Worldwide Power Products Offers Voice of Reason in Debate over Gas Station Generator-Requirement Legislation

Houston, TX, ( December 20, 2013) — Worldwide Power Products (WPP), a power-generation equipment provider to industrial clients worldwide, today offered a compromise in the hotly contested public debate over whether or not New York and New Jersey gas stations should be required to purchase and maintain emergency generators.

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Congressional representatives are proposing legislative mandates; gas station owners are rejecting the notion as financially disastrous; even voters are weighing in with concerns about how such a move could impact gas prices. At the announcement, WPP leaders pointed out that a compromise solution is readily available to provide emergency power to gas stations without overburdening either station owners or customers.

“Amid all the talk of transfer switches and $40,000 generators, both sides of the discussion are losing sight of a viable solution,” said WPP VP of Sales and Engineering David Vennie. “Gas stations can purchase reliable used generator sets for far less than their new counterparts. For example, WPP offers fully tested, reliably maintained 35kw generators in the $10,000 price range, when a new generator of the same model might cost $40,000.”

Of equal concern to station owners, said Vennie, is the reported requirement—in a bill proposed by New York Sen. David Carlucci, D-Clarkstown—for all motor fuel outlets to have a transfer switch installed by a professional electrical contractor. “For a very affordable price, WPP can install a Powertron Tap Box that enables fast connection of a rental generator set in the event of an outage.” This would allow the gas station to avoid the upfront capital costs of installing a generator set and allow them instead to opt for a standby rental contract if needed.
WPP also offers a Standby Generator Rental Program that places a generator onsite at a customer’s location for a flat monthly fee. “Legislators could ease the burden for smaller stations by letting owners submit proof of a seasonal rental contract to meet mandated emergency power requirements,” Vennie said.

Vennie urged gas station owners to be proactive, approaching congressional representatives and asking them to make any legislative requirements as broad as possible, which will help curb excessive costs—or let station owners buy or rent generators large enough to power their entire facility. “Everyone knows that gas stations don’t make their profits from gas,” said Vennie. “They make them from selling what’s inside the store, and those sales cannot happen after a disaster unless the station has sufficient emergency power.”

About Worldwide Power Products

Recently recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies, Worldwide Power Products specializes in power generation equipment including new and used engines and generator sets. As an independent company based in Houston, Texas, the company buys and sells new and used generator sets and engines worldwide. In addition, the firm provides engineering, maintenance and repair plus rental services for job sites in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Generator sets range in size from 20kW – 2500kW and engines range in size from 150hp – 4000hp. Brand specialties include Caterpillar generator sets and engines and Cummins generator sets. For more information and a complete list of inventory, visit: www.wpowerproducts.com .