House moves Goodman’s emergency gas station proposal

March 10, 2007

OLYMPIA – Peace of mind for consumers looking to fuel their generators and vehicles after an emergency took one step closer to reality late Friday night. The state House voted Rep. Roger Goodman’s (D-Kirkland) proposal to the Senate, the last stop before the governor can sign the measure into law.

“People see the need for stations to be providing fuel in an emergency, especially when people are without electricity,” Goodman said.

“Families can – and should – keep an emergency supply of food and water, but it’s unsafe and unrealistic to ask them to keep gasoline stored at their homes.”

As the bill (HB 2053) went through House committees and onto the House floor, it was amended to provide an incentive program for any gas station owner to receive up to a $50,000 tax credit to defray the cost of installing emergency power and a generator.

“We believe the tax incentive is generous enough to attract gas station owners who want to install emergency power capability. Now I will want to work with the station owners to help ensure a reasonable geographic distribution of power-ready gas stations so as many consumers as possible will have access to fuel in an emergency.”

The legislation will be known as the Consumer Emergency Motor Fuel Act and now goes on to the Senate for consideration.

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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

To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or 360.786.7208.