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Bill Would Require Backup Power at Stations

Stern proposes bill for Suffolk stations to have 'transfer switch' for long-term problems.

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.”

K. November 9, 2012 at 07:48 pm
This is the "Closing The Barn Door" Bill.
Larry November 9, 2012 at 07:54 pm
Another knee-jerk reaction from our politician who don't think before they act. The problem we are experiencing right now has nothing to do with power and everything to do with fuel deliveries.
Wake up Stern. Take a look at all the stations who have power but no gas to pump.
BlackRock November 9, 2012 at 07:54 pm
The barn door is going to be opened again in the future so why not? Gotta start somewhere making changes to the way things are for the next emergency.
Dave M. November 9, 2012 at 08:00 pm
Who's going to pay for all those generators? Are they going to be free? NO. You the consumer will pay, so be careful of what you wish for.
Terry November 9, 2012 at 08:12 pm
We are being gouged for gas by these renegade stations anyhoo. $4.29 at private Gulf but $3.73 at HESS. Put the generators in, it is the only sane ting to do
Tom November 9, 2012 at 08:27 pm
Honestly not a bad idea, but, they should also propose a bill requiring generator backup at cell towers, and not simply battery backup. Bottom line is that cell towers, and gasoline stations, are infrastructure. Apparently, we don't survive well without them, and therefore they should be hardened against their loss or inoperability. Besides, for many who have cut the cord and no longer have hardwired home telephone service, cell phones are their only means of communication.
123 November 9, 2012 at 09:25 pm
Another stupid politician. He wont be getting my vote.
123 November 9, 2012 at 09:33 pm
Big suprise another democrat.
FYI November 9, 2012 at 10:08 pm
One of the biggest problems is getting fuel to the gas stations. The Inwood distribution center, one of only 2 major fueling sites for the tanker trucks suffered heavy damage from flood waters. Inwood may still not be up and running. That leaves only Holtsville as the primary distribution point for all tankers to fill up. They can pump 24 hours a day filling up the tanker trucks but cannot deliver the volume needed for the number of trucks. Basically, the gas tankers are waiting on long lines to fill up their rigs. Instead of delivering 3 or 4 loads per shift, they can only get filled up two times at most because of the lines. Generators at every gas station would have had a negligible effect but don't worry. The ever expanding government and its regulations will pass a bill requiring generators at all gas stations anyway.
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"?
joshua November 9, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Terry, Gulf by me in Commack is $3.79, same as Hess. What Gulf station is $4.29? In response to generators, I think it should be up to the owner on whether or not they have one. Just my opinion.
joe insider November 9, 2012 at 11:48 pm
The reality is that most gas stations are owned by a small operator who makes very little. The margin on gasoline is very narrow. With increasing regulations, many stations are simply closing. In my community we used to have a gas station every mile or so on our commercial corridor. Now we have only a few left. It makes sense for stations to have back up electric supplies but, honestly, can you really ask the small businessman to pony up even more than the costs he already incurs just keeping the place open? If the county wants them to have generators then the county should pay for them. Otherwise, more and more stations will close and then even a generator won't do us any good.
HeyJoe November 10, 2012 at 05:50 am
i saw a 4.29 Shell on portion rd today
Tre November 10, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Most private stations are 4.29. The two on Commack rd one was 4.29 and the other also. The deer park side yet Hess was 3.79. Hess is usually not that much less but they have been the strength during this difficult time and people should not forget that. They have had had almost daily at all Hess stations and their prices have remained.
Hikerr November 10, 2012 at 12:48 pm
A generator will cost about $2,500, then another $600.00 for the transfer switch plus the cost of an electrician to hook it up. We're not talking a lot of money here.
Bryan Downey November 10, 2012 at 02:18 pm
Put the electric cables underground and catch up to the rest of the modernized world. Europe lines were buried in 1979. That happens to be the last date of a recorded power outage due to storms. Or leave them as is and stop complaining, pointing fingers and panicking everytime the wind blows more than 25mph.
jks November 10, 2012 at 02:48 pm
Generators for gas station is a good idea, they don't cost that much, give the stations with generators a tax break for having them.. Also, installing electric wires underground is a good idea.
jks November 10, 2012 at 02:48 pm
Generators for gas station is a good idea, they don't cost that much, give the stations with generators a tax break for having them.. Also, installing electric wires underground is a good idea.
Ross MacKae November 10, 2012 at 02:52 pm
