November 12, 2020

Dear Gasoline Retailer:

As you know, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) has implemented an administrative code change (N.J.A.C. 7:27-16.3(h)) which mandates the decommissioning of all Stage II Vacuum Assist Vapor Recovery Systems (“Stage II”). Please CLICK HERE to read two-page NJDEP Advisory for full details.

Your retail location recently appeared on a list of non-decommissioned sites that was published earlier this year. If you have decommissioned your Stage II system since the list was compiled, and you are now in compliance with NJDEP’s Advisory, please ignore this correspondence. Nonetheless, if your station’s Stage II system is still operational, you have not fulfilled the Advisory’s requirements, and believe you cannot meet the December 23, 2020 deadline, our Association is reaching out as a courtesy to offer our assistance. 

NJGCA members reading this message know that our Association has been sending notices on the decommissioning mandate, and this note will only serve as an additional reminder that the deadline is around the corner. 

If you are not a member, please note that NJGCA is a statewide, non-profit trade association representing approximately 1,500 small business owners in the gasoline retail, conveniences store, and automotive repair industries. To learn more about our Association, please CLICK HERE.

As small business advocates, we have been in contact with NJDEP regarding the looming deadline and maybe of assistance to decommission your location. We have learned anecdotally that many gasoline retail locations have started to explore the decommissioning process; but will not be decommissioned until after the December 23, 2020 deadline has lapsed. Such a delay may invite cumulative, compounded fines for non-compliance.
 
If you will miss the December 23, 2020 decommissioning deadline and/or need assistance to find a qualified DEP-approved contractor to perform the site decommission, please feel free to reach out to us for assistance. 
 
You can begin this process by reaching out to us at sal@njgca.org to communicate the factual circumstances surrounding your Stage II decommissioning.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to assisting you.

Sincerely,
Sal Risalvato
NJGCA Executive Director