Two panels of experts, convened to explore ways that New York State can prepare for disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, have proposed the creation of a strategic fuel reserve, and introducing a requirement for some fuel service stations to install generators.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed the commissions, which have just delivered the uncosted preliminary recommendations, in November. Cuomo has publicly remarked that unanticipated fuel shortages had significantly disrupted the region’s economic life after the hurricane, and that he plans to address the issue.
“Climate change is dramatically increasing the frequency and the severity of these situations,†said the Governor. “And as time goes on, we’re more and more realizing that these crises are more frequent and worse than anyone had predicted.†He acknowledged that “money is a factor in all of these decisions,†given the state’s budget constraints, but he added that new emergency-preparedness measures were worth the investment.