ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve at six key locations in upstate New York to help ensure that gasoline and diesel fuels are available to responders in the event of an emergency, including severe storms.
The state positioned these reserve terminals to provide rapid service to all areas of upstate New York in the event of a declared emergency. The six key reserve terminals that will provide service to all of upstate New York are located in Rensselaer, Brewerton, Rochester, Marcy, Vestal and Buffalo.
The strategic fuel reserve will house approximately 2.5 million gallons of gasoline and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, and it will supply first responders during a declared emergency in the event that their own fuel supplies are disrupted.
Establishing an upstate fuel reserve is a key component of Fuel NY, the governor's statewide fuel infrastructure protection initiative developed in direct response to disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy.
"The strategic Upstate fuel reserve will enable emergency responders to continue their vitally important jobs, even in the event of a prolonged disaster, and addresses vulnerabilities discovered in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy," Cuomo said. "This addition to New York's fuel infrastructure plan makes it the strongest of any state in the nation, and is one more way that we are building back better."
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority administers the Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve Program with $10 million in funding provided by the New York Power Authority. The state of New York owns the fuel, and Buckeye Terminals LLC manages the reserves.
Suppliers will be able to pre-register with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to facilitate distribution of fuel upon declaration of an emergency and release of the strategic fuel reserve in their region.
Fuel NY is the nation's strongest program for meeting the backup electricity requirements of gas stations to be better prepared for a declared emergency. Today, more than half of all gas stations in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and Rockland Counties are required to have backup power in the event of an emergency. Additionally, Fuel NY has established the first-in-the-nation State Strategic Gasoline Reserve on Long Island.
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