FMCSA Colonial Pipeline Emergency Declaration now includes Connecticut
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has amended their emergency declaration issued in response to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown to now include Connecticut. While fuel supply was not an issue in Connecticut as it is in the Southeast, fuel distribution capacity became an issue because of significantly increased consumer demand. The amended emergency declaration…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has amended their emergency declaration issued in response to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown to now include Connecticut. While fuel supply was not an issue in Connecticut as it is in the Southeast, fuel distribution capacity became an issue because of significantly increased consumer demand. The amended emergency declaration will provide for an Hours of Service waiver in order to address that situation.
The amended declaration states, in part, “This Amended Emergency Declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products into the Affected States during the emergency from shortages due to the shutdown, partial shutdown, and/or manual operation of the Colonial pipeline system. Direct assistance terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services not in support of emergency relief efforts related to the shortages of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products due to the shutdown, partial shutdown, and/or manual operation of the Colonial pipeline system in the Affected States, or when the motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin operations in commerce. (49 CFR § 390.23(b)).”
Additionally, “In accordance with 49 CFR § 390.23, this amended declaration is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the end of the emergency (as defined in 49 CFR § 390.5) or until 11:59 P.M. (ET), June 8, 2021, whichever is earlier. FMCSA intends to continually review the status of this Emergency Declaration and may take action to modify or terminate the Emergency Declaration sooner if conditions warrant.”
Be sure to read the entire text of the amended emergency declaration, which can be viewed online.