Dannj

I'm used to pumping my own gas and I know there's some differentiation...I couldn't have told you Diesel pumps gave green handles...but I would know to look for something. Someone who's used to pulling up to a pump and having someone else do the work might not notice.

SaR_foto Loc: Northeast Wisconsin

Diesel nozzels will not fit thru the baffle plate of gasoline only fill tubes since the 70's......though that hasn't always stopped people from dribbling diesel in oh so slowly.

RandiSue Loc: Bend, Oregon

PESFLS has it right in his Jan 3, 2018, 11:19:40 post.
Born here in 1950 this has been debated - for all of my memorable life.
Politicians say self-serve lowers prices, but the fact is at every border crossing (Washington, Idaho, California) gas is more expensive on the other side of the line, where they have “pump your own”.
The new law is to allow people in, or who may be traveling through, rural areas (Eastern Oregon) to be able to get fuel after the station has closed.
However, if non-Oregonians want to come, have their gas pumped for less - you are always free to tip the attendants with your savings.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Absolutely. And gas taxes being different for each of these states had nothing to do with the price difference.

OR: $0.3112

WA: $0.4940

ID: $0.3300

CA: $0.3813.

Nope, gas is cheaper in Oregon because they don't have self-serve.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

I remember the broken full on latches on the nozzles so I always carried a Chap-Stick in my pocket to stick under the handle so I didn't have to hold onto it.

RandiSue Loc: Bend, Oregon

Maybe you are suggesting identifying the words “gasoline” and “diesel” (pictographs, in case the applicant doesn’t actually know how to read) should be added to the Oregon Drivers License Written Test?
I think most Oregonians are smart enough to know the difference. But if they aren’t smart enough - maybe they should not be granted the privilege of steering 4,000# of steel down the road.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

No updating needed. The pumps are the same. The pumper takes your card and sticks it in.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Most. Some are yellow. So are some gas handles.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

How silly. Move to NJ, I believe they still pump your gas there.

Dannj

There have been a couple replies about handle colors, larger nozzles, etc. but if someone has never encountered these or hardly ever pumped their own gas, how would they know? It might be an easier mistake to make than it appears.

russchristopher

I live in Oregon. So far there has been no change at our local gas stations, prices, function, etc. And no change is expected. This law just allows rural counties to have discretion on the issue of who can pump gas. No big deal for a state that changes slowly and values its history and environment. However, Oregon did have the biggest influx of new residents of all US states in 2017. So, change is likely just around the corner.

Vienna74 Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama

I was born and raised in Oregon and never gave it a second thought, until I lived elsewhere. For many years I have thought it strange that Oregon has not allowed self-service. The article in the link above was hilarious and right on. Pumping gas does not require training or expertise. My favorite line: "On the skills spectrum, pumping gas is closer to 'urinating by yourself' than it is to 'properly eating a lobster,' or 'building a model rocket.' It’s just not that big a deal." Amen.

The part of this that is still weird is the new law only applies to counties with less than 40,000 people. That means 16 or 17 counties out of 36. I guess people living in Portland, Salem and Eugene (my home town) lack the rural skills necessary to handle something as inherently dangerous as pumping gas. What is the death rate at these self-service danger zones in those wild and crazy 48 states anyway?

By the way, comparing the price of gas in Oregon to other states in risky without subtracting out the state tax portion of the pump price. Washington charges one of the highest taxes in the country, and that tax overwhelms any savings from self-service.

However, I am a little surprised at the cries I am reading about from Oregonians. While I am confident they represent a shrill minority, they need some reassurance. Everyone manages just fine in 48 other states and many or perhaps most foreign countries. Even in Western Europe, that great bastion of government over-regulation, they allow their people to pump their own gas. California, a state with a devotion to big government (there is a Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation), has self-service gas. And they don't drive around smelling like gas. Urine, maybe, but not gas.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

That's fine and dandy, and I'm sure if enough folks share your view stations would provide that service. Let the free market decide, not some state law that forces everyone to their will.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Yes, and if they did that they’d likely find at least some stations testing the market for full service islands at a premium price. I’m doubtful that will last long as it went away where the market was allowed to function.

It would be interesting to see if the libs happy to force this jobs program on others are willing to finance it with their own money.

btbg

It is funny, but what people don't realize is that there are two Oregon's.

In the last presidential election seven counties voted for Clinton and 29 counties voted for Trump. The trouble is those seven counties have more voters than the other counties do. The pumping gas stuff is the same thing. The eastern, southern, and a few coastal counties are all good with pumping our own gas, and in some cases already have exceptions that allow it.

The rest of the state unfortunately is filled with people who want to be served all the time and don't want to do any work of their own. They want big government and massive regulations.
The rest of us don't.

It's funny, but it's also pathetic.