September 17, 2015

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE "RIGHT TO REPAIR" M.O.U. SIGNED
PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE AGE TO PURCHASE TOBACCO IN HILLSDALE
NJGCA HOSTS DELEGATION OF CHINESE COMMERCE & ENERGY OFFICIALS
SUCCESSFUL BREAKFAST MEETING IN FORKED RIVER
NEXT MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 30th IN CLIFTON
REMINDER TO TAKE NJGCA MBP SATISFACTION SURVEY

There has been an exciting update to our Right to Repair efforts. Announced on Wednesday, the National Commercial Vehicle Service Information Memorandum of Understanding covers a gap that was left after the passenger vehicle MOU was agreed to in Jan 2014.  As you recall, in Nov 2013 Massachusetts became the first State in the nation with a full Right to Repair law on the books. A few months later, manufacturers and representatives of the independent repairers and aftermarket companies unveiled a national Right to Repair MOU based on the MA law.  There are two big differences between this MOU and the MA law: the MA law covered heavy duty vehicles and the MOU did not. Second, certain protections granted to the car dealers in MA were also left out of the MOU.

The new MOU covers all vehicles over 14,000 pounds, except for RVs and vehicles with a “non-road engine” (such as construction vehicles).  Unlike the Light Duty vehicle MOU (LD-MOU), which was in some ways weaker than the MA law; this new MOU for heavy duty vehicles (HD-MOU) is in many ways stronger than the MA law.  The MA law doesn't cover buses that exceed 14,000 pounds, but this agreement will. It also doesn't exempt commercial heavy duty vehicles built to custom specifications. Perhaps most significantly, this new MOU covers heavy duty vehicles 2010 and newer, while in MA the requirement was only for 2013 & newer. It also specifically requires the manufacturers to provide independent repairers with access to training materials and instructions related to tools and repairs, as well as information to identify the locations of sensors and computer modules on the heavy duty vehicle.
 
Without getting too into the weeds, heavy duty manufacturers will have to provide independent repairers with all the codes and information necessary to make repairs on heavy duty vehicles MY 2010 and newer. They will also have to provide the aftermarket companies with the info necessary for them to make their own aftermarket tools. You will be able to buy a subscription to this information from the manufacturer on either a monthly or yearly basis, and there are many provisions to ensure that they charge a fair price. Beginning in MY 2018, new heavy duty vehicles will have to be manufactured in such a way that the onboard computers can be accessed with a basic, off the shelf PC or entirely through the onboard computer. The 2014 MOU covering vehicles under 14,000 pounds makes the same requirements, except that the manufacturers must provide the codes for MY 2002 and newer vehicles.
 
Despite these apparent victories, I'm still not 100% satisfied and would like to see a law passed in NJ. However, Senate President Sweeney is blocking it from being heard in the Commerce Committee in the Senate. My concern, as with the MOU for passenger vehicles, is basically that I just don't trust the car manufacturers.  It took them 15 years to get here and they lied throughout the whole process.  The only reason these MOUs exist is because of our efforts here in NJ.  Chairman of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Paul Moriarty specifically told the manufacturers at a hearing that if they didn't come to the table with an agreement and cooperate with independent repair shops, that he would see to it that New Jersey was successful in passing a Right to Repair law. The threat of having 50 different laws in 50 states was enough to prompt the manufacturers to sign the MOU.
 
We will continue to keep you updated as progress is made on this issue.
 
With the summer over, we are back on the road opposing municipal efforts to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. Our next fight will take place in Hillsdale.  Eric and I will be fighting the good fight, but I expect there will be insults and heated exchanges as we oppose their efforts.  Keep in mind that these proposals also include not just traditional tobacco products but smokeless and vapor tobacco products, on which you make a much higher profit margin.
 
Next, you may remember that three years ago, a delegation of Chinese officials from SINOPEC came to visit us. SINOPEC  is a Chinese State-owned petroleum energy and chemicals company, and their executives came to learn more about the gas industry in the States. This week, we hosted a delegation of Chinese government officials from the Ministries of Commerce and Energy.  These government employees and officials also came to the States to learn more about how the gasoline industry works.  They were extremely interested in learning about the role that government plays in permitting and licensing, and what kind of requirements or regulations your business are subject to.  Through a translator, many of the questions surrounded the various areas that you as business owners need to obtain permission from the government to do. We enjoyed our time with the delegates, and we took them to see the gas station and convenience store of our local member, Bipin Patel.  We appreciate Bipin welcoming this delegation into his store and for taking the time to answer their many questions.  Below are a few pictures from their visit.

