Governor DeSantis Announces New Fuel Depots and Debris Cleanup Incentives Amid Post-Storm Recovery
At a press conference held at a temporary fuel site in Bradenton on Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis outlined measures aimed at easing fuel shortages and speeding up debris cleanup across Southwest Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The governor announced that additional full-service temporary fuel depots would begin operation as early as 7 a.m. on Sunday in Port Charlotte, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties, to help address the fuel demand that has surged in the wake of the storm.
DeSantis emphasized that fuel supplies are currently being escorted south by the Florida Highway Patrol and expressed optimism that residents would soon see improved fuel availability. Long lines persisted at gas stations in Manatee County on Saturday, with many stations unable to pump gas due to ongoing power outages.
The governor reported that power restoration efforts have made significant progress, with the number of outages reduced to 1.4 million statewide from a peak of 2.6 million immediately after the storm. Despite this improvement, about 39%, or roughly 100,000 customers in Manatee County, were still without electricity as of Saturday afternoon, according to data from Find Energy. Many gas stations remain closed, unable to pump fuel without power.
In addition to addressing fuel supply issues, DeSantis highlighted his administration’s commitment to reopening SeaPort Manatee, a key fuel import hub that handles approximately 400 million gallons of gasoline each year. The governor noted that restoring operations at SeaPort Manatee would be a priority in helping to stabilize the fuel supply in the region.
DeSantis also announced a federal commitment to fully reimburse local governments for storm-related debris cleanup costs for up to 90 days. He urged local authorities to expedite their debris removal efforts to take advantage of this temporary 100% reimbursement incentive, stressing that delays could result in missed reimbursement opportunities.
As Southwest Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Milton, these new initiatives aim to accelerate relief efforts, restore fuel access, and clear the way for rebuilding efforts in the affected areas.