Backup Power Mandatory at Marlboro Gas Stations

If you're still having flashbacks to waiting in line for hours after Hurricane Sandy just to fill your tank, Marlboro Township has some good news.

A new ordinance passed through Town Council gives gas stations in Marlboro three years to acquire a backup generator system, to avoid power loss and massive fuel outages during natural disasters.

After Hurricane Sandy, the gas shortage hit close to home with one Marlboro Township family. In an effort to find gas, the Cano family's wheelchair accessible van broke down and had to be abandoned.

With power out in the Cano house, temperatures dropped dangerously low as their generator only powered their daughter's nebulizer.

The family was then transported to a relative's home by the Marlboro Police Department.

The backup power rule is an amendment to an existing ordinance, detailing the conditions of issued licenses. It now requires gas stations to supply an alternative power source in order to continue fuel service in the event of any power outage.

In order to give leeway to smaller gas stations, businesses have three years to comply with the new ordinance.