US state Oregon lifts ban on self-service of fuel at gas stations

The old law was in place in Oregon for reasons ranging from flammable liquid safety to preserving the jobs of gas station attendants.

Oregon has lifted a ban on self-service dating back to 1951 which prohibited customers from pumping their own fuel at gas stations in the state. The new law, House Bill 2426, was signed on Friday by Governor of Oregon Tina Kotek and it became effective immediately.

Representational Picture (Bloomberg)

The full service will not be phased out completely in Oregon’s 16 most populous counties. As per the new law, no more than half of pumps at any service station be self-serve. And at least one staff must be available at the gas station in those communities at all times to pump gas. Gas stations cannot charge more for full service.

The old law was in place in Oregon for reasons ranging from flammable liquid safety to preserving the jobs of gas station attendants. After the new law has come into effect, the state government has come under criticism too especially for undermining the interest of workers.

Dan Clay, president of UFCW Local 555, the union that represents grocery store workers in Oregon spoke on the matter.

“This bill is clear favoritism for big oil companies over the interests of workers,” said Clay as quoted by CNN.

According to a report by CNN, there have been mixed reactions to the lifting of the ban. A driver named Steven Brown talked to CNN affiliate KATU and said: “Not so interested in self-serve because I’m old. I mean, it’s actually a job to get out and pump your own gas.

“It being busy and having to wait on the gas station attendants was sometimes really annoying. So, having it as an option is sweet,” California native Erik Atienza told KATU at a service station in Portland.

Interestingly, New Jersey is now the only state in the United States where service station customers can’t pump their own fuel.