March 14, 2014

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! 

GENERATOR MANDATE ISSUE NEVER DEAD
SELF SERVE
MVC: NEW VEHICLE INSPECTIONS AND NON-CERTIFIED ERFs & ERTs
PROPOSAL TO TAX E-CIGS -- OPPORTUNITIES TO TESTIFY!

 
As you know, the issue of generator mandates is one that may never fully go away. Despite our many successes over the past year, and the voluntary $7 million generator grant program that the NJ EDA has created, we have seen five generator mandate bills introduced in the Legislature so far this session. In addition to these proposals, something else recently caught my attention and caused slight concern. For those of you receiving your motor fuels license renewal, you will notice that there is a question that asks about the amount of electricity that is required to run your pumps and your point-of-sale equipment. Notice that they aren't asking about your c-store, your refrigeration units, your repair shop or your car wash. They are only asking about the electricity required to run your pumps and those things associated with your pumps. This effort to gather more info about the electrical needs of gas stations indicates that the issue of backup generators is not yet dead and we may continue to face serious battles in the future. I remain confident that our efforts will keep this issue bottled up, however there is no guarantee and it keeps me alert and on my toes.
 
Moving on, I recently mentioned that several legislators have inquired about the issue of permitting self serve gasoline sales in NJ. They have asked me how NJGCA feels about the issue, but because I have heard from many of you expressing opinions both for and against self service over the past few years, I have refused to give these legislators an official answer. However, knowing that there's a strong possibility that these legislators will introduce legislation in Trenton, I am going to have to answer the question soon.
 
That is why I had a survey on this issue sent to all NJGCA members several times in the past two months. I expect to be sharing the results of that survey with all of you in the upcoming weeks. I also recently saw an editorial about self-serve, which supports my theory that legislators are growing increasingly interested in this issue, and I will have to address the issue soon, so stay tuned! You can read Paul Mulshine’s column in the Star Ledger by clicking here.
 
Now for MVC issues, I've had numerous conversations with many members about performing motor vehicle emissions inspections on vehicles that are newer than 5 years old. As you know, a new vehicle does not need to be inspected until it is 5 years old. However, there are many circumstances that may require a motor vehicle approval sticker to be affixed before the required five year inspection (for example, vehicle ownership changes or out-of-state residency changes.) In those cases, PIFs are not permitted to perform the inspection and affix a sticker to those vehicles. These vehicles must be inspected only at a CIF.  We've brought this issue all the way to the top at MVC and it doesn't seem to be an issue that they are willing to address at this time.  Why?
 
Because, the State's contract with Parsons expired last year, but has been extended. However, the law does not allow the State to extend the contract again, so they have been forced to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new system and a new vendor, and hopefully an entire change in the system. You know that I have advocated for all motor vehicle emissions inspections to be performed at PIFs only. I believe that the central inspection facilities should be permanently closed and all inspections to be sent to your shops. This proposal will save the state of New Jersey about $30 million a year and put 2.5 million cars in your service bays.
 
Although MVC is in agreement that not allowing PIFs to perform emissions inspections on vehicles newer than 5 years is a dumb rule, their position is that the process needed to change this regulation would take longer than if the issue were simply addressed in the anticipated, upcoming RFP process. They agree that it will be addressed in the next iteration of emissions inspections procedures. Additionally, the State feels that small amount of incidents where a motorist and/or a PIF are inconvenienced is not worth the risk of added security issues, which were the original impetus behind the regulations to begin with. We have agreed to disagree.
 
We have also been working on the issue of emissions inspections being performed by shops that are not certified as Emissions Repair Facilities (ERFs), under the supervision of Emissions Repair Technicians (ERTs). Though I've received a preliminary solution to the issue that I raised, I'm not totally satisfied and I'm waiting for an official presentation of language that can be changed in the regulation that will address some of our concerns. I hope to have this in my hands in the next week or so and will include it in an upcoming Road Warrior email.
 
REMINDER: Because we are well-connected down in Trenton, we are hearing all kinds of stories about the proposals for taxing e-cigs. I'm not at liberty to reveal any of the possibilities, but I'm fearful that any proposal will be an obscenely ridiculous and unfair burden on those who sell and consume electronic cigarettes. If tobacco sales are important at your gas station or c-store, please review these dates and locations and consider showing up to voice your concern:
 
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee:
March 19, 2014 - 11:00 AM
Burlington County Institute of Technology
The Auditorium
695 Woodlane Road
Westampton, New Jersey 08060

Assembly Budget Committee:
March 18, 2014 - 9:30 AM
State House Annex
Committee Room 11, 4th Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
 
Anyone wishing to testify can register online (www.njleg.state.nj.us and next to "Budget Hearings," click online registration) or call the Legislative Budget and Finance Office at 609-847-3105 to register by phone. People presenting written testimony are asked to provide 20 copies on the day of the hearing.
 
