Lowey Announces $5.1 Million Federal Grant to Help New York Gas Stations Stay Open When Power Is Out

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) announced a $5.1 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to New York that will help the state’s gas stations located near highway exits and along evacuation routes remain open and operating during power outages caused by disasters like Superstorm Sandy.

“Superstorm Sandy devastated our community, causing power outages that led to chronic gas shortages, which hampered response efforts and, in some cases, kept families apart,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “By helping our state’s gas stations keep pumping gas even when the power is out, this much-needed federal investment will ensure our region is better prepared for future disasters.”

The grant will support a state project aimed at providing financial assistance to gas station owners and operators to remain in compliance with the New York State law, which requires all gas stations within a half mile of a highway exit and/or hurricane evacuation route to have a transfer switch installed to deploy and install a generator within 24 hours of losing power during a fuel supply or energy emergency. Also under state law, gas stations within these designated counties must have a transfer switch installed to deploy and install a generator within 48 hours of losing power during a fuel supply or energy emergency at these additional stations.