The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on December 23 issued or extended three regional emergencies that cover 20 states with available waivers from the Hours of Service regulations for carriers hauling certain goods.
FMCSA extended a Regional Emergency Declaration originally issued on December 12 to grant relief from certain regulatory requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The Extension of Emergency Declaration includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Drivers hauling heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil, can get HOS waivers under the order.
The HOS waivers respond to winter storms and cold weather in those states, as well as a power outage at a major gas refinery and industrial complex in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania "severely disrupting the flow of propane and the current and anticipated effects on people and property, including the immediate risk to public health, safety and welfare," FMCSA wrote.
Motor carriers and truck drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency in the affected states are granted emergency relief from 49 Code of Federal Regulations 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles, until the end of the emergency or January 15, 2026, whichever is earlier.
FMCSA extended on the same day an HOS waiver related to an emergency declaration in Washington state.
The Washington Extension of Emergency Declaration provides "regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts related to the weather and flooding emergency in the State of Washington," regardless of the truck's origin, FMCSA wrote.
Carriers providing direct assistance "are granted emergency relief from 49 CFR § 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles," FMCSA wrote.
That declaration lasts until the end of the emergency or January 23, 2026, whichever is earlier.
Finally, on the same day, FMCSA also declared a regional emergency and HOS waivers in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
That regional emergency responds "to winter storms and colder than normal weather" as well as a pipeline break associated with the Mid-American Pipeline System, and an unexpected shutdown of the Robinson Refinery in Illinois.
Fuel haulers with heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil can get relief from 49 CFR § 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles. It lasts until the end of the emergency or January 15, 2026, whichever is earlier.