Members of the Chinese Delegation meeting with Bipin Patel at Allenwood Exxon


NJGCA staff with 14 Chinese government officials


Sal receiving a special gift from the Delegation Leader

Yesterday we hosted another successful breakfast meeting in Forked River, which featured great roundtable discussions on self-serve, the marketplace and the price of gasoline, the gas tax, state inspection, minimum wage, and tobacco.  We will be doing it all again in two weeks, on Sept. 30 in Clifton.  If there is anyone in the Bergen/Passaic/Essex county areas who is able to join us, we'd love to have you.  We will be emailing members in those areas with specific details, but if you would like to attend, call Jacy at 732-256-9646. Remember that ALL members no matter where they reside or have their business may attend ANY of our breakfast meetings… and all are encouraged to bring a non-member guest who may benefit from becoming an NJGCA member!
 
My final reminder to you is to PLEASE fill out the MBP survey. The link to complete the survey online is HERE.
 
That's all for now!  Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

TRAINING CLASSES!!

ETEP Re-Cert, Sections 8, 9 and 10 being offered in SOUTH Jersey (Wall Twp) -- DAY and EVENING Classes Available!

For Class Informational Flyer, please click here.
For Class Registration Form, please click here.

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 732-256-9646 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS.  THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!!

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS 

NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS!

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager

For more information about these positions, and to submit a resume for consideration, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

09/15/2015:
These 4 factors determine how much you pay for gas
What goes in to calculating gas prices? There are four things that make up the gas and diesel fuel price that drivers pay at the pump, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.  In July, which was the most recent break down from the EIA, the price of crude oil makes up almost half of the per-gallon price. It's also the most volatile, because it is traded on commodities markets. The next-highest cost is refining that crude oil into gas or diesel fuel, which is about 25% of the pump price. While not as volatile as the cost of oil, a refinery shutdown or fire can cause a price spike. Distribution and marketing account for 13% of the cost of a gallon of gas. Finally, taxes contributed 16% to the pump price of gas and 19% to the cost of diesel. The EIA based this on a national average price in July of $2.79. On Monday, the national average gas price was $2.32, while NJ's was 2.07, according to GasBuddy.com.
 
9/13/2015:
Parkway rest stop gas station attendant robbed at gunpoint, police say
An unidentified gunman stole $3,000 in cash Saturday night from a gas station in a Garden State Parkway rest area near Exit 98, police said. The incident happened at 10:22 p.m. at the Sunoco gas station, said Sgt. First Class Gregory Williams, a State Police spokesman. Williams said the man took out a gun, ordered the employee to get on the ground, before stealing cell-phones and approximately $3,000 in cash. The man then ran across the Parkway and hopped in a car that was parked on the northbound shoulder, Williams said.  Police do not have a description of the robber or the car he fled in. No one was injured in the robbery and it remains under investigation.
 
09/12/2015:
Record N.J. lottery sales are no windfall; worst returns in 40 years fuel vendor criticism
Lottery ticket sales have topped $3 billion for the first time, but NJ’s lottery expects to send only $930 million back to the state to help fund social service programs -- the lowest rate of return in nearly 40 years.  In the past, record sales most often translated to record dollars back to the state for school nutrition programs, housing for disabled veterans, education scholarships and money required to be funneled to the budget by the law that created the lottery itself.  But NJ is not expecting those record sales to translate to the state budget for fiscal 2015, which ended in June, the first full year since the lottery’s sales and marketing was outsourced to a group that spent heavily on lobbying firms led by Governor Christie’s closest allies. That group, Northstar New Jersey, stands to be paid about $100 million in fees and reimbursements for fiscal 2015, according to a Record analysis of contract and unaudited budget documents.
 
09/07/2015:
Paid sick leave: Obama issues executive order
President Barack Obama issued an executive order Monday that requires federal contractors to grant at least seven days of paid sick leave to their employees, including 300,000 who had none. Obama addressed the order during a Labor Day speech at a Boston breakfast and rally, where he also called on Congress to extend paid leave to millions more Americans by passing the Healthy Families Act, which would mandate that all employers with more than 15 employees would have to grant at least seven sick days annually. In addition, Obama pointed to Massachusetts as an example of a state that has passed similar sick leave laws, calling on other cities and states to do the same. The order grants employees of federal contractors at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, though individual contractors could opt for more. It also takes into account absences related to stalking, sexual assault or domestic violence, the White House said.

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:

TMP Energy Solutions
Another Way to Save on Your Energy Bills

We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it's difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an "accurate" analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available. 

This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum KW demand is acquired. By pooling the member's usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate.

Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group.

Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision.

If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require 12 months of your most recent utility bills.

There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #'s, meter #'s  service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem.

The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate.

If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Greg Cannon at the NJGCA.

Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket.

We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs.  Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund. 

Contact GREG CANNON at 732-256-9646 or email Greg at greg@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest.