Governor extends limited emergency to ensure timely fuel deliveries

    AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed a second limited emergency proclamation that will allow Maine fuel transport and delivery trucks to drive additional hours to ensure timely  deliveries.

    Normally, fuel truck drivers cannot work more than 60 hours per week according to federal law. But states may grant a waiver in case of emergency situations. The latest declaration will be in effect through Jan. 14.
    On Dec. 13, LePage issued the same proclamation to ensure fuel deliveries to Maine homes through the end of the last month. However, the governor stated in a press release that the “recent ice and snow storms have hampered efforts for oil delivery trucks to deliver fuel, which is one reason this declaration is being extended. The declaration allows heating fuel to be delivered to Maine families when they need it most.”
    Propane has also been in short supply, and the situation is expected to worsen as demand increases due to cold weather. The supply from Canada has been impacted because the Northern Rail Route is closed due to the tragic accident at Lac Megantic. Additionally, a train carrying crude oil in North Dakota that collided with another train on Dec. 31 may impact the supply.
    Propane has been sent to dry crops in the west because of wet weather, which means fewer trucks are available from other parts of the country. Because of these factors, propane inventories are 25 percent lower than normal in Maine, and fewer outside haulers are available to come to Maine.
    More than home heating fuels are impacted: fuels used in manufacturing, business heating, fork lift and other vehicle operations are also affected.