RUMANA TO INTRODUCE BILL REQUIRING EMERGENCY GENERATOR BACK-UP FOR GAS STATIONS

Assembly Republican Whip Scott Rumana today announced work on legislation that would require gasoline stations to have emergency power generator back-up for at least one of their pumps.

“Having had countless conversations with so many frustrated residents regarding their struggles to find fuel for their automobiles and home generators, it became clear that we need to fix the problem,” said Rumana, R-Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Morris. “With this bill we are seeking to address one component of this gas shortage crisis and hopefully avert the hardship so many residents have been living through.”

The legislation, being drafted with Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, is an attempt to fix one element of the gas shortage crisis the state has suffered in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

“We have people throughout my district, as well as the state, spending hours in line trying to get gas. Some of these lines are over mile in length and include people not only in cars, but also with empty gas cans for their generators and power tools,” explained Rumana. “This situation is not only adding to the economic devastation from the storm, but is putting lives in danger as towns are forced to place their already stretched police at stations to handle physical altercations. Such a measure should be included in any bipartisan post-Sandy legislative effort.”

Rumana said he also plans to work with the Christie administration to explore ways, including potentially setting up an SBA loan program, to help New Jersey’s small businesses afford to update their equipment.

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