Proposed NYC Bill Would Require Food & Gas Sellers to Be Blackout Ready
Grocery stores and gas stations could soon be shelling out sacks of cash on electrical upgrades.
The Daily News reports state legislators are mulling over a bill requested by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that would require stores to be blackout ready.
It could cost store owners up to $20,000 to rewire buildings to make them able to quickly switch to alternative power sources.
They would not be required to install backup generators.
The city says the legislation would ensure residents have food and fuel in an emergency, and that stores would benefit because they could continue making money.
The bill affects grocery stores with 60 or more employees or 20,000 square feet of space and gas stations with 25,000 gallons of fuel capacity.
The legislation is based on task force findings after the cityโs 2003 blackout.
Store owner.
No way i leave and then nyc customers can shop in my store in nassau county.
Milhouse
Yet another burden on business. The last thing that we need. Is Bloomberg *trying* to drive people out of business and increase unemployment? If he thinks stores would benefit, then why would they need to be compelled to do this? Obviously they would not benefit, for the obvious reason that there’s no guarantee that another blackout is coming; if there isn’t one, then they’re out all this money for nothing.