Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern has introduced a bill that would require service stations to have alternative power sources so they can pump fuel in extended emergencies.
The Huntington Democrat said stations in Suffolk County would have to be equipped with “transfer switches” to enable them to pump fuel.
As Long Island began to recover from Hurricane Sandy, which struck on Oct.29, long gas lines have formed, the result of both a shortfall in delivery but also the inability of many stations to pump fuel without power.
“What was very frustrating was that there were numerous stations that had plenty of fuel but didn’t have the ability to pump,” he said. “If stations had the ability then a very difficult situation would have been better.”
But Michael Watt, executive director of the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, said, "Our only opposition to this is that it’s an unfunded mandate for gas stations that are already up against it economically. We’re constantly battling fee increases from all kinds of registrations and inspections.
"It’s not a matter of just going to a Lowes and buying a generator. You have to buy, maintain, insure and inevitably pay a registration or inspection fee."
Station owners could benefit from a proposed sales tax exemption for the requirement. Steve Rossetti, secretary of the IDA board, said, “The function of the IDA is to provide assistance to our local businesses. This assistance will help ensure that our local service stations are an essential part of our local disaster preparedness and emergency response effort.”
The bill is cosponsored by Dr. William Spencer, D-Huntington, William J. Lindsay, the legislature’s presiding officer, and Lou D’Amaro, D-Huntington Station.
Stern said, “Service stations are some of our most important local businesses. What we have seen here and across the country is that stations have a very important public role, not just a convenience. Particularly today, with longterm outages, the most vulnerable and the first responders need access to fuel.”
A public hearing on the bill is set for Nov. 20.
“I do not understand even from a business perspective,” why stations aren’t already equipped, Stern said. “I don’t understand why it wouldn’t be standard.”
Wake up Stern. Take a look at all the stations who have power but no gas to pump.
Two additional thoughts. When we have increased numbers of all electric vehicles on the road, what about recharging without electricity? Also, required tax revenue paid by consumers purchasing fuel is avoided by those who drive electric cars. So who is going to make up for the lost "road use taxes"?
Ironic the new odd/even rule is now in effect and the stations in my town have virtually no lines....One of my sons in and out of station in about 15 minutes..the other absolutely no line..pulled right up to the pumps... As for the price differences, I'm not sure about this but doesn't the wholesale price differ by quantity purchased?....Which would mean that HESS who is HUGE would be paying less than "joe's gas" who doesn't have the same buying power,..
A search of the Internet shows that NYS drivers consume 133,723,000 gallons of gasoline. There are about 5000 gas stations in NYS. If a transfer switch installation costs $600 and a 16-19kW generator $4000, $23M would be needed to install the capability to operate in a power blackout for those 5000 stations. An additional tax of 17 cents per gallon imposed for one year, or .17 cents a gallon for ten years, would cover the cost. I think that would be fair to all of us.