Executive Order Extends Hours of Service for Propane Delivery Until Nov. 30th

DES MOINES, Iowa (November 12, 2019) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, thanked Gov. Reynolds for signing an Emergency Executive Order on Oct. 31, 2019, which will help resolve delivery challenges resulting from increased seasonal propane demands. The proclamation exempts drivers of commercial motor vehicles delivering propane from the Hours of Service (HOS) requirements outlined in Iowa Code, beginning on Nov. 1 and running through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2019.

“I want to thank Gov. Reynolds for issuing this proclamation, which helps address propane delivery challenges that are affecting our farmers in rural communities during an already challenging harvest season,” said Secretary Naig. “An unusually late harvest coupled with wet weather conditions has left farmers with higher-than-normal moisture levels in their corn. The early onset of cold weather means the corn is not drying in the field, which is increasing the need for propane to run grain dryers.”

Propane industry officials state there is propane available in the Midwest but there are transportation and pipeline capacity limitations that are creating logistical challenges. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is working with Iowa Propane Gas Association (IPGA) to monitor the situation and explore options to expedite the delivery of propane to homes, farms and businesses. The industry is tracking potential interruptions to rail or pipeline distribution lines and working with those industries to help facilitate the movement of propane during peak demand periods.

The Midwestern and Western Service Centers of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an emergency declaration for a limited number of states within the two FMCSA regions. The Emergency Declaration applies to the delivery of supply to the states of:

Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin

The FMCSA issued the declaration to obtain propane, natural gas, and heating oil. The declaration is in effect until 11:59 pm November 30, 2019. Please note, the declaration waives hours of service requirements in regulations 49 C.F.R. 390-399 for drivers delivering to one of the above listed states. For example, a driver in one of the listed states may travel outside of that state, including to a state not listed in the declaration, to obtain propane, natural gas, or heating oil then return to deliver to one of the impacted states.

The declaration covers the entirety of the transportation route, including travel to a state not listed to obtain product.