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January 28, 2021
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 Inside this issue
  Executive Directors Message  
 
 
BIDEN SIGNS ENVIRONMENTAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS
REMINDER: PPP FULLY REOPENED
VACCINE TOOLKIT FOR ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES

 
Last week, we mentioned that as his first order of business President Biden would be signing several Executive Orders that would prioritize environmental efforts, signaling that he intends on making this a priority in his administration. A week into his presidency, we can confirm some notable environmental actions have already been taken: 
  1. Cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline: The Keystone XL pipeline would have carried oil down from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2011, climate scientists found high levels of carbon in the Canadian tar, making this project potentially dangerous if exploited to the levels intended. Obama had later paused its development, though in his first days in office, former President Trump revived the project. President Biden has officially cancelled the pipeline again, which will have an effect on future supplies and the abundance of crude oil we have become accustomed to over the years. Abundance of the product affects also price based on supply and demand.
  2. United States Reenters Paris Climate Agreement: By reentering the international agreement made in 2015, the United States is effectively recommitting to reducing global emissions. Biden has made several promises that he hopes will bring the country back up to speed with the rest of the world which has made greater efforts to address climate change that have remained in the agreement. One noticeable commitment made this week by President Biden is to replace all government vehicles with electric vehicles. It could cost the U.S. $20 billion or more to replace the fleet, which further shows Biden's dedication to moving the country forward in its clean energy goals despite cost concerns. He has also ordered federal agencies to only purchase pollution-free electricity and has paused entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore. 
We continue to bring you news regarding climate change and environmental efforts as this is where the market is heading in almost all aspects of our lives, and will surely affect our industries in a major way. We recently hosted two webinars with Chargepoint on electric vehicle charging, and we are planning another webinar (to be announced) with FreeWire, a new MBP, in the coming weeks. It is important you stay engaged in this topic by reading our Road Warrior and On the Road newsletters, and I encourage you to sign up for the webinar when we email the invitation.
 
PPP REOPENED
I want to remind you that by now, the second round of PPP is now fully open. If you missed our message last week, starting Tuesday, January 19th, SBA began accepting applications for 1st and 2nd PPP loans from all approved lenders.
  • To receive a second PPP forgivable loan you must have suffered a 25% decline in gross revenue in any quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019. The amount of the loan is still your average monthly payroll multiplied by 2.5. The money can only be spent on certain approved expenses--including payroll, rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and a few other expenses which have been newly added such as PPE costs. If 60% of the money is spent on payroll then the entire loan will be eligible for forgiveness. You will now have 24 weeks to spend the money (it was 8 weeks under the original rules).
  • Applications for a PPP loan will end on March 31st or when the federal money runs out. We encourage you to reach out to your preferred lender now and to get your information together so you can be first in line.
VACCINE TOOLKIT
The CDC recently uploaded an Essential Employee toolkit that business owners can use to help educate their employees about the COVID-19 vaccine. Employers can disseminate these materials in order to help their employees learn about the vaccine and make an informed decision regarding obtaining it. It includes FAQ's, posters, letter templates that can be used and other important information that you may find useful.
 
Be Well -  
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

 

 
 

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  Training Class Schedule  
 

All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753

Two-Day Emissions Inspector Training Class

February 11th & 12th, 2021

If you, a colleague, or an employee technician wishes to become a NJ Emissions Inspector, now is your chance! NJGCA will offer an upcoming two-day classes with all the information and training you need to become a NJ Emissions Inspector.
 
On day one you will receive in-class instruction from NJGCA's instructor. We will break for lunch (provided), and the State will administer the written test in the afternoon.
 
On day two will go over the hands-on test at an emission inspection location to fully prepare you for the hands-on test.

We are offering the class: 
Thursday February 11th, 7:00am to 4:00pm & Friday, February 12th, 12:30

Email Training@njgca.org if you are interested in signing up

Contact Nick De Palma at Nick@njgca.org to inquire about additional class dates

 

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  News Around The State  
 

1/27/21
NJEDA Announces Second Phase of Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will open pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program at 9 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb.10, 2021. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation. Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register during this pre-registration period, which will run from 9:00 a.m. EST on Feb. 10, 2021 to 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 22, 2021.


