Eastside fuel crisis during windstorm avoidable, Goodman says

February 6, 2007

OLYMPIA – Among the many wakeup calls December’s windstorm provided was to keep a well-stocked emergency kit. Those with batteries, flashlights, radios and firewood fared better than those who were less prepared.

Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland) found the shortage of one item especially alarming--gasoline.

“There was a real sense of fear out there that if you went looking for gas, you’d run out before ever finding any,” Goodman said. In his district, which contains suburban and rural portions of King County, open stations with gas were practically nonexistent and the closest fuel supply was up in Snohomish County.

“Gas was not available, there was uncertainty over how long the power would be out and lines at the few open stations backed out into busy streets. People were driving by huge stores of fuel that were inaccessible without electricity.”

Goodman’s proposal requires that larger gas stations be capable of running off of an alternative generator during power outages and his bill allows a portion of the station’s costs to be taken as a tax credit.

“It’s not realistic and it’s unsafe to ask people to store emergency supplies of gasoline,” Goodman said. “Maintaining mobility during a disaster is critical and we need our commercial fueling stations to fill that need.”

Details of the Consumer Emergency Motor Fuel Act (HB 2053):

- Stations must be capable of operating during an outage by Dec 1, 2008

- A portion of the equipment costs and installation can be taken as a tax credit

- Smaller stations with a monthly average of 125,000 gallons are exempt

- Each station shall keep a log testing the system is functional

Goodman serves on the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee where his bill will receive a public hearing next week.

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Staff contact - Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218

HB 2053: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=2053&year=2007

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