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April 26, 2018

Dear NJGCA Member:

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

Here is what you will find in this edition:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

• What's Going On At The Pumps: Increase In Crude Oil Prices; Rise In EV Charging Stations; FDA Crack Down On E-Cigs; 2018 Diner Tour Schedule; Environmental Summit Website

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001
- Asbury Park: Commercial Building for Sale. Possible Sale of Business
- Bergen County: Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
• Republicans Hope To Ride A Gas-tax Repeal To Victory
• Ford To Stop Selling Every Car In North America But The Mustang And Focus Active
• Consumers Anticipate Gas Prices Will Rise
• Is the Time of Oil Over?

• N.J. Now Has The Strongest Equal Pay Law In America
• To Save Lives, Retailer Stocks Narcan Kits
• Cuomo Proposes Plastic-Bag Ban, Definitely Not Because of Cynthia Nixon
• US crude ticks up 9 cents, settling at $68.38, as market shakes off Trump's attack on OPEC

• Automakers Push for Single Fuel Grade

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
??????• Emissions Inspector Training Class, TUESDAY, May 8th

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• The Amato Agency: Garage Insurance and Workers Compensation!
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing
• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
• CBIZ Insurance: Our Business is Growing Yours!
• Gill Energy: Getting you There!
• Lending Capital: "Commercial Loans Made Easy" Program
• Salomone Brothers: Tank Testing and Environmental Compliance
• TMP Energy Solutions: Another Way to Save On Your Energy Bills

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
• Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE
TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

WHATS GOING ON AT THE PUMPS: INCREASE IN CRUDE OIL PRICES
RISE IN EV CHARGING STATIONS
FDA CRACK DOWN ON E-CIGS
2018 DINER TOUR SCHEDULE
ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT WEBSITE

I refrained the last couple of weeks from talking about what's happening at the pumps, and although it is not uncommon for prices to rise during this time of the year due to the switch to summer blended fuels, there is also another factor that is playing a major role in the price increases that you are experiencing. It can’t be ignored that the price of crude oil has risen above $68, and although it has fluctuated every day, it is still maintaining a level between $66 and $69. Surprisingly, to most experts the price of crude is high as a result of the cutback in production by OPEC nations over a year ago. It was generally expected that the record production in the United States would offset OPEC's cutbacks. Nationwide inventories of crude oil have been lower than expected resulting in the rise of price. You may remember several months ago I predicted that we would see the price of gasoline drop over the summer months, which is the actual driving season, contrary to what most experts predict. I believe that demand will not increase as market speculators are currently predicting (or hoping?) which will result in prices lower than they are speculating at the moment. I believe part of this less than expected demand will be the result of high prices. You have heard me say more than once that the best remedy for high gas prices is high gas prices. We will all see if I’m right.

I’ll keep pointing out every bit of evidence that shows the proliferation of electric charging stations. Most recently, both Walmart and Target have pledged to expand electric charging stations as part of a new partnership with Electrify America. For those that get involved, there will be opportunities for profit and for those that do not, you will be faced with the realization that every customer that drives an EV is a customer that will never be buying gas from you again.

The FDA has stepped up undercover operations in convenience stores to try to root out sales of tobacco and vaping products to underage buyers. This is just an alert for you to be vigilant and monitor your employees to make sure they are adhering to a proper policy that prevents sales of these products to customers under the age of 21. Furthermore, the new Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health announced to the Budget Committee this week they will be stepping up their efforts to crack down on sale of tobacco and vaping products to anyone under the age of 21. Both the FDA and the DOH are specifically looking at Juul, which is a new type of vaping product being sold by many c-stores. Read more about this effort here.

I am excited to announce we will be resuming our diner tours next month, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday, May 16th at 9:30 AM at the Skylark Diner in Edison. This is your opportunity to raise any questions or concerns regarding your business, the industry, or policy happening in Trenton and Washington. We get these calls to our office every day raising these types of questions, and we hope to have discussions with you in person and with your peers on these subjects in order to keep our members informed. Please let Michelle know if you can make it by emailing her at michelle@njgca.org. If you are unable to attend this meeting, we also have dates locked down on June 13th at the Suburban Diner in Paramus and on July 18th at the Shore Diner in Egg Harbor Township. I hope to see you there.

For those of you who were unable to attend our April 17th Seminar with NJDEP, check out our website to access helpful resources, pictures, and presentations from NJDEP and NJGCA that were delivered to our audience of over 150 participants. Note: presentation materials are only available to members, make sure you have your member ID and password ready if you want to view the presentation slides.

