Seven Shore Gas Stations Among 33 in NJ Readied for Disasters

Seven service stations near evacuation routes in Toms River, Berkeley, Manchester, Freehold, Middletown, Hazlet and Highlands are among 33 approved to keep fuel flowing when disasters hit the Garden State.

The shore businesses, some in convenience-store chains and others independent, stand near Routes 9, 37, 35 and 36. Gas stations in 14 counties are included in the first round of allocations. Twenty-two are already in place on the Turnpike, Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway.

The $7,000,000 grant by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) in its Retail Fuel Station (RFS) program allows qualified filling stations to be outfitted with generators and quick-connects, to minimize the chance of supply-line breakdowns that led to chaos, gas lines and price gouging after Superstorm Sandy.

Information from EDA says that station operators who applied by March 21 were chosen for location near evacuation highways, storage capacity, and several other factors. Twenty eight are designated to install permanent generators and five are directed to install quick-connect apparatus for portable generators.

Qualifying stations offer gasoline and diesel fuel, except in instances in which the only service station within a quarter-mile of an evacuation route vends only gasoline.

State officials are also stocking up on portable generators for emergency use in shelters, hospitals and public safety facilities in addition to service stations.

See the list here.