BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 893 by Rep. Ligi, which requires certain newly constructed or completely rebuilt gas stations to be equipped with mechanisms to enable substitute energy sources in times of disaster.

HB 893 by Rep. Ligi mandates new gas stations be equipped with the capability of being powered by an alternate energy source for times of electric outage caused by natural or manmade disasters, so fuel will be more readily available in times of emergency.   

Governor Jindal said, “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. 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.”

Mark Cooper, Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), says, "One of the challenges residents face after a storm is the loss of electricity. Because this law requires gas stations to having an alternate power source during a storm, it offers Louisiana residents necessary resources, such as gasoline, in the event of an evacuation or re-entry into the parish where they live if that area has been affected by a storm." 

Businesses impacted by this new law are those that will be issued a certificate of occupancy on or after October 1, 2009. The bill requires each retail outlet to keep written proof attesting to the periodic testing of ensured operational capability of the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

The provisions of HB 893 apply to newly constructed or completely rebuilt motor fuel retail outlets in the areas of the state located within the boundaries of Allen, Beauregard, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tangipahoa,  Washington and West Feliciana and all parishes located south of these areas.

This law goes into effect immediately.