Politics & Government
Carlucci Proposes Bill Requiring Generators For Gas Stations
The state senator thinks it could help with long lines after storms in the future
After nearly a week of long lines at gas stations, State Sen. David Carlucci is getting ready to introduce legislation that will require gas stations to have electric generators on site so they can continue to run after storms even if the power is knocked out.
“In this day and age we need to work our way off of gas, but obviously, 99 percent of people depend on gas for their everyday lives,” Carlucci said Sunday. “So we’ve got to meet the needs of today and make sure that we can stop these problems from happening in the future.”
Carlucci added that in addition to making owners have generators, the bill would give owners incentives and tax credits for doing so, with even further reductions for owners who find renewable sources of energy to power those generators. The legislation calls for a tax credit of 50 percent for the purchase and installation not to exceed $2,500.
Carlucci said after seeing long lines throughout Rockland after the storm, he started researching to see how other states that get hit by hurricanes and heavy storms deal with potential gas station power outages and found out New York state is behind in such dealings. Carlucci’s proposed bill is based on a similar one from Florida that passed in 2007.
The legislation applies to self-serve and full-serve gas stations either on their own grounds or located on the grounds of another business.
According to a press release sent out, the bill would require:
- Each terminal facility and wholesaler while sells gas to be able to operate for up to 72 hours using an electric generator and to have generator source power available no later than 24 hours after a major disaster.
- Each newly constructed or heavily renovated gas station given a certification of occupancy listed on or after July 1, 2013 to be able to operate all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life safety systems and payment acceptance equipment using an alternative generated power source.
- Each gas station located within a half mile of an interstate highway or or state/federally designated evacuation route to operate all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life safety systems and payment acceptance equipment using an alternative generated power source.
- Each gas station to have a professional electrical contractor install a transfer switch and keep a copy of the documentation of the installation at its site or corporate headquarters, as well as keep a written statement stating that they have done testing and have ensured that the equipment is working.
