DEP Secretary Promotes Hurricane Preparedness

--State working with gas station retailers to ensure distribution capabilities required by new legislation--

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole today announced additional proactive measures to help inform more than 250 gas station owners of their need to install generators by June 1, 2007 along both state and federal evacuation routes.

“By using pre-determined evacuation routes as a basis, Florida is ensuring generator capability at gas stations for emergency response,” said DEP Secretary Michael Sole. “It is critical that not just our citizens, but our emergency responders such as law enforcement officers, hospital workers, electricity crews and others have access to fuel to assist devastated communities.”

“As the June 1 compliance deadline and the official start of hurricane season both quickly approach, in a matter of days, we need all affected station operators who have yet to secure generators to complete installation,” said DEP Secretary Sole. “We want to be a resource for that goal and I applaud the stations, nearly half of them, that have already complied.”

By June 1, 2007, certain motor fuel retail outlets located within one-half mile to an interstate highway or state or federally designated evacuation route must be prewired with an appropriate transfer switch and be capable of operating all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life-safety systems, and payment-acceptance equipment using an alternate generated power source. Of the more than 7,500 gas stations in Florida, 254 stations met the requirements that were determined based on their geographic location, population size and number of fuel dispensers.

To ensure availability along evacuation routes, House Bill 7121 passed in 2006 required that certain motor fuel retail facilities have access to generators to continue operations despite an interruption in electrical service. The use of generators ensures that motor fuel can be dispensed and important equipment can continue to operate regardless of the availability of electricity from the utility company.

During the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Florida’s retail motor fuel stations faced a challenge dispensing gasoline due to the lack of electrical power. While there was an ample supply of fuel at Florida’s retail outlets and ports, many did not have an emergency generator to operate the fuel pumps and dispensing equipment.

Compliance and enforcement of the law will be coordinated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

An interim status of the progress of installing generators at the motor fuel retail outlets, terminal facilities, and wholesalers was submitted by DEP to the Florida Legislature on March 1, 2007. In order to achieve full compliance by all 254 stations, the DEP has sent a reminder letter and detailed fact sheet to operators about the impending deadline.

To view additional information on the affected stations by county, the requirements of House Bill 7121 or the interim implementation status report, visit www.dep.state.fl.us.

This article originally published on May 17, 2007.