OLR Report 2012-R-0539 summarizes the legislative proposals in Connecticut and other states to require gas stations to have electric generators and (2) how the recent Connecticut legislation regarding microgrids and critical facilities relates to this issue.
A Connecticut legislator raised the idea of requiring generators at gas stations in 2011, but did not propose a bill.
Florida and Louisiana appear to be the only states that require motor fuel facilities, including certain gas stations, to be able to switch to an alternative energy source during a power outage. They do not actually require the stations to have generators on-site.
In New Jersey, one pending bill would require that generators be installed at gas stations, while another would impose requirements similar to the Florida and Louisiana laws. In New York, a bill similar to these laws has been recently proposed; it would also provide financial incentives for stations that voluntarily install generators. A 2011 California bill would have provided financial incentives for stations that installed generators, but it was not adopted.
PA 12-148 establishes a program to fund micro-grids to support onsite electricity generation for critical facilities. Gas stations are not specifically included in the list of critical facilities, but might qualify. The program does not fund generators themselves, but could be used to pay for engineering and related costs in connection with them.
For more information, read the full report.