1/27/21
Democrats Reintroduce $15 Minimum Wage Bill
Emboldened by their majority in Congress, Democrats yesterday reintroduced legislation in the U.S. House and Senate to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour in gradual steps by 2025, CNBC reports. A $15 minimum wage is part of President Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus relief package. Under the Raise the Wage Act, the federal minimum wage would rise to $9.50 this year from $7.25, then increase every year until it reaches $15 in 2025. Future increases would be tied to median wage growth.
 
1/27/21
Biden To 'Pause' Oil And Gas Leasing On Public Lands And Waters
In an effort to slow the nation's contribution to climate change, President Biden will begin halting oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. The much-anticipated move is one of several executive actions the president is scheduled to make Wednesday to address the worsening climate crisis and the broader decline of the natural world, but it won't come without pushback. According to White House officials, Biden will order the Department of the Interior to "pause" new oil and gas leasing on public land and offshore water "to the extent possible" and to also review existing leasing and permitting practices "related to fossil fuel development" on the properties. 

1/26/21
Flavored Tobacco Ban on Hold in California
California's new law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products has been put on hold after state officials said a petition calling for a referendum qualified for the November 2022 ballot. According to the L.A. Times, that means the law approved last year is in limbo until California voters decide next year whether to approve or repeal it. Last week, the Secretary of State's Office confirmed that it had validated at least 623,312 signatures from registered voters on petitions, the required amount to call for a vote. More than one million signatures were submitted by the California Coalition for Fairness.

1/25/21
Biden Vows To Replace U.S. Government Fleet With Electric Vehicles
President Joe Biden on Monday vowed to replace the U.S. government's fleet of roughly 650,000 vehicles with electric models as the new administration shifts its focus toward clean-energy. "The federal government also owns an enormous fleet of vehicles, which we're going to replace with clean electric vehicles made right here in America made by American workers," Biden said Monday. Biden criticized existing rules that allow vehicles to be considered U.S. made when purchased by the U.S. government even if they have significant non-American made components. Biden said he would close "loopholes" that allow key parts like engines, steel and glass to be manufactured abroad for vehicles considered U.S. made. The White House did not immediately answer questions about over what period Biden planned to replace current vehicles. It could cost the U.S. $20 billion or more to replace the fleet.
 
1/25/21
Educate Employees About COVID-19 Vaccines
As the vaccines against COVID-19 become more available, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published a toolkit to help essential employers inform their workers about vaccines to protect against COVID-19, raise awareness of the vaccines and address common questions and concerns. Designed specifically for employers of essential workers, the toolkit contains a variety of resources that employers can use virtually or in person. There are downloadable posters and flyers to encourage vaccinations, a draft article for a company newsletter or blog, sample social media messages and images, a summary of key messages to use in communications, an educational slide deck about vaccines and a draft letter introducing the materials to employees, among other materials which businesses can customize.

1/22/21
Mass Confusion As N.J. Sends Mass Emails On COVID Vaccine Eligibility
Only about 2% of New Jersey residents eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine have scheduled appointments, state health officials said. And those eligible are likely to face more challenges securing an appointment, as several confused residents told NJ Advance Media the state gave them the OK to get vaccinated even though they fall outside the current eligibility requirements. Those currently eligible for the vaccine are health care workers, first-responders, long-term care residents and staff, those above the age of 65 and residents with medical conditions - including smokers. Yet some residents, who meet none of these requirements, received an email alert Thursday night to schedule their vaccination appointment, they told NJ Advance Media. A spokeswoman with the state Department of Health, Donna Leusner, said emails went out Thursday to about 1,264,684 people who are eligible to get vaccinated. Approximately 2 million people have signed up with the state to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday, Leusner said. Of those who have signed up, more than 1 million have received emails saying they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

 
 

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  Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices  
 
Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.
 
 

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  Classifieds: For Sale and Help Wanted Ads  
 


Parts For Sale: Incon TS-1000 tank monitor works well just taken out of service. Printer is aprox 2 months old. Also, Incon 8, tank probes. System replaced because on an Exxon upgrade. Call John Twin Towers Exxon (201) 224-8444



 

 

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