FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Several days before a new Florida law will take effect requiring large gas stations near storm-evacuation routes and interstates be prewired for backup power generators, many South Florida fuel retailers are scrambling to comply, while others remain confused about the mandates, reported the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The Florida Department of Environment Protection (DEP) is sending inspectors to 1,584 stations in Florida to ensure that they are in compliance, Sarah Williams, a DEP spokesperson, told the newspaper. "We have 145 [image-nocss] inspectors in all 67 counties going to 1,584 stations across the state this week," she said.
Stations within a half-mile of an interstate, turnpike or designated evacuation route in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties must install a prewired electrical system with a switch to allow the use of an emergency generator during major disasters, said the report.
The Florida Legislature passed the law last year after the devastating hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 left many stations with fuel, but no power to pump it.
In a statement, DEP Secretary Michael Sole said, It is critical that emergency responders such as police officers, fire fighters, electricity crews, hospital workers and others have access to fuel to assist devastated communities.
In South Florida, all stations with 16 fueling positions must be wired so generators can power the pumps, cash registers and critical equipment during outages. The legislation requires only that stations be prewired for a generator, but does not mandate that all operations have a generator on site. Only those station owners with 10 or more stations in a single county are required to have portable generators, in addition to the prewiring mandate.
Many station owners are still rushing to meet the June 1 deadline set by the new law, the report said. State officials are also still compiling lists of those stations that meet the prewiring requirements, and they are expecting to be done by next week.
Anticipating new demands on his business because of the law, Hiram Frank, owner of Personalized Power Systems of Boca Ratonone of the largest generator dealers in South Floridatold the paper that he spent about $200,000 on materials to provide the prewired systems to gas station owners. And even though he sent mailers to 1,200 stations in South Florida in November, not a single one responded to his advertising, he said. But he said business has picked up a little this month.
Installing the switch costs about $1,500, but stations owners must get a permit from their local building departments before proceeding with work. Processing such permits take between 30 to 60 days, he said. "I'm ready to provide a service and the building department is ready," Frank said, noting he has received a few requests. "The only people not ready are the industry [gas stations]."
The measure also mandates that all new construction or remodeling projects at gas stations as of July 2006 include the installation of a transfer switch to use a generator. Station owners must also keep a copy of the installation documentation on site and a written statement showing the equipment has been periodically tested to ensure that it works.
Owners who don't comply with the law could be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and a $500 fine, the report said.
In December, state officials sent letters to all stations to make owners aware of the mandate and its deadline, Williams said. Recently, the state issued a report noting that many stations and managers were not ready and could potentially contribute to long gasoline lines, frustration and chaos among consumers, as happened after Hurricane Wilma and tropical storm Ernesto.
Despite state efforts, including a recent letter sent by Governor Charlie Crist to station owners, many appear to remain confused by the requirements, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
"It is my pleasure to comply, but I need to know what the requirements are," said Carlo Alloco, owner of Cella Oil in Pembroke Pines. Alloco said his station is two miles away from a highway, yet an inspector visited his business and advised him about the deadline. "There's no way that I can meet the requirements before June 1."
Click here to view the requirements fact sheet.
Click here to view the list of affected stations.
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