The Christie Administration yesterday announced a $7 million grant program that will provide broader access to backup emergency power to gas stations.

Access to fuel supplies for essential personnel was one of the greatest challenges confronting healthcare providers during the sustained power outages following Superstorm Sandy.

“We learned firsthand during Superstorm Sandy that a reliable fuel supply is critical in a disaster to support essential facilities and emergency response operations,” Governor Christie said in announcing the program. “By working with homeland security experts, we will make New Jersey’s fuel supply and distribution systems more resilient, ensuring a more reliable source of fuel when it’s most needed.”

The state will make funding available to more than 250 fuel stations located along key thoroughfares identified by state homeland security and emergency management personnel. Eligible station owners will use the funds to purchase generators or permanent connection points for mobile generators, also known as “quick connects.” Stations were targeted for the program based on factors including proximity to evacuation routes and fuel storage capacity. The program is voluntary.

In addition to the generator incentive program for retail fuel stations, the state is acquiring a strategic cache of emergency generators that can be deployed through state emergency responders during a major power outage to critical assets such as hospitals, shelters and public safety facilities.