Chester, June 13, 2011: Don Longo, Inc. today announced that Don Longo was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognized for his ongoing commitment and service to the Petroleum Equipment Contractors Association of New Jersey, the Association presented Mr. Longo the award on Wednesday, June 8th in Somerset at their regular dinner meeting which also included the installation of new Officers for the next term.

Upon receiving this honor, Mr. Longo graciously thanked the many fellow members who, while competitors in the same Petroleum Contractors’ Industry, have assisted each other and worked together as an organization. He also verbally acknowledged his many mentors for their time, patience and willingness to advise him in his early years as a contractor. Some of the PECA of NJ initiatives that Mr. Longo chaired, championed and/or supported over the years included furthering public awareness for industry standards and supporting sound environmental legislation. Additionally, Mr. Longo worked as a supportive member to the PECA of NJ, which assisted the NJ DEP with formulating State environmental legislation standards regarding care, maintenance and servicing of petroleum related underground storage tanks for gasoline, diesel and non-regulated home heating oil tanks in the 1990’s.

Established in 1955, the PECA of NJ is the oldest contractors’ organization of its kind in the US, marking its 56th anniversary this year. Mr. Longo has been an active contributing member since 1964, holding various Executive Board positions over the years, including past President, Treasurer and Secretary, and is currently on the Audit Committee.

Proper labeling of E15 gasoline at the pumps was lauded by the White House as a means of clarifying to motorists when they are about to dispense gasoline containing a higher rate of ethanol. Hailed by farmers and ethanol industry insiders who lobbied heavily to raise the amount of ethanol in gasoline motor fuel from 10 percent to 15 percent – this new fuel formulation had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) five months earlier, according to Reuters.

The impact of this new gasoline formulation is far reaching: dubbed E15, it is a major concern for gasoline retailers and petroleum marketers since it will require all new dispensing equipment, underground storage tanks and piping that will be compatible. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) will not recertify existing equipment.

Additionally, E15 is not approved to be used in vehicles built before 2001. Older lawnmowers, chainsaws, snowblowers, weed wackers, boats and other small engine devices will also be affected.   Motorsport and motorcross teams as well as vintage car owners:   be forewarned!

Another concern is liability: when a motorist in a self-serve state pumps the wrong fuel into their vehicle, who is responsible for damages?

We’ll continue this discussion as events unfold, and you can read the entire article here:

http://www.csnews.com/top-story-e15_gas_pump_labels_get_white_house_ok-58883.html

We invite you to leave your thoughts, comments, concerns?  How will this effect your service station and how can we help keep things clearly identified to the motoring public?