That’s all for this week,

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

TRAINING CLASSES!!
All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753

Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
TUESDAY, May 8th, 2018 -- 7 AM to 3 PM
Want one of your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our one-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector, and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices! We are offering the class: Thursday, February 15 from 7:00am to 3:00pm. Cost $275.
Click HERE for the registration form.

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

FOR SALE:

Business For Sale: Monmouth County gas station and repair shop in business since 2001 is for sale. Owner is relocating out of state and is interested in selling business and equipment. Owner is open to limited financing. Business has a strong 10 year lease. The building has two repair bays and the gas pumps are leased to a large independent tenant. Repair shop business currently employs a Manager and two full-time Technicians. For inquiries and more info, please call Mark at 908-670-7798.

FOR SALE:

Commercial Building in Asbury Park, Possible Sale of Business, Too! For listing information, please click HERE.

FOR SALE:

Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale in Bergen County!

Business established in 1980. Fully equipped repair shop with 5 lifts including an alignment rack with a 2-year-old Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. New Hunter tire machine & wheel balancer. AAA aproved and very busy.

Towing business also available which includes 3 Freightliner/JerrDan flatbeds (2015, 2016 & 2017), a 2012 Dodge crew cab wrecker with a Jerrdan Quick Pick & dual cable winch & 2 service trucks (a 2012 GMC 2500 utility truck with a plow & a 2014 Ford transit battery/service vehicle).

Pumping over 1,000,000 gallons per year. 100x300 lot with plenty of parking. Excellent location!!! Call Jim @ 201-851-3084.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

4/26/18
Republicans Hope To Ride A Gas-tax Repeal To Victory
Republicans are on the verge of turning in at least 830,000 signatures for an initiative to repeal the tax increase. Even before they know for sure it will appear on the November ballot, the party's candidates up and down the state already are acting to direct voter anger over higher fuel prices at Democrats who boosted the levies. Democrats say they are not worried, because the gas tax is paying for much-needed road and bridge repairs. The thinking is that President Trump's policy decisions will be a bigger factor for voters. The initiative targets a law approved as SB 1 in April 2017 by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. It is expected to raise $5.4 billion annually for road and bridge repairs and improvements to mass transit. The money comes from a 12-cents-per-gallon increase in the gas tax, a 20-cent increase in the diesel fuel excise tax and a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 for cars valued at under $5,000, to $175 for cars worth $60,000 or more. Californians started paying the higher taxes in November, and more are to come. In lieu of gas taxes, electric car owners will pay a $100 annual fee starting in 2020. The repeal ballot measure is a constitutional amendment, and if it passes, it would also require approval by voters of any future gas tax increases.

4/25/18
Ford To Stop Selling Every Car In North America But The Mustang And Focus Active

Ford today announced it will phase out most cars it sells in North America. According to its latest financial release, the auto giant will "will transition to two vehicles" being the Mustang and an unannounced vehicle, the Focus Active, as the only traditional cars it sells in the region. Ford sees 90 percent of its North America portfolio in trucks, utilities and commercial vehicles. Citing a reduction in consumer demand and product profitability, Ford is in turn not investing into the next generation sedans. The Taurus is no more. The press release also talks about a new type of vehicle though it sounds like a crossover. This so-called white space vehicle will "combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility." Currently, Ford sells six sedans and coupes in North America with the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, C-Max, Mustang and Taurus.

4/25/18
Consumers Anticipate Gas Prices Will Rise
As summer approaches, the vast majority of consumers expect gas prices to rise (57%) or to stay at current levels (36%). Very few gas purchasers expect prices to drop during the coming month (just 6%), according to the latest NACS Consumer Fuels Survey findings. Overall, gas prices are up six cents (from $2.59 to $2.65 per gallon) since the last NACS consumer poll in February, and drivers have noticed, as nearly seven in 10 (68%) consumers say that gas prices are higher than they were 30 days ago. Despite both the current and expected future rise in gas prices, Americans remain optimistic about the overall economy: 62% of drivers say that they are optimistic about the economy, up two points from the February survey. In April 2016, only 44% of Americans were optimistic about the economy. Today, consumers are most optimistic in the Northeast (65%) and least optimistic in the West (55%), the region that also had the highest percentage of drivers who noticed gas prices have increased (79%).

4/25/18
Is the Time of Oil Over?
While yesteryear’s high oil prices drove industry efficiencies, the elevated cost of oil also brought about an oversupply and lower prices, CNBC reports. “That era of high-price oil that we had drove innovations all over the place especially in terms of shale but it also enabled oil operators to make much bigger risks,” said John Kilduff, founding partner of Again Capital. The volatility of oil prices—which are creeping up again because of Middle East tensions—often highlights the benefits of less expensive, alternative energy. While renewables investments will continue to expand, the end of the oil era is not yet here. “I think oil's got another four or five decades before we see anything,” said John Eichberger, executive director of the Fuels Institute. “Change is coming, but it's going to take time.”

