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February 24, 2012 APPRAISAL SERVICE MEET THE FOLKS AT LIBERTY GAS MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM BELLOMO FUELS POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC Renewable Fuels Conference First let me apologize for all of the typos in last week's Road Warrior. I was editing well past midnight and falling asleep in the process. This week’s message is going to be rather short (well – short for me anyway) since I’m writing this from Orlando. As I stated in last week’s message, I’m in Florida attending a renewable fuels conference, and soon after I get back, I’m off to Washington for an energy independence summit. I’ll report back to you on both in a future installment of the Road Warrior, but if there’s one thing this trip has reinforced thus far it’s that I STILL HATE TO TRAVEL and flying is still my LEAST favorite thing to do. Nevertheless, my issues with travelling aside, I’m glad that I’ve made this trip – especially as the price of fuel continues to rise. As I stated last week, the world energy markets are in turmoil as the economy responds to the chaos swirling around places like Iran. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to find us neck deep in a bigger mess this time next month. This situation only reinforces what we discussed in last week’s message: When the crunch is on (and it certainly is on right now), the talk of the town will be alternatives and everyone hits the PANIC BUTTON. When the prices decline, we hit the SNOOZE BUTTON. I’m not going to allow that to happen to our members or let the policy makers out there off the hook. While the focus is certainly on these issues right now, we all know that as soon as gas prices begin to drop again, all that momentum will cease. It’s partially due to this kind of prevailing attitude, both in the media and the greater public, that NJGCA is hoping to co-host two workshops with the Clean Cities Coalition in May and June. Our goal is to not only further educate you on these topics (or initiate you, if you haven’t been reading anything I’ve ranted about over the last few years) but help you find viable ways to incorporate these technologies at your station. As I’ve stated before, the most immediate form of relief for motorists and your establishment will come from compressed natural gas (CNG). Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is abundant, affordable, and clean-burning. There are plenty of company fleets that utilize this resource today and you should be too! What’s more, CNG is more profitable, which ultimately helps elevate your bottom line. Then of course there are other alternatives such as biofuels, electricity, hydrogen and others that we’ve spoken about in the past as well. I’m taking much of this into account as I set up meetings and sit in on seminars to explore ways to secure your businesses’ future. What’s more, alternative energies aren’t just about serving the need of your customers – it’s also about serving your bottom line and improving your operating costs. I’ve had meetings on ways to save energy at your station by improving the lighting you use. We already have a program in place to illuminate your location at half of your current costs...and do a better job illuminating your property! And, we also have a program that helps you switch electrical suppliers. Many members have written me to tell me how much money they are saving (call Debbie or Phil for details). I am working on a program help you install solar panels at your home and business! Yes, it may seem like we’re covering old territory here, but events and technology are ever-changing in this game. Are you keeping up? As I continually remind you: We aren’t in the gasoline business – we’re in the transpiration energy business. As world-wide energy demand rises and volatility only gets worse, you and your customers will need to shield yourselves from their affects. So no hitting the snooze button! Of course, just because I’m in Florida attending this conference doesn’t mean that events just stand still when I’m not in the office. Thankfully your NJGCA Staffers are just as committed as I am to defending our members. In fact, in my absence this week, our Communications Director, Nick De Palma, did an interview with NBC-NY News to speak on the record regarding private-branded gasoline and the stations that sell non-branded fuel. Reporter Pat Battle was inquiring if non-branded gasoline was just as ‘good’ as the fuel from national brands. We will make the video available for you to view shortly, so be on the lookout! Lastly this week I want to tell you about the G.I. Go Fund, a New Jersey-based, nonprofit organization that helps our military veterans find employment after their service to our country is over. The organization is also helping veterans retrain for the twenty-first century economy and assisting our low-income and homeless vets. The Fund has general offices in New Brunswick, as well as a Veterans Transition Center in Newark. Veterans are selfless, honorable individuals who have volunteered their talents and their lives in service to our country. No one can fully repay the sacrifices, but we can try! If you or someone you know is looking to hire an employee, I encourage you to consider hiring one of our military veterans. What’s more, I ask you to support the G.I. Go Fund and their mission. This is an outstanding organization and one that deserves your attention. You can get involved by clicking HERE or just visit their website at www.gigofund.org to learn more about their good works. The Policy Patrol: On The Radar Screen this week, I thought we should keep with the theme of high gas prices. That’s why I’m highlighting A-2718, a bill from Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex). This proposal would increase the state’s gas tax by eight cents a year for 3 years, and then automatically increase it every year according to inflation. That automatic increase is important because it means the Legislature would never have to work up the courage to raise the gas tax again. In theory, there are reasonable arguments for why the gas tax should be raised. The New Jersey gas tax is one of the lowest in the nation and has not been changed since 1988. With gas prices as high as they are now and with the near certainty that they will continue their march upwards over the course of the year, it’s hard to imagine how anyone would push for an increase in the gas tax, particularly such a large one. Within 3 years, this bill would make the gas tax 24 cents higher than it currently is. While this bill has only one sponsor, I do know that are many members of the Legislature, including some very powerful ones, who would like to see some kind of gas tax increase in the next few years. We will continue to monitor any developments with this issue. This week we’re pulling A-1751 from The Manure Pile. This bill is named the “Geologist Licensing Act.” As if government doesn’t stick its nose in enough aspects of our society, this 8 page bill sets up a 9 member board specifically to license geologists in the state. And, yes geologist isn’t code for something else, they really do want to license and regulate the people who study rocks for science. I have no idea whatsoever why anyone would feel that this a problem that needs to be addressed, but apparently two members of the brain trust we have representing us in Trenton think it’s a concern worth addressing. Thanks for listening – See you next week. Regards,
NEWS AROUND THE STATE 2/23/2012: 2/23/2012: 2/16/2012: 2/11/2012: TRAINING CLASSES!! PLEASE NOTE: FUTURE DATES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 973-376-0066 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!!
MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE TMP Energy Solutions We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it’s difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an “accurate” analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available. This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum KW demand is acquired. By pooling the member’s usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate. Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group. Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision. If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require12 months of your most recent utility bills. There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #’s, meter #’s service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem. The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate. If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Phil Apruzzi at the NJGCA. Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket. We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs. Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund. Contact Phil Apruzzi at 973-376-0066 or email Phil at phil@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest.
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members. We defeated BELOW COST SELLING We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law! We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes ...and MUCH MORE!! In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature! If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies. PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO: I understand that times are tough for all NJGCA members, but this is just as important as any battle we have fought in the past. We have made great progress in Trenton. I hope that you will answer the call. THE MEMBER TOOL BOX |
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