Thursday, July 12, 2007
Governor Culver Signs Waiver To Address Gas Distribution And Low Supply
(Des Moines) – Today, in an effort to address low gasoline and diesel supplies caused by recent refinery outages, Governor Chet Culver signed a proclamation to temporarily lift regulatory provisions that limit the number of hours gasoline and diesel truck drivers can be on the road. Normally drivers are limited to a 12 hour per day delivery window, with a minimum of 10 hours off after each shift. The Governor’s actions today allow gasoline and diesel delivery drivers extra time to deliver gasoline and diesel to retail stations in Iowa.
Due to the recent wave of refinery outages and heavy demand, Midwestern supplies of gasoline and diesel are lower than normal. The Hours of Service Waiver issued by the Governor comes as Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Kansas have also issued waivers.
“This was a necessary step,” said Governor Culver. “Supplies were tight to begin with, and then after the Coffeyville, Kansas refinery was flooded last week, supplies became very tight.
“Now is as good of a time as any to point out the need for our state and our country to focus on energy conservation, fuel efficiency and researching and developing new, innovative alternative fuels. I look forward to a day where gasoline refinery outages will not impact Iowa’s energy supply. Simply put, we must work to wean ourselves off foreign oil. I am committed to doing everything I can as Governor to ensure that Iowa remains a leader developing new, clean forms of alternative energy for future generations. I believe the new Iowa Power Fund and Office of Energy Independence are giant steps towards reaching our goals.”
This Hours of Service Waiver will be in effect for 30 days.