NEWARK
– Weights and Measures inspectors
checking gas stations in all 21 New Jersey
counties have found more than 300 alleged
violations, including pricing discrepancies,
inaccurate octane ratings, and inaccurate
or out-of-tolerance equipment, Attorney
General Anne Milgram and Consumer Affairs
Director David Szuchman announced.
More
than 1,000 gas stations were inspected at
the end of May through a coordinated effort
involving county and state Weights and Measures
personnel.
“Consumers
deserve to get what they pay for, especially
when they are paying record-setting prices
for gasoline,” Attorney General Anne
Milgram said. “We cannot control the
price of gasoline but we can, and we are,
upholding our laws and regulations regarding
the sale of motor fuels.”
The
350 violations found at the 1,023 stations
inspected include the following:
-
Meters out of tolerance (more than 6
cubic inches) 62 violations
-
Station registration not available 47
violations
-
Per-gallon prices different on each
side of the pump 46 violations
-
Fuel grade not posted (octane rating
label) 37 violations
-
Price-per-gallon on dispenser non-compliant
36 violations
-
Service station fuel brand not posted
30 violations
-
Inaccurate octane rating 26 violations
-
Inaccurate total sale price calculation
19 violations
-
Per-gallon prices not posted on pump
15 violations
-
Multiple price changes in a 24-hour
period 14 violations
-
Documents not available 14 violations
-
5-gallon test measure requirements (no
device) 2 violations
-
Credit card receipts missing information
2 violations
The
counties will process these violations,
and local Weights and Measures officials
joined with Attorney General Milgram at
today’s press conference at Essex
Green Sunoco in West Orange. The gas station,
which has a history of being in compliance
with state laws and regulations, was undergoing
its annual inspection.
“Let
the word go out loud and clear – we
have no tolerance for any gas station operator
who tries to scam motorists who are already
struggling with record gas prices,”
Consumer Affairs Director Szuchman said.
The
division, state Weights and Measures inspectors,
and their county partners, also plan to
continue to inspect stations during the
peak summer driving season.
Dealers
who violate per-gallon pricing violations
face a civil penalty of up to $1,500 for
the first offense and up to $3,000 for any
subsequent offense. A violation of the Consumer
Fraud Act carries an initial violation of
up to $10,000 and up to $20,000 for any
subsequent violation.
Consumers
may contact their local Weights and Measures
Offices or the State Office at the following
numbers:
N.J. State Office, (732) 815-4840
Atlantic County, (609) 345-6700
Bergen County (201) 336-6424
Burlington County, (609) 265-5098
Camden County, (856) 374-6001
Cape May County, (609) 463-6475
Cumberland County, (856) 453-2203
Essex County, (973) 395-8363
Gloucester County, (856) 384-6855
Hudson County, (201) 319-3820
Hunterdon County, (908) 788-1249
Mercer County, (609) 989-6579
Middlesex County, (732) 745-3872
Monmouth County, (732) 431-7362
Morris County, (973) 285-2955
Ocean County, (732) 929-2166
Passaic County, (973) 305-5750
Salem County, (856) 935-7510
Somerset County, (908) 231-7125
Sussex County, (973) 948-5464
Union County, (908) 654-9845
Warren County, (908) 453-2828
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