Thursday, May 23, 2013

Greenwald & Caride Bill to Help Inform Residents of Places to Fuel Up During Emergencies Approved by Assembly

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Assemblywoman Marline Caride sponsored to create a database that will make it easier for the state to communicate locations of gas stations, including those with back-up generators, to the public during a crisis or ongoing emergency was approved 56-20-2 Monday by the Assembly.
The sponsors noted the list would benefit residents during times of state emergencies in severe weather occurrences such as hurricanes and snowstorms.
“When Sandy hit, residents were scrambling all over the state to locate places to buy fuel,” said Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington). “We were driving miles to find an open gas station. The time spent in long lines and searching was, to say the least, frustrating.”
“By creating a kind of gas station directory, we will make it easier for the state to help residents find fuel during these times of emergency and minimize the confusion that is likely to occur during future emergencies,” said Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic). “The energy shortage brought on by Hurricane Sandy can happen again. This bill is responsible government; a step forward in ensuring New Jersey is prepared in the future.”
The bill (A-3549) requires the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to create and maintain a database containing the names and locations of every premise in this state where motor fuel is sold by a retail dealer. 
The database is to be updated at least monthly and include information regarding the types of motor fuel sold by each dealer and which dealers possess back-up generating equipment on site
The bill will now be referred to the Senate.

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