Lawmakers are encouraging Sunoco to revise or delay the closing of its oil distribution center, located on Tuscarora Park Road, just off Taggartsville Road in Tamaqua.

State Sen. David Argall, R-29, and Reps. Doyle Heffley R-122; Jerry Knowles R-124; Mike Tobash, R-125; and Neal Goodman D-123, met with officials recently to contend the situation. They also sent a letter to Sunoco asking it to reconsider.Sixty fuel oil providers, from Tamaqua, McAdoo, Hazleton, West Hazleton, Drums, Beaver Meadows, Nesquehoning, Mahanoy City, Hazle Township, Weatherly, Barnesville, Coaldale, Weston, Summit Hill and Jim Thorpe, binded their names to the letter. Kline Township supervisors mentioned this during the closing of March's board meeting and brought it up again during Monday's meeting.They pointed out that the letter asks Sunoco to reconsider closing the terminal on Taggartsville Road or to prolong the closure date, set for June 1, to allow dealers a chance to procure replacement sources for home heating oil.Some larger fuel oil dealers have storage tanks to keep deliveries going without interruption, while a majority of smaller distributors will be affected more by the closing.In the letter, lawmakers stressed the negative impact the terminal's closing will have on local fuel oil companies. Adding that the closing will force local dealers to travel greater distances. Depending on the distance and time, it could eventually force providers to pass on their higher costs to their customers. The letter also points out that the closure of the center would also possibly cause fuel supply shortages in the future.The closest heating oil terminals are located in Macungie, Kingston and Northumberland County.Kline Township supervisors hope the letter will help prevent the closure.Thomas Golumbeski, a spokesman for Sunoco, stated, "Last month, that the facility has become too small and doesn't have the capabilities to blend biodiesel fuel."