4/25/18
N.J. Now Has The Strongest Equal Pay Law In America
New Jersey cemented a place in history books Tuesday after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the most sweeping equal pay legislation in the nation. The new law protects women and minorities in the state from workplace discrimination by making it illegal to offer lower pay and benefits to them. Employers who pay one person more than another will now have to demonstrate how their experience and education sets them apart. Women who seek damages in court would be allowed to recoup lost wages for up to six years -- three times longer than the federal law's two-year cap. Employers are also prohibited from cutting the wages of higher-paid staff in order to make salaries comparable.

4/23/18
To Save Lives, Retailer Stocks Narcan Kits
The retailer [Issa Nammour] became trained in how to administer naloxone, an antidote to an opioid overdose, the Press of Atlantic City reports. Now at several Cedar Market locations, he stocks a pouch with a pair of latex gloves, a rescue breathing mouthpiece and Narcan nasal spray behind the counter. “The kit we have here, I got a few of them,” Nammour said. “It will slowly save a person’s life.” In 2016, more than 2,200 New Jersey residents died from an overdose, up 40% from 2015, according to the Office of the State Medical Examiner. Nammour took part of the Atlantic County Alliance’s “Just in Case” awareness campaign, which trains locals in how to administer naloxone to someone suffering from a drug overdose.

4/23/18
Cuomo Proposes Plastic-Bag Ban, Definitely Not Because of Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon has pushed Governor Andrew Cuomo so far out of his comfort zone that he’s now proposing new laws for which he has previously expressed little enthusiasm. On Monday, Cuomo decided that he wants to ban all plastic bags in New York state. Just last year, Cuomo personally killed a New York City proposal to add a five-cent fee for every plastic bag just one day before it was supposed to go into effect. . . But Cuomo’s new proposal does not mean that the bags, a scourge of New York City streets, will actually be eliminated anytime soon. The governor is calling for a legislative solution, and the New York State Senate, which is controlled by Republicans in large part because of the governor, is unlikely to pass anything.

4/20/18
US Crude Ticks Up 9 Cents, Settling At $68.38, As Market Shakes Off Trump's Attack On OPEC
Crude futures came under pressure on Friday but recovered from a sharp drop after President Donald Trump suggested in a tweet that OPEC is keeping oil prices artificially high. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices were up 9 cents at $68.38 a barrel, after dropping as low as $67.50 after Trump's tweet. International benchmark Brent crude was at $74.07, up 29 cents at 2:29 p.m. ET, off a session low of $72.83. Both benchmarks hit more than three-year highs this week, as falling U.S. crude stockpiles, geopolitical tension and concerns about supply disruptions in key oil-producing nations supported the market.

4/20/18
Automakers Push for Single Fuel Grade
The big three automakers—General Motors (GM), Ford and Fiat Chrysler—are pushing for the United States to adopt one fuel grade. The companies have partnered with the United States Council for Automotive Research to campaign for a single, 95-octane grade of fuel, which would replace the current 87-octane regular, 88- to 90-octane midgrade and 91- to 94-octane premium, Automotive News reported. This would put the United States in line with Europe, giving it the same octane fuel as Europe’s regular grade. The automakers’ proposal would be to phase out the current octane grades over time, GM spokesman Tom Read told Automotive News. Under the plan, gasoline with a higher octane than 95 would still be available as a type of superpremium grade.

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.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC

DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS.
ANSWER THE CALL & CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!

Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.

However, in order to truly affect the debate, we must ensure our friends in the Legislature are re-elected. It is for this reason that your Association has established the NJGCA PAC.

For too long, the weight of funding our Political Action Committee, the arm of the Association responsible for political donations, has rested upon a few. This is not only unfair to those few members who have shouldered this burden, but means we are not utilizing our full strength to affect the debate in Trenton.

To truly understand the importance of supporting our allies, consider our successes in Trenton:

We defeated BELOW COST SELLING
We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law!
We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly
We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram
We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes
...and MUCH MORE!!

In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature!

If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
NJGCA PAC
4900 Route 33 West, Suite 100
Wall Township, NJ 07753
Please make your donation payable to NJGCA PAC

I understand that times are tough for all NJGCA members, but this is just as important as any battle we have fought in the past.

We have made great progress in Trenton. I hope that you will answer the call.

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.