FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 24, 2008
County wraps-up annual gasoline pump accuracy testing
215 stations and more than 5,000 pumps checked
The Monmouth County Department of Weights and Measures is inspecting gasoline pumps at all 215 service stations in Monmouth County. Pictured above is Assistant Superintendent James Heath, who is checking the inner workings of one pump to make sure it has not been tampered with.
FREEHOLD – Because gasoline prices have hit record highs many motorists may feel like they’re getting gouged every time they fill up. But an annual inspection for accurate measurement at all gasoline pumps in Monmouth County has turned up very few violations.
As required by state law, all fuel dispensers the public has access to must be inspected, tested and sealed each year, which are performed annually by the Monmouth County Department of Weights & Measures. This inspection includes, but is not limited to, testing every pump for accuracy of volume and price. Monmouth County inspectors visited all 215 service stations and inspected 5,000 fuel pumps.
“Thanks to the Department of Weights & Measures, Monmouth County motorists can be assured that when they fill their gasoline tanks they are getting what they pay for,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. “Inspectors check every pump to ensure price is calibrated properly and actual volume being pumped is correct. This is especially important given the record high prices of gasoline.”
Although tested annually, this year’s inspection comes as the average price throughout New Jersey recently topped $4 per gallon for regular gasoline.
“In addition to weighing and measuring devices such as gasoline pumps, scales and oil delivery trucks, the county is responsible for assuring the accuracy of every consumer product sold by weight, measure, count or volume,” said Benjamin Peluso, director of the Department of Weights & Measures. “Every device used in trade and almost every product sold in the marketplace is regulated in one way or another by Weights & Measures. The work we do touches the lives of consumers every day.”
“Most gasoline pumps are accurate,” Peluso said. “While final numbers won’t be available until mid-July, inspections so far have identified five pumps, all at different stations, for delivering less gasoline than the quantity represented on the meter. Two other stations each had a pump closed for failing to maintain the pump in proper working order.”
Additionally, the county participated in the State Attorney General’s office statewide task force that spent three days in late May inspecting gasoline stations. In Monmouth County, eight stations were identified for possible price sign violations. These incidents are under review by the Attorney General’s office. Typically, price sign violations occur when the price on the sign does not match the price on the pump, or if cash-only prices are posted without the price for credit card sales.
Of the $24,000 in fines levied so far this year for all Weights & Measures violations, just $700 resulted from service stations violations that included pumping less gasoline than the quantity represented. The Department collects about $70,000 a year in state-mandated fees. Together with the fines, this money is used to offset the Department’s operating expenses.
Consumers should look for a current, blue Weights & Measures sticker on gasoline pumps that have passed inspection.
The following service stations were recently fined $100 for under pumping gasoline:
- Getty, Monmouth Road, Oakhurst
- Fort Monmouth Exxon, Route 35 and Tinton Avenue, Eatontown
- R.K. Fuel Inc., 519 Route 33, Millstone
- Fortune Gas, 639 Route 9 North, Freehold
- Keyport Marine Basin, West Front Street, Keyport
The following service stations were fined $100 for using a gasoline pump that was not maintained in proper working order:
- Raceway Gas, 454 Route 33 and Route 527, Millstone
- Singin Oil, 248 Broadway, Long Branch
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