 CFR 

52.220(c)(216)(I)(A)(3)]