Monmouth Co. Lawmaker Says Self-Serve Gas Needs To Come To NJ

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — The state Senator who represents northern Monmouth County said he strongly backs the idea of allowing New Jersey residents to pump their own gas.

State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon (R) said the pump-your-own-gas movement in New Jersey has — up until now — been a "vast, silent majority."

"I say I am pro choice: Give NJ drivers the choice to pump their own gas or not. That's it," said O'Scanlon this week.

O'Scanlon, a Republican, is one of the prime sponsors of a pending bill that would allow drivers to pump their own gas. He said the bill has strong backers from both parties, and he's confident it's going to become law, despite criticism this week from Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union County).

Scutari told NJ Monitor this week he opposed the new self-serve proposal — for now.

"The people of New Jersey are very clear in wanting to keep the system we have now," Scutari said.

O'Scanlon countered:

"I have faith this is not a done deal; I am confident we have a shot."

O'Scanlon's bill would not completely abolish gas station attendants in New Jersey: It would instead allow stations to offer full-serve or self-serve options, or a combination of the two. Stations with more than four pumps would be required to have a full-service option between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The way the bill is written is that any gas station in the state that has more than four pumps would still have to offer full service and have gas station attendants. However, any driver who chooses could get out of their car and pump their own gas.

However, smaller gas stations with fewer than four pumps would not be required to have an attendant and therefore drivers would have to pump their own gas.

"The majority, about 60 percent of stations in the state have more than four pumps," said O'Scanlon. "And for the other 40 percent of smaller stations, many of them told me they would still have an attendant."

Gov. Phil Murphy has indicated he's open minded to the idea of letting New Jersey residents pump their own gas.

O'Scanlon said he also envisions self-serve gas could be as much as 15 cents per gallon cheaper than full-service.

However:

"There is no data supporting any contention that moving to a self-service model would save residents money at the pump," said Scutari.

The New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association estimated that stations could reduce prices by 15 cents per gallon if they're allowed to offer self-service. But critics argued that there is no guarantee stations will reduce prices even if they required fewer staff.

O'Scanlon represents the thirteenth legislative district, which includes Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Rumson and Union Beach.

"In the past year, gas stations have already been struggling to find employees to pump gas," said O'Scanlon. "I've seen lanes closed in the past year because stations could not find workers. I, like many other drivers out there, just want to get in, get out and keep my credit card in my possession."

According to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll conducted two weeks ago, 73 percent of New Jerseyans said they preferred having their gas pumped for them; 22 percent said they preferred self-serve.

Murphy said adding the self-serve option could help ease the pressure on gas station employees, since there are staffing shortages statewide.

With reporting from Remy Samuels/Patch

Prior: NJ State Senate President Opposes Self-Serve Gas Bill

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