Rockland, Westchester Gas Station Owners: Apply for This Grant

New York State is inviting lower Hudson Valley gas station owners to apply for grants to install emergency generators. 

The state has set aside $12 million for the installation of permanent emergency generators at downstate retail gas stations to ensure they have back-up power capacity after major storms and emergencies. 

The $12 million Permanent Generator Initiative will make grants available on a competitive basis for strategic gas stations in New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley to offset costs of purchasing and installing a permanent emergency generator. It is estimated the funding will support installation of permanent generators at up to 200 stations. 

This funding will advance efforts under  Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Fuel NY initiative to ensure strategically-located gas stations are operational and able to provide gas to first responders and community residents when power is disrupted. This announcement coincides with the start of the summer hurricane season.

 "During Superstorm Sandy we experienced first-hand the crippling effects that gasoline disruptions have on recovery operations," Cuomo said in his announcement of the competitive grant program. "As hurricane season approaches, this Fuel NY funding will help prevent this scenario from repeating during future emergencies and ensuring our first responders have the resources to help those in need."

Cuomo launched Fuel NY in his 2013 State of the State address to improve access to gasoline during a severe storm or other major weather event. It was developed as a direct response to gas shortages that occurred during Superstorm Sandy, and includes the nation’s strongest back-up power requirements for gas stations in strategic locations. 

The initiative uses funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Under Fuel NY, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority works closely with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to enhance the State’s preparedness and response capabilities for future storms and energy emergencies. 

NYSERDA will administer the Permanent Generator grant initiative. 

To apply for a grant, gas stations should visit http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/PON3256.

Applications for funding will be accepted through September 15, 2016.

In addition to the Permanent Generator Initiative to improve downstate access to gasoline during a severe storm or other weather event, under Governor Cuomo, utility regulations and oversight have been tightened and additional state and federal funding secured to better prepare and react to extreme weather events.

 Con Edison has been directed by New York State to invest nearly $460 million to strengthen the company’s electric, natural gas and steam distribution system.

Under Fuel NY, the State also has a system to deploy portable emergency generators to downstate stations that do not have permanent emergency generators in Rockland and Westchester counties, New York City and Long Island.

The installation of permanent generators through this new $12 million initiative will speed up electrical power availability to operate gas pumps. Further, it will reduce the need for portable generators and the associated cost and actions to secure, deliver and connect those generators in emergency conditions during the recovery period. 

New York has also established the nation’s first Strategic Gasoline Reserve, which currently maintains a 2.5-million-gallon fuel supply on Long Island that can be used if storms disrupt critical fuel deliveries to New York. In addition, approximately 2.5 million gallons of gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel are stored in strategic fuel reserve terminals in Upstate New York to assist first responders during fuel or energy supply emergencies.