AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage issues a limited emergency proclamation on Friday to ensure that heating fuel delivery trucks can operate for extra hours in light of frigid temperatures and a propane shortage across Maine.
The governor’s proclamation waives U.S. Department of Transportation rules and extends the hours of service for heating fuel transport and delivery trucks in Maine for two weeks.
“This declaration will allow heating fuel to be delivered to Maine families when they need it most during this frigid weather,” said LePage in a news release. “Keeping homes warm is critical to protect the public health and safety of Mainers.”
The availability of propane, which LePage said is already in short supply because of the closure of the Northern Rail Route in connection with July’s fiery rail disaster in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, is expected to worsen as colder-than-average weather persists. Propane has been sent to the western United States to dry crops, which means fewer trucks are available to bring propane to Maine from other parts of the country. As a result, propane inventories are 25 percent lower than normal in Maine.
LePage said that during the coming weeks he will re-evaluate whether to extend the civil emergency, which will be in place until at least Dec. 27.
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