A newly-launched energy resiliency program in Maryland will play a major role in ensuring that drivers in the state will have access to gasoline, diesel, propane, and kerosene for transportation and generators during major disasters and power outages, Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum said.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) initially launched the service station resiliency grant program – “Fuel Up Maryland” – in Ocean City, Md.  The $1.7 million dollar program will provide funding for service stations to pre-wire for backup power generation in the event of a major power outage. Grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $15,000 for portable back-up power generators, the installation of permanent or fixed back-up generation and/or batteries.

Schaeffer said the Diesel Technology Forum has taken an interest in “Fuel Up Maryland” because diesel-powered generators are one of the best options for service stations to assure business continuity, and because reliable electrical power is a major component of each state’s emergency preparedness and response programs.

“Superstorm Sandy illustrated the vulnerability of our electrical grid,” Schaeffer said.  “It also highlighted how emergency responders, hospitals, local governments, data centers, businesses and homeowners could be adversely affected by the loss of electrical power - sometimes for days or weeks – due to the inability to access fuel for emergency generators and transportation.”