Posted on: 16/06/2009 

Independent gasoline dealers last week sealed a victory over oil companies when state Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law a bill that allows them the first right of refusal to buy the gas stations they franchise. Both houses of the Legislature had passed the bill three weeks ago.

A move by ExxonMobil last June to consolidate its retail franchises in the state under one or more distributors triggered a protest from dealers of about 200 stations who organized themselves as United Dealers of New Jersey, under the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store and Automotive Association in Springfield.