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NEWARK—
A Newark gas station that shortchanged motorists
buying premium-grade fuel was among the
stations cited for alleged violations of
the state’s Weights and Measures regulations
during unannounced inspections conducted
yesterday and today.
One
pump at the Delta gas station registered
that nearly 5.2 gallons of fuel had been
dispensed when Weights and Measures officers
filled a certified five-gallon container
during a measurement test. A motorist paying
for 26 gallons of premium gas from that
pump would have actually received 25 gallons,
and spent $3.59 for the non-existent gallon
of premium-grade fuel.
“We
can’t control the price of gasoline,
but we can – and we are – making
sure gas pumps are accurate and that the
prices displayed on signs are the actual
prices set on the pumps,” said Thomas
R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the State
Division of Consumer Affairs. “With
the recent spike in gas prices, we want
to ensure that motorists are getting every
drop of fuel that they are paying for.”
Office
of Weights and Measures investigators condemned
the faulty pump, meaning it cannot be used
until it is serviced and then re-inspected.
A second pump at the Delta Station, located
at 615 Route 21 (McCarter Highway) in Newark,
was condemned because of an electrical problem.
Two citations will be issued, for failure
to maintain equipment and equipment out
of tolerance.
Inspectors
found no violations at an Exxon station
on Route 21 in Newark that also was checked
on Monday.
State
Weights and Measures investigators today
conducted an unannounced inspection at a
Citgo station on Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey
City. They tested 34 dispensers, and found
one diesel pump that provided slightly less
fuel than was charged for – a shortage
of 14 cubic inches, or approximately two
cups, per five gallons of fuel. One citation
will be issued.
Gas
pumps in New Jersey are required to be inspected
annually. County Weights and Measures personnel
perform the majority of these inspections,
with some towns also conducting inspections
in addition to the State Office of Weights
and Measures.
Motorists
can look for a Weights and Measures seal
on a fuel pump, and check for the month
and year noted on it, as a visible indicator
that the pump has been inspected.
Consumers
can report suspected problems related to
purchasing gasoline to the State Office
of Weights and Measures by filling out a
complaint form located at www.nj.gov/oag/ca/complaint/ocp.pdf
or by calling the Office at 732-815-4840.
Each county also has a Weights and Measures
Office that may be contacted.
National
Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)
is a coordinated campaign that encourages
consumers nationwide to take full advantage
of their consumer rights and make better-informed
decisions. NCPW 2011 takes place March 6
through 12, 2011.
More
information designed to help consumers protect
themselves is offered free of charge at
the State Division of Consumer Affairs NCPW
website at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
. Information is also available at the official
National Consumer Awareness Week website,
www.NCPW.gov
.
Consumers
who believe they have been cheated or scammed
by a business, or suspect any other form
of consumer abuse, can file a complaint
with the State Division of Consumer Affairs
by visiting its website, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov,
or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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