NJ senate pass bills to prevent gas crisis

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Senate has approved two bills that could help prevent another gas crisis like the one that followed Superstorm Sandy.

One of the measures approved Monday would waive a license requirement for fuel distributors who deliver from out-of-state. The other would allow gas stations to cut the price of premium fuel if they run out of lower-octane gas.

Both bills would take effect only if the governor declares an energy emergency.

The bill’s sponsors say the measures are necessary to ease stress on motorists during a fuel crisis. Fuel delivery issues and power outages after Superstorm Sandy left motorists waiting on miles-long lines at gas stations that were open.

The bills now go to the Assembly.