Self-Service Gas in NJ Possible

New Jersey is one of only 2 states in the country that doesn't allow motorists to pump their own gas. But budget woes in the Garden State may lead to finally allowing self-service there. New Jersey has one of the lowest gas taxes in the U.S. –14.5 cents a gallon. So there's talk in Trenton of hiking that as a way to raise revenue for the financially strapped state. Higher prices would send stations scrambling for ways to keep the cost of gas down, and pumping your own could be one way to do that.

It's the current law in New Jersey: An attendant must pump your gas –you're not supposed to. But if the price of gas goes up because of an increase in the fuel tax, that may pave the way to self-service as retailers try to find ways to keep gas prices in check. Jim Benton/New Jersey Petroleum Council: "The benefits of self service include speed of service, it includes cost savings."

Many smaller stations are opposed to self-service. The owner of Broad Street Getty in Trenton says it'll be costly to convert the pumps – and there's a safety issue.

Don DiBenedetto/station owner: "Worried about it's going to cost me more money in equipment because people are going to rip hoses off the pumps, that's the biggest problem."

The idea of pumping your own gas gets mixed reviews from motorists. Some are all for it, others cant imagine getting out of the car to "fill 'er up."

Linda Peoples/Hamilton Twp., NJ: "It's so nice to just come in, ask people to fill up the tank they do it for you and you're out of here."

Mike Keane/ Hamilton Twp., NJ: "Most people in New Jersey are used to getting their gas pumped, not getting out of the car in the bad weather." Willie Bell/Trenton, NJ: "I always have when I go down south. It's fun to me. Like I said, I have no problem with it. It'd be great." Johanna Gonzalez/Trenton, NJ: "All the tanks are full and you have to sit in your car and wait. It's a hassle. You know you want to get up and go. "

Gov. McGreevey Wednesday downplayed the idea of raising the gas tax – but the push to allow self-service will continue regardless. A lawmaker from northern New Jersey plans to introduce a bill shortly to repeal the ban on self-serve gas – something he's been trying to do for years.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP