FMCSA Extends Hours-of-Service Exemptions During Fuel Shortages

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Oct. 22 issued a final rule allowing states to extend hours-of- service exemptions up to 90 days in times of acute fuel shortages.

The rule was issued in response to legislation signed into law by President Obama in June after the nation experienced severe shortages of propane last winter.

The rule provides for the extension if the governor of an affected state determines that a second or third 30-day period must be allowed to enable motor carriers to provide residential heating fuel expeditiously.

U.S. propane haulers were greatly stressed by last year’s harsh winter that brought shortages of the fuel, spikes in prices and a “historic transformation” in transporting propane, experts told a congressional panel in March.