The governor declares that the shortage could endanger public health, safety and welfare.© Michael Loccisano, Getty ImagesPeople wait for hours with gas canisters at a Gulf gas station Thursday in Manalapan, NJ.
For many in New Jersey in search of gasoline, the mantra has become sit, wait and hope.
Beginning noon Saturday, that exercise in patience will become even more confounding and complicated. Gov. Chris Christie late Friday
ordered gas rationing in 12 counties, declaring that the current shortage could endanger public health, safety and welfare.
The affected counties are Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
Motorists in these counties whose license plates end in even numbers can fill up only on even-numbered days. Odd-numbered plates -- which includes those not ending in number -- can fill up only on odd days.
The "state of energy emergency" order states that stations "will be required to only sell motor fuel for use in a passenger automobile bearing license plates." That indicates dealers could refuse to sell to pedestrians seeking to fill containers.
Christie and Attorney General Jeff Chiesa pledged to "aggressively and vigorously enforce" the order, and the governor warned that violators "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent permitted."