Gov. Bobby Jindal said that all gas stations were going to have generators so they could pump gas when the power is down. How many really have them?

Under a law signed by Jindal in July 2009, certain gas stations must install wiring and transfer switches to allow for alternate power if the primary source goes down. But they don’t have to install generators.

The law, R.S. 30:2195.12, applies in Beauregard, Allen, Evangeline, St. Landry, Pointe Coupee, West and East Feliciana, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes and all parishes to the south of them.

“A newly constructed or completely rebuilt motor fuel retail outlet for which a certificate of occupancy is issued on or after October 1, 2009, shall be prewired with an appropriate transfer switch, and capable of operating all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life safety systems, and payment-acceptance equipment using an alternate generated power source,” the law reads.

According to the statute, building inspectors must ensure that fuel stations comply with the requirements before issuing occupancy certificates.

Additionally, the law says fuel station owners must maintain “a written statement attesting to the periodic testing of ensured operational capability of the equipment.” Owners must provide the record to state and parish emergency preparedness officials on request.

The law doesn’t apply to car dealers, motor fleet operators or people who sell fuel only for fleet vehicles.

“Due to power outages caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, we all were witnesses to the long lines at gas stations that slowed and hampered our recovery efforts,” Jindal said in a news release issued to mark the signing of the measure.

“With this new law, now many stations will be equipped to operate in times of distress making our state better prepared to deal with challenges of hurricanes and other catastrophes.”

Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall Sept. 1, 2008, at Cocodrie, and Ike, which came ashore at Galveston, Texas, on Sept. 13, knocked out power for about 1.5 million Entergy customers in Louisiana, according to a Times-Picayune report filed two days after the second storm hit.

“Hurricane Gustav was the most destructive storm in terms of distribution transformers and circuit miles and second most destructive storm in terms of customer outages in the 95-year history of Entergy’s four-state utility system,” reads a news release the utility issued on Sept. 19, 2008.

“Hurricane Ike generally ranks third or fourth most destructive across a range of measures.”

Online: www.legis.la.gov.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(American Press Archives)