Gasoline rationing takes effect in 12 New Jersey counties

Last night, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel and implemented odd-even rationing for gasoline purchases in 12 New Jersey counties. Odd-even fuel sales took effect at noon today in the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

As New Jerseyans continue the long process of recovering from Hurricane Sandy, it’s imperative that our families have secure, reliable access to essential supplies like fuel. Right now, the impact of the storm, particularly the continuance of widespread power outages, has created the disorderly sale of gas—including long lines, out of operation stations, and stations facing shortages. This system will ease the strain on those gas stations still operating, while we work to bring more online for the public to access fuel, in a manner that is fair, easy to understand, and less stressful.

—Governor Christie

NJ counties with gasoline rationing. Click to enlarge.

All retail dealers of motor fuel will be required only to sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates, the last number of which is an even number, on even numbered days of each month. Likewise sales will only be permitted to passenger automobiles bearing license plates ending in odd numbers on odd numbered days of the month. Specialized plates—or those not displaying a number—will be considered odd numbered plates.

Governor Christie and Attorney General Jeff Chiesa pledged to aggressively and vigorously enforce the order to ensure compliance and the effectiveness of the policy in the affected counties.

The orderly and reliable sale of gas to our residents is essential to maintaining a steady and reliable source of power for both transportation and the maintenance of essential services at home. With the challenges we face in the storm’s aftermath, we will be vigilant in enforcing this odd-even system, as we ease the stresses on the system. I encourage all New Jerseyans to abide by this system—motorists and retail dealers alike—to ease wait times and improve access for everyone. Those who choose to disregard this order will be prosecuted to the fullest extent permitted under the Governor’s state of emergency authority.

—Attorney General Jeffery S. Chiesa

These sales provision will remain in effect for as long as the Governor’s limited declared state of energy emergency is in effect in those 12 counties.

Source: Green Car Congress