It's unavoidable. Weather interrupts us and when it knocks out electrical power, that's a big problem for gas stations and motorists. When hundreds of Connecticut gasoline stations had to close because of a power outage relating to October’s snow storm, legislators wanted to avoid the problem again by making all gasoline retailers have generators.

But, many gasoline station owners oppose such a mandate and explained why: “We aren't talking about an $800 generator to run a service station,” said Mike Fox with the Gasoline Retailers Association. “You're talking between $30,000 and $35,000 and $1,500 and $2,500 a year to maintain it. It just doesn't make economic sense to do it.”

And, frankly, retailers in Connecticut, California, Florida and many other coastal states especially, are all fighting the same battle.
In Florida, paricularly during hurricane sesason's severe storms and flooding, one difficulty consumers face is the potential likelihood that the local gas station has no power and therefore they cannot pump gas. It's a significant problem, and it's manifested itself in every part of the state. While legislators have tried to make it easier to finance generators, the effort remains a voluntary one.

With most retailers barely making any profit on the price of gasoline, adding such an expense would be crippling.
Fox said that it's one thing in Florida, "where you have 14 to 25 storms per year knocking out power. Here, what are we having? Three or four? So this is over-reaching again, not addressing the real problem.”

Fox pointed out that in Connecticut a drop in tree trimming by the utility companies contributed to the power outage, which their committee discussed. The Connecticut governor’s office has asked that recommendations on this issue be turned in by Jan. 1.

Obviously, storms interrupt service and retailers need generators. But, mandates are not the way to go. Let cooler heads prevail.

States can help gasoline retailers, and, more importantly, consumers in need of gasoline during critical storm situations. They can offer tax incentives to retailers who need to purchase generators that help amortize or significantly reduce the overall cost that is essental for conducting business when gasoline may be urgently needed.

What do you think? Should generators be mandated? Should states assist or should the c-store owners and operators be totally on the hook for the generators? Remember, if they're forced to eat exorbitant expenses, that can push a lot of gas stations out of business and when competition decreases, you know what happens next...