State task force finds minor violations at area gas stations
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

Despite gas stations across the state being cited for alleged violations, several area locations received citations only for minor violations.

A task force was commissioned by N.J. Attorney General Anne Milgram and Consumer Affairs Director David Szuchman to check for pricing discrepancies, inaccurate octane ratings, and inaccurate or outof tolerance equipment.

The information was released last week, based on a statewide Gasoline Service Station Task Force study conducted between May 28 and 30.

In North Brunswick, the Exxon at 2561 Route 1 south received one violation for not having registration available. The K.W. Rastall Oil Co. located at 2600 Route 130 north, received a violation for not having the fuel brand posted.

Several other Middlesex County stations received citations for minor violations:

• East Brunswick, the Shell station at 1010 Route 18 north and the Pittstop Express at 332 Route 18;

• Edison, the Nixon Service Center at 2042 Route 27 and the Petro Star station at 1709 Oak Tree Road;

• Milltown, the Hess station at South Main Street and Washington Avenue;

• Old Bridge, the EXCELL station at 957 Englishtown Road; and

• Sayreville, the Sayreville Tire station at 350 Main Street.

None of these violations was for price gouging, according to the document.

"Consumers deserve to get what they pay for, especially when they are paying record-setting prices for gasoline," 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."

Of the 1,023 gas stations that were inspected by county and state Weights and Measures personnel, 350 total violations were handed out, according to a press release.

Dealers who violate per-gallon pricing requirements 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, according to the release.

"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," Szuchman said.

Consumers can contact their local Weights and Measures Office by county. For more information, visit www.nj.gov and click on the Division of Consumer Affairs link.