Fuel Supply Shortages Led To Emergency Declarations

By Gordon Hopkins Fuel shortages in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa are resulting in long lines at some gas stations and unavailability at others. In response, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have authorized an extension of the waiver of certain regulations for fuel transportation. Those regulations include the maximum driving times for truckers hauling fuel, including gasoline or gasoline blends, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol, propane, and biodiesel into or within Nebraska.On May 2 of this year, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed executive order 25-11, waiving federal hours of service requirements. The order temporarily allows drivers to work extended hours to haul gasoline or gasoline blends, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol, propane, and biodiesel into or within Nebraska. The order was set to expire on May 15, 2025. This federal emergency declaration extends that order until June 30 or until the end of the emergency. Governors in Iowa and Kansas issued similar orders. They have also been extended. According to the text of the declaration, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas are temporarily exempt from these regulations due to their status as important agricultural states, “This declaration is in response to the widespread fuel shortages in affected states impacting agricultural operations and the national food supply, and their effects on people and property, including immediate threats to human life, public safety, or public welfare. This declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate interstate transportation of motor fuels, including diesel, gasoline, and gasoline and biodiesel blends, and provides necessary relief.” Governor Pillen said, “The ability to get fuel where it is needed, when it is needed, especially in the face of shortages, is of utmost importance. We must have the backs of those haulers who are trying to meet those demands. The Biden Administration failed to provide this relief at the regional level. This time, leaders are rightly thinking of how best to make things better for impacted states.”According to the declaration, the fuel shortage is, “resulting from unexpected increased demand for the spring planting season coupled with refinery conversion to summer blends, pipeline maintenance in key supply corridors, and outages at terminals.

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