Proposal would require generators at gas stations

[The Straight Story]

Proposal would require generators at gas stations
Aim is to get fuel flowing after storms
Friday, September 05, 2008
By Ed Anderson

BATON ROUGE -- The state should consider a law to require convenience stores and gas stations across the state to have backup generators so pumps can be operated during power outages caused by storms and hurricanes, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain said Thursday.

"It is a very good discussion to have," Strain said.

Former Rep. Henry "Tank" Powell, R-Pontchatoula, filed a bill in 2006 to require the backup generators, but the bill died in the House Commerce Committee. The bill was an attempt to address the problems of idled gas pumps at the stores after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Florida adopted a mandatory generator law for convenience stores after Hurricane Andrew.

Strain said he will meet with the governor's office, oil companies and the convenience store industry to work out a proposal all can live with.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base//news-6/122059218598330.xml&coll=1