Before we forget the ravages of Hurricane Ike (not that Texans are likely to do so soon), there is a lesson for state governments that apparently still needs to be learned. Simply put: when electricity fails after a natural disaster all filling stations should be required to have a standby generator. Gas pumps rely on electricity, just like everything else, and when it goes out and gas stations have to stay closed people can't get back to driving. Ironically, they can't even buy gas from the perfectly well-stocked stations to use in their own home or business generators.
This thought was stimulated last week from front page photos of drivers lined up at one of the few gas stations in Houston that went back to serving customers as soon as the winds died down. All stations need to be so prepared.
In Florida after the 2005 hurricanes, Governor Jeb Bush and the state legislature enacted a law that should greatly improve preparedness response in that state after the next disaster. Following the 2006 law, "all newly constructed and substantially renovated motor fuel retail outlets" were required to be "pre-wired for alternative generated power". As of 2007 many other pre-existing motor fuel outlets were to have generators, too.
It makes so much sense, but it is an example of one area where regulation is needed--and yet often neglected. You don't think about it until the crisis arises. Then, when the crisis is over, one tends to forget what a problem it was finding gas for a few days. If I were a governor almost anywhere I would insist that my state enact such a law in the next legislative session.