If you do plan to attend and testify, I would appreciate if you would notify our office so that you can coordinate your testimony with other NJGCA members, as well as our own.

Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato,
Executive Director

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS 

Do you have a business for sale?  Are you looking for a new location or opportunity?

• NJGCA was recently able to lend a hand to members looking to sell their business by getting the word out. Since everyone reading this message is involved in the small business gasoline retail, convenience store, and automotive repair trades, it is an ideal medium to connect with interested buyers and prospects! 

NJGCA also assists members in selling equipment through the placement of advertisements in the Road Warrior!

• 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!      

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!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

03/13/2014:
Christie's NJ e-cigarette tax is hot topic at first budget hearing
A proposed new tax on e-cigs was the burning topic at the first legislative committee meeting of the state budget season. Christie’s budget proposal suggests raising taxes on the “e-cigs” to the regular rate for cigarettes ($2.70 per pack) saying they’re “unregulated and subject to standard State sales taxes only.” Because the products are so new, there is not much data on their safety. According to a press release from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e-cig vapor has, “far fewer of the toxins found in smoke compared to traditional cigarettes,” but “the impact of e-cigs on long-term health must be studied” and “research is needed to assess how e-cig marketing could impact initiation and use of traditional cigarettes particularly among young people.” At this point, nobody knows “whether e-cigs will decrease or increase use of traditional cigarettes.”  To read more about this issue and others that were raised at the Budget Hearings, please click above.

3/12/14:
Vermont Legislators Vote to Keep Tobacco Age at 18
Lawmakers in the Vermont House of Representatives rejected a measure that would have hiked the legal age to buy tobacco to 21. The vote by the House Human Services Committee came after State Health Commissioner said he opposed the legislation because 18- to 20-year-olds are legally adults and should have the freedom to smoke. To read more about the Vermont proposals and the arguments on both sides of the issue, please click the link.
 
03/11/2014:
MVC approves regulations banning Tesla stores in state
The NJ MVC voted unanimously this week to pass a series of regulations in conflict with Tesla Motors' business model, essentially banning the electric car maker from operating any further in the state. The regs will require all new cars to be sold by a franchised dealer rather than directly through the manufacturer, which Tesla currently does through corporate-owned stores. There are also stipulations that dealerships offer at least 1,000 sq. ft. for their showrooms and maintenance areas. Tesla, however, does not incorporate service centers at each of its stores. For example, the company has stores in the Garden State Plaza and Short Hills Mall shopping complexes but only offers service at a separate location in Springfield. With the regs effective as of April 1, it is unclear what will happen to Tesla's NJ locations. Tesla may look to challenge the decision in court.
 
More than a dozen company supporters, many (but not all of whom) were Tesla owners, spoke before the board to convey their disappointment. Also on hand was James Appleton, president of the NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers, the major supporter of the regulations.
 
Tesla says that despite working with MVC and Gov. Christie's administration since last year on coming up with a compromise, it received word that the administration "has gone back on its word to delay" the regulations and move the matter to the Legislature, where it "could be handled through a fair process."  Tesla claims that, as recently as January, it had been agreed upon with Christie's former Chief Counsel and new Chief Counsel that the two entities would air out their issues in the Legislature. Tesla now believes that Christie's office has been driving the regs. forward. A Christie spokesperson said that Tesla needed to appeal to the Legislature. With two stores already licensed in NJ, Tesla claims the new regs present a "complete reversal" on MVC's stance regarding its ability to operate in the state. For more details, please read the above article.
 
02/22/14:
Timeline: A brief history of why you can't pump your own gas in NJ
This article came out last month, and provides an interesting look at the history of self serve vs. full serve in NJ. Spanning from 1950 to 2012, the timeline provides a brief explanation of various legislative proposals, the positions that NJ governors have taken on the issue, and speaks to the concerns that allowing self-serve in New Jersey will affect gas prices.  To see more, please click on the above link.

TRAINING CLASSES!!
-ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT NJGCA HEADQUARTERS-
66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081 (Union County)

FUTURE CLASSES 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
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 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.