To Prevent Shortages After Disasters
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed new legislation to protect New Yorkers from gas shortages during natural disasters.
This legislation, if enacted, would create the strongest back-up power law in the nation for critical gas stations, preventing long lines and station closures in the event of power outages.
“New York State must learn the lessons from Superstorm Sandy so that we are better prepared for the future,” Cuomo said. “This plan will prevent the long lines, delays and frustrations caused by gas stations being forced to close when they lose power.”
The proposed legislation builds on the initial recommendations from the NYS Ready Commission empan- eled late last year and was developed with input from local government officials and private-sector service station owners. It will be submitted to the legislature in the 30-day budget amendments.
Under the Governor’s proposal:
– All gas stations within a halfmile of highway exits and hurricane evacuation routes will be required to have a transfer switch installed by Mar. 1, 2014, and to deploy and install a generator within 24 hours of losing power during a fuel supply or energy emergency. A transfer switch means a station is pre-wired to hook-
