January 26, 2009
Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt that would require three primary State departments to collectively formulate a plan to increase the fuel efficiency of the State motor vehicle fleet to achieve measurable reductions in fuel usage was approved today by the Assembly State Government Committee.
Under the measure, A-2976, the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), would first work jointly to assess and calculate the miles per gallon average for the State motor vehicle fleet, including all diesel and gasoline vehicles. Vehicles used for emergency management purposes would be exempted.
“Regardless of whether fuel prices are spiking at record levels or are stabilized, the state should be working toward improving fuel efficiency within the State fleet, ” said Assemblyman Rumpf, the ranking Republican member of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. “As revenues continue to decline in this deepening recession, our legislation presents an opportunity to achieve long-term savings in state expenditures to help establish a more cost effective government. To protect scarce resources and limit the impact in terms of tax dollars, New Jersey needs to be better prepared by having a plan already in place for the next time when fuel prices are driven up for whatever reason.”
The Connors-Rumpf-Van Pelt initiative calls for the timetable of the plan’s completion to be within 120 days after the enactment of their bill into law, at which time the plan would be presented to the Legislature and Governor. The provisions of the legislation would apply to an estimated 10,000 state vehicles.
“When prices skyrocketed to previously unseen levels, there was a dramatic reduction in the use of fuel by individual motorists to cut costs out of financial necessity, ” said Assemblyman Van Pelt, a member of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. “Due to the critical services provided by much of the State fleet, this was simply not an option. Therefore, identifying and implementing policies to enhance the fuel efficiency of these vehicles would be the most viable means so that services performed with these vehicles can continue only at a lesser cost to taxpayers.”
Senator Connors, who is sponsoring the Senate companion bill, went on to add, “The dramatic spike in fuel prices which sent gas prices near or above $4 per gallon was a wakeup call for motorists, businesses and government on exactly how volatile the market can be and the immediate impact it can have on the economy. When fuel prices jump to unexpected levels, residents not only pay higher prices at the pump but also see a greater percentage of their tax dollars used to operate the State fleet. Re-engineering our state government to be more cost effective will require ingenuity and utilizing available technology, just as businesses are compelled to do.”
The Delegation’s Senate companion measure, S-2117, is still awaiting action in the Senate Transportation Committee.
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