[Sqg-program] FW: DEP SECRETARY PROMOTES HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

[Perrigan, Glen]

FYI

 

Glen Perrigan

FDEP, Hazardous Waste Management Section

2600 Blair Stone Road  MS-4555

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

850-245-8749 Fax:  850-412-0528

E-mail: glen.perrigan at dep.state.fl.us <mailto:glen.perrigan at dep.state.fl.us> 

Website:   www.dep.state.fl.us/waste <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste> 

 

 

  _____  

From: Depnews 
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 2:07 PM
Subject: DEP SECRETARY PROMOTES HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2007 

CONTACT: Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112

                                                  (850)519-2898

 

DEP SECRETARY PROMOTES HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 

--State working with gas station retailers to ensure distribution
capabilities 

required by new legislation--

 

TALLAHASSEE - 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 <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/> . 

 

 

-30-

 

 

 

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