Shapiro signs Hill-Evans’ bill to make gas pumps safer at convenience stores

Rep. Carol Hill-Evans October 11, 2023 | 4:59 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 11 – Gov. Josh Shapiro today signed legislation authored by state Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, that increases the maximum distance between the master control emergency shut-off devices and fuel dispensers by 150 feet, offering safer vehicle and pedestrian circulation at convenience stores. The new law increases the distance from 200 feet to 350 feet.

“The convenience store and fuel industries have changed significantly since the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act was enacted in 1998. The massive growth in size of convenience stores and the number of gas pumps being put over the past 25 years made the 200-foot distance both impractical and unsafe for businesses and consumers alike,” Hill-Evans said. “I appreciate the work of the legislature when considering my bill and thank Governor Shapiro for signing it into law.”

According to Hill-Evans, to comply with the 200-foot maximum distance requirement, fuel retailers have been forced to place fuel canopies too close to stores, which created safety concerns for pedestrians and vehicles. It also limited the number of fuel dispensers that could be placed on a site and resulted in the stacking of vehicles and increased vehicle congestion, along with impacting the alignment of fuel canopies and line of sight.

“By making this small change to the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act, fuel dispensers can now be placed farther from convenience stores, and therefore, farther from pedestrians,” Hill-Evans said. “It’s an economic and safety win for businesses and consumers.”

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