Foster Fuels (Brookneal, Virginia) has been delivering fuel to critical infrastructure and crews working to restore power in the aftermath of the 2021 Texas ice storms that left more than 4 million people without power. Initially dispatching around two dozen trucks, the count has grown to more than 110, delivering diesel fuel and gasoline after an emergency fuel activation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Since the storm devastated access to local fuel reserves within Texas, Foster has been sourcing fuel from 12 states, as far away as Utah and Ohio. As of February 20, Foster had dispensed around 500,000 gallons of fuel. Providing support to crews from American Electric Power, 15 data centers, four hospitals, and four locations storing doses of the COVID vaccine has been no easy task, especially with hazardous conditions.
“Road travel has been challenging as our trucks move further south, but we have been able to use information from DOT and highway webcams to direct our team in the safest route,” said Will Rohrig, senior vice president. “Not only do we have our eyes on the road, but also on keeping our drivers and the public safe from COVID. The vast majority of our drivers are vaccinated, and all are following appropriate protocols.”
This marks the end of one full week of relief efforts in Texas. On February 20, Foster said it expects the mission will continue for at least one to two more weeks.
“We are proud of the men and women working hard to help those affected and we look forward to all of them returning home safely to their families,” Rohrig said.