I have to add that the small operator argument really doesn't excuse the price gouging argument. The addition of 60 cents or more a gallon is greed! Secondly, the additional cost of a generator is not going to put the station out of business, on the contrary, it might save the business. Small businesses can't stand to be closed for two or more weeks.
Ross MacKae November 10, 2012 at 02:56 pm
Since when has the state of New York ever had a problem in coming up with new ways to tax its citizens.
Mels Ditties November 10, 2012 at 03:35 pm
If the stations that lost power did have generators, then they would have pumped the gas they had and been in the same boat as all the other stations who did have power, but no gas....Almost all of our stations have had power for over a week, but no gas to pump...
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,..
dkd November 10, 2012 at 03:54 pm
How about $4.49 a gal for reg and $4.99 premium . Yup , posted price @ Gulf rt 111 and Suffolk ave BRENTWOOD ! and they waited on line for it 2 days ago . Across the street , Hess closed, no fuel , but had sold reg for $4.19. Some do take advantage. Maybe they can afford the generator with those prices
Frank Raffaele November 10, 2012 at 05:02 pm
You'd better include a socket for the cash register also. Basic math skills are severely lacking today. Either that or legislate that they have to keep an abacus handy too.
Laura November 10, 2012 at 06:37 pm
Why am I surprised. We are in a recession. Hurricane Sandy hit us. We had a Nor'easter. Gas station are closed...No Electric. Now you want a new law! The result will be more gas stationds closed. Those who comply will have no choice to raise the price of gas higher. You make s nice salary. It will hurt us in the end. We want electric for everyone. You think another law will solve problem. Lets deal with the current problem FIRSt!
Jonathan Baker November 10, 2012 at 06:40 pm
Here is a thought. Why not have all gas stations in NYS have emergency generators and why not have the consumer pay for the convenience of obtaining gasoline when there is a wide-spread power outage?
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.
Jonathan Baker November 10, 2012 at 07:19 pm
Perhaps applying a mileage based “road use” tax on electric vehicles might be a way to have electric cars contribute to the upkeep of the roads. The tax could be charged at the time of vehicle inspection each year, applied to miles driven. Extend that thought and apply that tax on all vehicles at the time of vehicle inspection, and get rid of the gasoline tax at the pump, so that we don't have multiple taxing schemes. It also might be the way to increase the tax on heavy trucks that multiply the hard use imposed on our roads.
Ross MacKae November 10, 2012 at 07:39 pm
Keeping on point of the article. Political knee jerking adding additional legislation on a system that has so many conflicting laws that the legal experts can't agree on what is legal any more is maintaining the status-quo. If government should get involved is more the question. Hess Oil was prepared. They have been running their trucks and pumping from their stations without gouging prices. The stations that did not invest in their own stations and sources are not selling their product. Attrition will solve this argument without government help. Shell Oil, Mobil, Exxon, etc all have more money than God and can afford to maintain their product delivery without the tax payer footing the bill. If Hess maintains its price and continues to sell product the others will not make any money and customers will go where the product is available. Problem solved. As for finding blame to place on government, business, or individuals for the Sandy hurricane or the Nor'Easter is absurd. It is not anyones fault the weather turned bad. Anyone who doesn't prepare for the weather will pay the price. Insurance companies might be the criminals here. but that is a different article.
Ross MacKae November 10, 2012 at 07:58 pm
More cudos for Hess. Sold out every day! I watch their HessExpress.com/fuel every day to determine when to go fuel so I don't waste gas and time. Hess has been running 10,000 gals a day min to every station I can see and sells out. If the shell you referenced that is gouging, would lower their price to Hess' then it might sell more gas. And if they don't ... people do remember the price gougers! I haven't forgotten Ma Bell!
Ben Vitale November 10, 2012 at 09:00 pm
Please! Enough BS is enough! I have seen with my own eyes that a Home Depot Generator will indeed power a few pumps. If you choose not to get a generator that is fine; just sell your gas somewhere else. You have got to be a fool to continue to alienate your customers! We are all at the end of our ropes! Whatever happened to "The customer is always right?" Keep this in mind! Hess Gas stations provided us with Gas in our time of need; I will remember that! I will also remember to give them my business. What is it that you do not understand about the fact that your customers are going to buy Gas elsewhere. If I were you I would get a generator and put up a big sign, informing your customers that you really care about them!
HEY! November 10, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Agree! More political grandstanding at the time of crisis. This guy didn't answer my e-mail when I needed him!
HEY! November 10, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Dump Steve Stern! Insulting for him to try to capitalize on this tragedy!

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