Hours of Service Updates, Winter Weather Logistics and Winter Storm Blair

Severe winter storms, extreme low temperatures, and high fuel demand endure nationwide and the propane industry has stepped up and answer the call.

State and regional propane associations have been fighting for state waivers and emergency declarations.  NPGA, for its part, has been working hard to secure a much broader waiver.  And in a major win for the propane industry, last Friday, January 10, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a 21-day Regional Emergency Declaration conferring hours of service relief to the entire continental United States in response to the severe winter weather.

The declaration came after multiple meetings with FMCSA executive leadership and constant communication with FMCSA officials sharing the extraordinary efforts of the propane industry to safely meet the needs of our consumers as well as round-the-clock coordination with the PS&L Committee, wholesalers, suppliers, transporters, marketers, railroads, pipelines, allied organizations, and state and regional executives. NPGA thanks our hardworking membership and those leaders for the invaluable input and information that we gathered and were able to share with federal officials in advocating that they issue this declaration, including over 50 reports to PLAN. NPGA encourages members to continue to share that information with us, including reporting terminal wait times via PLAN, available online at https://plan.npga.org.

Safety was – as it always is – at the forefront of our communication and advocacy. This declaration is monumental for safety: the safety of all households who need propane to heat their homes in what will be an extended stretch of bone-chilling weather across the country and the safety of the industry’s drivers who can ensure they traverse icy roads with the utmost care.

Numerous states have issued Hours of Service Waivers. NPGA posts applicable Hours of Service Waivers, Emergency Waivers, and State of Emergency Declarations on our website, here.

However, challenges remain. The Mid-America Pipeline Company (MAPL) remains on allocation. The allocation policy began Thursday, January 09, 2025, and was extended to the Northern West Leg which will be implementing propane allocation for the month of January 2025, beginning on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 7:00AM.

Fortunately, supply remains strong, with the EIA reporting that total U.S. propane/propylene inventories had a withdrawal of 4.74 MMbbl for the week ending January 10, which was above expectations for a decrease of 3.2 MMbbl and above the average draw for the week of 3.5 MMbbl. Storage levels were 2% above the same period last year.

Please contact NPGA’s Senior Manager of State Association Relations, Eric Sears or NPGA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Gaziano with questions or concerns.