Florida officials considering gasoline reserve for hurricanes

Corcoran noted widespread gas shortages that occurred as Floridians were trying to evacuate. He said the committee would consider whether the state should create its own gas reserve in Central Florida.

The committee also is expected to look at power restoration efforts. Eight people at a South Florida nursing home died amid the heat.

The speaker also said that legislators may want to set up a dedicated fund to help pay for hurricane-preparation efforts.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, last week said the federal government should consider setting up a gasoline reserve in the Sunshine State.

“A Florida Gasoline Supply Reserve would ensure that residents and first responders have access to an emergency supply of fuel and help prevent the shortages that may have kept some from evacuating and may hinder recovery efforts going forward,” Nelson wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy.

He said the state wasn’t adequately prepared, while other officials said more underground pipelines could be the answer to fuel shortages when hurricanes strike the state.

The Central Florida Pipeline, which brings gasoline and diesel from the Port of Tampa Bay to a terminal in Taft south of Orlando, was turned off or only partially operating for several days because of Irma.