COLUMBIA - Rural folks and night-shifters need to fill up, too.
So Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden, has introduced a bill that would allow unstaffed gasoline stations, as long as the gas pumps automatically shut off at $65.
Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, is a co-sponsor.
"We think it's a good customer-service bill," said Michael Fields, executive director of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association.
Mr. Fields said the bill could make gasoline more accessible to people in rural areas, where there are no round-the-clock stations.
But it also would allow gas stations in cities and towns to provide gas 24 hours a day, even if the stations cannot afford staff for a full-time operation, he said.
Mr. Sheheen said current code lets communities allow gas purchases after a station has closed if the station meets certain regulations, including automatic shut-offs.
Some communities, including his, do not allow that, however, he said.
Citing safety concerns, the South Carolina Firefighters' Association is opposing the bill.
Mr. Sheheen said he added the $65 automatic shut-off requirement to address environmental concerns that large amount of gas could be spilled, accidentally or on purpose.