By Sam Gilkey
For The News-Gazette

The developing tropical wave this weekend may give rise to weather interest or concern, but credit the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons in Florida with revealing there was an ample supply of gasoline at the state’s retail stations.

There also was the realization that many stations could not dispense the fuel because they did not have an emergency generator to operate the pumps.

The Florida Legislature in 2006 passed House Bill 7121 that set out the requirements for both distributors and retailers to provide a constant flow of gasoline to motorists.

The law became effective in July 2007 and required existing stations near interstate highways or state- or federally-designated evacuation routes be pre-wired with a transfer switch and to be able to operate all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, life-safety systems and debit and credit card equipment using an alternate generated power source.

Also mandated were that the requirements apply to new or renovated retail outlets.

The Bureau of Petroleum Inspection is a part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Bureau Chief Matthew D. Curran said his department is responsible for conducting inspections at more than 9,100 retail facilities open in Florida.

These inspections include verification of backup electricity generation equipment and wiring, calibrating tests, proper installations, maintenance of measuring devices, price gouging investigations and testing for water and debris in tanks. The field staff has to respond to complaints within 24-48 hours.

Curran said there are about 1,175 stations in Florida that are pre-wired for alternate power. These stations also have a transfer switch allowing them to isolate the alternate power from the main power source. His office lists 27 stations in Osceola County that could be in operation should there be a power outage.

The list includes two stations in ChampionsGate, one in Yeehaw Junction, one in Celebration, four in St. Cloud and 19 in Kissimmee.

However, it should be noted that even though these locations have the ability to pump gas, some stations may not be able to reopen because of other problems encountered during a storm.

The best bet for motorists may be to ask their favorite stores if they have an emergency power source and plan on being open after a storm. An even better plan is to be sure you have a full tank of gas in your vehicles and some extra filled gas containers at home before any bad weather arrives. You also should have cash on hand with which to purchase gasoline in case telephone service is knocked out at a service station and you cannot use a credit or debit card.

Stations wired for generators

The Florida Bureau of Petroleum Inspection lists the following gasoline stations in Osceola County as having the necessary switches and wiring to operate on alternate power:
• 7-Eleven: 7893 W. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee; 5880 W. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee; 51 W. Vine St., Kissimmee; 2975 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee; 4910 E. U.S. Highway 192, St. Cloud; 5101 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee; and 8201 ChampionsGate Blvd.
• Am/Pm – BP: 10 S. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee; and 4485 13th St., St. Cloud.
• BP Connect, 8200 ChampionsGate Blvd.
• Bronson Citgo, 2300 E. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee.
• Hess Express: 2294 E. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee, 4500 E. U.S. Highway 192, St. Cloud; 3270 Vineland Road, Kissimmee; and 3200 S. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee.
• Mobil On The Run, 6070 W. U.S. Highway 192, Celebration.
• Murphy USA, 1461 E. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.
• Osceola Citgo, 3090 Michigan Ave., Kissimmee.
• Pilot, 3050 State Road 60, Yeehaw Junction.
• Race Trac: 901 E. Vine St., Kissimmee; 1470 E. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; 4554 W. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee; 5985 W. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee; and 1205 S. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee.
• Sam's Club, 4763 W. U.S. Highway 192, Kissimmee.
• Store Eleven, 2321 13th St., St. Cloud.
• Vine Street Chevron, 3040 W. Vine St., Kissimmee.