Odd/even gas rationing has been and still is in place  by Governor Chris Chrisite in 12 counties in New Jersey, including Passaic County.

According to the Borough of Hawthorne’s website, this means that on even-number days, drivers with license plate numbers that end with an even number are the only drivers who can buy gas.  On odd-number dates, only drivers of cars with license plates that end with an odd last number can buy gas.

This gas rationing is due to the gas shortage many of the hardest-hit counties are facing following Hurricane Sandy. However, the term “gas shortage” is deceiving. According to CBSNews.com, one of the main reasons that it was so difficult to obtain gas was the power outages in many gas stations caused by the storm. Because so many stations were without power, people were forced to overcrowd the few stations that did have power. Additionally, even stations with electricity were unable to refuel their stations due to damaged roads that prevented gas trucks from reaching their destinations.

To cope with the problem of lack of gas and overcrowding, some gas stations resorted to various methods of conserving gasoline. According to CNN.com, some stations decided to serve only emergency vehicles or customers with gas cans. Other stations imposed a limit to how much gasoline could be purchased.

The Borough of Hawthorne recommends that its residents conserve gasoline in order to minimize trips to the gas station.