GOVERNOR'S OFFICE [36 Pa.B. 2169] Proclamation of Disaster Emergency April 21, 2006
Whereas, Gasoline refiners are moving away from using the oxygenate MTBE in the gasoline blend known as Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) and are using instead ethanol as an oxygenate; and
Whereas, ethanol cannot be stored and blended in the same manner as MTBE requiring gasoline terminals to install special storage and blending equipment, which was not required with the use of MTBE; and
Whereas, the timing of this switch over from MTBE to ethanol and the accompanying infrastructure improvements, plus other unforeseen events such as refinery problems, have created a distribution bottleneck at many gasoline terminals in the southeast region of the Commonwealth, causing them to run out of fuel; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth has been contacted by members of the industry expressing the need for greater flexibility in truck driver regulations to accommodate truck drivers in the finding and transporting of fuel in the southeast region of the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, similar events that occurred during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pertaining to fuel shortages or panic purchases caused serious impediments to the safety and welfare of the citizenry.
Now Therefore, Pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 7301(c) of the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S. Section 7101 et seq.), I do hereby proclaim the existence of a disaster emergency in affected areas of the southeast region of the Commonwealth permitting the waiver of the requirements to comply with drivers' hours of service limitations in the interstate and intrastate delivery of gasoline to retail establishments.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-first day of April in the Year of our Lord two thousand and six, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirtieth.
Governor[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-747. Filed for public inspection May 5, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]
