Bill
H 3423
The act requires new fuel stations near evacuation routes to be pre-wired to connect a backup generator, and large chains must have deployable generators within 24 hours during eme
Status (from provided record)
- Prefiled: 2024-12-05
- Introduced / read first time: 2025-01-14
- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (multiple entries)
- Hearing scheduled: 2025-07-15
- Reported favorably by committee: 2025-10-20 (referred to House Steering, Policy & Scheduling)
- Advanced in House (rules suspended, read second/ordered to third reading): 2025-11-17
Note: The document provided also includes unrelated Massachusetts bill text concerning charter school procurement. This summary focuses on the South Carolina "Emergency Fuel Supply Act" portions.
Purpose
- To improve fuel availability during emergencies by requiring certain fuel stations to be pre-wired for connection to backup generators and, for larger chains, to ensure access to deployable backup generators.
Key provisions
- New section added to Chapter 6, Title 48 (to be codified as Section 48-6-90).
- Definitions:
- "Fuel station": establishment primarily selling gasoline or diesel for motor vehicles.
- "Evacuation routes": state or federally designated primary evacuation roads/highways.
- "Backup generator": unit capable of powering fuel pumps and essential station services during outages.
- New construction requirement (effective for projects after Jan 1, 2025):
- Any fuel station built after Jan 1, 2025 that is within 0.5 mile of a designated evacuation route or located on a South Carolina primary highway must install wiring capable of connecting a backup generator to power fuel pumps, cash registers, and essential lighting.
- Existing stations:
- Stations operational as of Jan 1, 2025 in the same geographic areas generally are not required to retrofit pre-wiring unless they undergo "significant renovations" (defined as renovations exceeding 50% of the station’s assessed value).
- Chain-station requirement:
- By Jan 1, 2026, any operational fuel station that is part of a chain operating ten or more South Carolina locations must:
- Install wiring capable of connecting a backup generator for pumps, registers and lighting; and
- Have access to a working generator that can be deployed within 24 hours after a declared emergency.
- Compliance and enforcement:
- Stations subject to the section must certify compliance to the Department of Environmental Services (as named in the bill).
- That department, in coordination with local emergency management officials, will oversee enforcement; noncompliance may result in fines/penalties as determined by the department.
- Effective date:
- The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- Fuel stations (new and existing) located within 0.5 mile of designated evacuation routes or on South Carolina primary highways.
- Large retail fuel chains operating ten or more locations in the state (specific accelerated compliance deadline).
- State agency designated to enforce the rule (named as Department of Environmental Services in the text) and local emergency management officials.
Practical impacts and implementation considerations
- Public safety: Improves likelihood that fuel will be available along evacuation corridors and major highways during power outages and declared emergencies.
- Costs: Adds construction/retrofit costs (electrical pre-wiring, generator acquisition or access plans) for new builds and larger chains. Retrofit exemption for smaller existing stations unless major renovation occurs limits immediate widespread expense.
- Operational readiness: Chains must ensure rapid generator deployment capabilities (24-hour window) — raises logistics and maintenance considerations.
- Clarity/administration: The bill leaves several operational details unspecified (e.g., minimum generator capacity, certification process, fine schedules). The named enforcing body ("Department of Environmental Services") may require statutory alignment with existing South Carolina agencies and rulemaking to establish technical standards and penalty amounts.
- Potential need for guidance/regulations on locating evacuation routes, exact wiring/specification standards, and acceptable proof of generator access.
Recommendation (for readers)
- Consult the final enrolled bill or subsequent agency rulemaking for technical standards, enforcement details and any amendments that resolve agency naming/implementation ambiguities.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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