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March 15, 2013 Here is what you will find in this edition:
JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!
COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW
MOTOR FUEL LICENSING FREE HEALTHCARE REFORM SEMINAR INTERCHANGE SURCHARGES & GENERATORS NEXT WEEK The fact that you’re reading this message is something just short of a miracle. I was in endless meetings this week, and running back n’ forth to Trenton. I haven’t had a minute to myself to collect my thoughts (though my staff would probably say, “Thoughts?!? What thoughts?!?!”). Honestly, I wasn’t even going to attempt to write a message for this week with all that’s going on. However, there are a handful of important things that need to be addressed, and I promise to keep my message short. First off, the Community Right to Know (CRTK) survey was due on March 1st. In a perfect world, I would’ve had multiple reminder messages out to you two months in advance, but obviously that didn’t happen, and I apologize for not being more forceful. However, if you’re just remembering this for the first time, it speaks to a few telling things. 1). You aren’t using the NJDEP Compliance Calendar to keep track of your regulatory commitments at your station (it is clearly marked on the calendar). You can CLICK HERE to view an online version of the Compliance Calendar. 2). You better get your butt in gear and submit the survey ASAP! For anyone new to the industry reading this, the CRTK survey is mandatory, must be submitted online, and must be reported by March 1st each year. The purpose is to report whether or not you have hazardous substances at your location. If you have them or don’t isn’t the point – rather, the point is to acknowledge you are complying with the reporting rules and submit the survey. Remember, the survey is for the previous year -- meaning that the 2012 report was due on March 1, 2013. Though this is not really “news” anymore, for anyone who has been around for awhile, you will no longer receive a paper copy of the survey and it is incumbent on you to complete it online. To submit your survey, you need an NJDEP online account, and creating a username and password. If you haven’t done so, visit www.njdeponline.com to set up your account, and view an online video-tutorial. Please note that you do not need a certification PIN to complete your registration or submit the survey. To go directly to online PDF instructions, CLICK HERE to view them. CLICK HERE to visit the Office of Pollution Prevention & Community Right To Know website or call 609-292-6714. The second thing that was important to cover this week? Your Motor Fuel Licenses may be expiring on March 31st and must be renewed. The NJ Division of Taxation sent out a renewal letter to all current licensees who expire in 2013 last December. The letter advised licensees to go to the NJ State Treasurer website, print out and complete the MFA-1 form, and return it with your $150.00 license fee payment. All renewed licenses are good for 3 years. You visit the Treasury’s Motor Fuel Tax Form page by CLICKING HERE or download the MFA-1 form directly by CLICKING HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Hill at debbie@njgca.org or at 973-376-0066. You may be late to get your CRTK survey in, but you still have time to get your renewal in by March 31st – Don’t wait and get it done now! Last week, we sent out an Events & Announcements on a Free Seminar on Healthcare Reform. The seminar is being presented by NJGCA and AMT, our Group Health Coverage provider. If you didn’t see the message, CLICK HERE to review it now. The event focuses on how healthcare reform affects your small business and what ramifications it will have in how you run your establishment. A few of these meetings have already taken place, but there are several dates and locations coming in the next week. I strongly encourage you to attend! CLICK HERE to review the seminar details and the available dates/times. Then fill out the registration form and contact AMT with your attendance. There is a whole lot for me to report to you on the credit card surcharges and mandatory-generator battles – but I’ve already written too much for a short message and I don’t have anymore energy. This squid is out of ink – for now – but I will have more to say on it next week for sure. Thanks for reading – See you next week! Regards,
Sal Risalvato
BUSINESS FOR SALE!
Business Opportunity:
•Location – 34 Rt. 206 South – Somerville, NJ
Serious Inquiries Please Contact Bill at 908-887-1385
Do you have a business for sale? Are you looking for a new location or opportunity? If you'd like to list your business for sale, publish a location you're selling, or are seeking a business partner for your establishment, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066!
CLASSIFIEDS: FOR SALE & HELP WANTED! After running an ad in the Road Warrior over the last month, NJGCA was able to assist a member in selling his equipment! If you'd like to list equipment for sale, or have an open position you'd like to make other industry professionals aware of, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066 and let us help you get the word out!
NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
03/14/2013:
New regulations would permit towns to redirect snow removal dollars to debris removal Earlier this week, the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee approved a bill that would allow towns to re-allocate surplus snow-removal funds to be used for debris removal in emergency situations. Click above to read more on the proposal. 03/14/2013: Gas station generator bill passes Assembly Committee On Thursday, the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee passed a pilot program that would help gasoline retail locations wire their stations for emergency generators. The proposal would provide up to $10,000 in interest free loans to station owners. NJGCA will have more to report on this legislation next week, but click above to read more on the measure. 03/10/2013: Fracking-opponents hijack Delaware River Basin Commission meeting A group of environmentalists protested outside a meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission to oppose the Northeast Upgrade Pipeline Project. The gas pipeline, which will transport liquefied natural gas sourced from Pennsylvania fracking projects, would stretch across Northern New Jersey to Bergen County. Though the project was approved in July, the group hopes to stop the pipeline since it uses the controversial drilling technique to extract natural gas. 03/06/2013: Auto technology: 200-mile range electric car being developed In light of the Chevrolet Volt’s success, General Motors is currently working on a new electric vehicle architecture that it hopes to have on the road by 2017. Since battery technology is still evolving, GM is developing parallel systems – one capable of a 100-mile range, the other able to reach 200-miles – in order to make the most of the latest advancements. Click above to read more.
TRAINING CLASSES!! PLEASE NOTE: FUTURE DATES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 973-376-0066 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!!
MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE
TMP Energy Solutions 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 require12 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 973-376-0066 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
Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.
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: 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.
THE MEMBER TOOL BOX
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