(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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