The Space Age filling station at Geary and Grand Prairie on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
On Wednesday I happened to pass Albany’s newest gas station on the same day the legislature voted to authorize motorists to pump their own gas if that’s what they want.
The station at the corner of Geary Street and Grand Prairie Road is an outlet of Space Age Fuel, an independent marketer of petroleum products with 21 other stations in Oregon.
It’s the first filling station in that part of town. I’ve written about it before, first when the site plan was reviewed by the city and then again when construction was nearly finished this spring.
When I stopped there on a bike ride Wednesday, the attendant told me the station had been open for one week. Regular gas sold for just a hair under $4 a gallon. (A “hair” being one-tenth of a penny.)
In Salem meanwhile, the state Senate passed Albany Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis’s bill to end Oregon’s ban on self service at gasoline stations, a ban that dates from 1951.
The House had passed the bill, HB 2426, on March 20 by a vote of 47-10.
In the Senate Wednesday, the vote was closer, 16-9. Among the Democrats voting “nay” was Sara Gelser Blouin, whose Senate district covers Albany and Corvallis.
Here’s the Senate’s summary of what the bill does:
Authorizes filling station, service station, garage or other dispensary (filling station) to allow self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids during hours where owner, operator, or employee of filling station is available for dispensing Class 1 flammable liquids. Prohibits filling station from designating more self-service fuel-dispensing devices (gas pumps) than are designated for attended service. Requires that notification signs beposted stating which gas pumps are designated for self-service and which are designated for attended service. Requires at least one person to be able to provide attended service and for price charged to be identical. Stipulates that motorcycle operator may dispense Class 1 flammable liquids into motorcycle regardless of whether the filling station offers self-service fuel dispensing. Authorizes State Fire Marshal to impose civil penalties for violations of provisions of measure. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
When the governor signs the bill, that will leave New Jersey as the only state where self service at gas stations is not allowed. (hh)
Wait, what? Declares emergency? Anybody know what that’s about?
If it’s declared an emergency then it can be implemented immediately, without delay (pending lawsuit I suppose). It’s a procedural move that can be used to bypass the delayed implementation that a law change would normally initiate.
The self-imposed insanity finally ends.
Even CNN laughed at Oregon in a 2022 article.
Public interest my ass….more like nation-wide laughing stock.
Actually it isn’t the first station in this location. James Garage on the corner used have a couple of pumps but at some point in the past the decision was made to do away with that side of the business and focus on vehicle maintenance and repair. That was when I had to start driving a couple of miles to get gas. I’m happy a gas station is back and at a reasonable price. No more driving a couple of miles just to fill up.
What is the projected loss of jobs? After moving to Oregon 17 years ago, I thought it was odd. But changed my mind pretty quickly. Because I realized I no longer witnessed people of all ages struggle with hoses, taking too long and spilling fuel etc.
Plus I love staying in my car warm and dry from Oregon’s winter weather.
I agree & not all stations operate the same which can also be a delay. It’s nice not to smell like gasoline.
How stupid!! I’m from Oregon. Moved to Wa. For 12yrs. I never seen any of those problems ”Debra” said!! How dumb. Like were so stupid that we cant use the hose? It still shuts off!! This has to be the dumbest text I’ve seen. It dont ever happened anyway you think!! Geez lady…Go home. I cant believe these xcuses. I cant do it!! Its not hard!! Very easy. You cant put gas in anything your not suppose to. Still stupid why anyone thinks that we cant do something like put gas in your car!✌
I’m not in favor of self- pump. I don’t like having my hands smell like gas.
struggling to figure out the machine in the first place if it works at all. The person who called another person stupid was very rude. Shame on you! Things don’t come easy for everyone.
You still have the option to have them fill your tank.
Wonderful
Hasso, I thought we were striving for decorum in the comments section. If someone wants to disagree with Debra, that’s fine, but “dumb,” “stupid” and “go home” seem to fall a bit short of civil discourse, and I’m surprised you’d allow that kind of mean-spiritedness.
Yes, letting that through was a mistake.
Since “Softtail” no longer resides in this area (or even state) his responses to “local” issues don’t really belong on this site. Let him, and others known to be “outsiders”, find their own local sites and quit wasting our time with their unwanted criticisms.
Softtail says- “… You cant put gas in anything your not suppose to….”
A gasoline nozzle fits a diesel vehicle.
Softail, before you go calling others “stupid”, perhaps learn to spell and write better than a 2nd grader. You don’t come across as very intelligent, I’m surprised you can spell the word “stupid”. By the way, this response you responded to was not a text, hopefully you are aware that not everything is a text or tweet?
Here comes the proof. Does paying for an attendant raise the price of gas?
The real question is, Does removing the attendant lower the price of gas?
What we need is mandatory non-self serve electric charging stations!
I am with Debra – after living in Alaska and freezing while pumping gas coming to Oregon was a wonderful experience. And what about the loss of jobs?
Oregonians have finally displayed the same stupidity as the rest of the nation. In a hurry to make more work for themselves, self-pumping fools who forgot about standing in the rain whilst fuel flows, Oregonians have finally proven themselves daft. There is no glamor in self-serve. There is no secret joy in knowing you’re able to operate a gas pump. There is no self-pumping High Priest to meet you at the Pearly Gates, congratulating you because you could operate a gas pump. You are, however, now “free” to splash petrol on your new outfit. You are now “free,” when paying cash, to make two trips into the station….first to pay in advance and second, to gripe at the cashier when you’ve poured unleaded on your new pantsuit. Yes, Oregonians are now “FREE.”
Nobody pumps gas in the rain as virtually all stations have a canopy. If you’re going to post, get your facts correct.
Growing up in a snowy state where it was miserable to pump your own gas winter and summer. After coming to Oregon pregnant and having a baby it was like heaven someone pumping my gas. It still is. Watch how fast stations get rid of attendants or charge more for an attended pump. I will miss it. We had it good.
It was written into the law that they could not have a price difference for the self serve.
How are they changing this law without a public vote? We Oregonians have voted down self-serve gas several times. Now they are imposing this on us with no public vote?
Wouldn’t it be amazing if many of these posters ACTUALLY READ what you transcribed? Like “…Requires that notification signs beposted stating which gas pumps are designated for self-service and which are designated for attended service. Requires at least one person to be able to provide attended service and for price charged to be identical….”
Reading is hard work. Comprehension is, apparently, much more difficult.
Do not understand the problem. If I read the article correctly equal amounts of self service and service are to be available and the cost is the same. You have the choice to get service or to self service. What is the problem?
I drive to San Antonio at least twice a year and travel out of state at other times. I usually need a stop when I have to gas up and have never had a problem. Traveling alone I’m careful and have pulled out of stops that did not look safe. I especially like Love’s. When I return to Oregon, have to remind myself not to pump my own gas. Although in eastern Oregon nobody seems to care. I can understand if ppl don’t travel out of state and never pump their own. Also I usually need to clean the bugs off my window anyway and hardly anybody does that for you anymore. BTW my hands never smell of gas. Modern pumps are nice. I’m a 74 year old female and very able.