Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Updated- Diesel Fuel And Gasoline Distribution Severely Disrupted By Hurricane Sandy

On Monday Hurricane Sandy forced the closure of two-thirds of the refineries in the Northeastern U.S., its largest pipeline and most major ports making it very difficult, if not impossible, to ship in supplies of diesel fuel and gasoline for the region.

Now with the damage caused by the hurricane blocking distribution of fuel products and demand for diesel and other fuels rising to run generators at key facilities, there are now significant shortages of these fuels in New York, New Jersey and in Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did issue a temporary waiver from clean diesel fuel standards for New York and Pennsylvania to allow more flexibility in the sources supplying  diesel fuel for the region.

The U.S. Department of Energy also authorized the release of heating oil from the northeast heating oil reserve to be used for diesel fuel for emergency equipment and building generators.

State Agencies Announce Fuel Waivers (Updated)

The Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture announced Saturday the Commonwealth has made available one temporary fuel waiver and requested and received two additional temporary waivers due to fuel shortages from Hurricane Sandy.

DEP Friday requested and Saturday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted waivers of the federal requirements on the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel in mobile non-road generators and pumps as well as the requirements for diesel-powered highway and other equipment needed for emergency response and disaster recovery.

“Because of the widespread effects of Hurricane Sandy, there is an insufficient amount of this fuel in Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “These waivers are necessary to avoid fuel disruptions and continue everyone’s ongoing storm recovery efforts.”

With these waivers, the use of heating oil in diesel-powered, on-road vehicles involved in emergency response efforts in Pennsylvania will be allowed with DEP approval. The waivers would also allow the use of heating oil supplies for generators and other off-road equipment. DEP approval is not required for that use.

The waivers, which expire on November 13, would place restrictions so that the home heating fuel is only used to operate equipment that is compatible with the sulfur levels of heating oil.

The Department of Agriculture also granted a waiver for a temporary suspension of Pennsylvania’s two-percent biodiesel content requirement for on-road diesel fuel. The suspension will be in effect until midnight on Thursday, November 12.

“Hurricane Sandy has impacted the supply and demand of diesel fuel,” Agriculture Secretary George Greig said. “Temporarily lifting this requirement will keep trucks on the road and allow food and materials to get to Pennsylvanians who are in need due to power outages.”

Since 2010, the Biofuel Development and In-state Production Incentive Act has required that every gallon of on-road diesel fuel sold in Pennsylvania contain at least two percent biodiesel. Retailers may accept diesel fuel that is not compliant with the mandate and sell it to consumers through November 12. Diesel fuel supplies that meet the two-percent requirement may continue to be sold.

The on-road Waivers do not apply to the general public on public highways.

NewsClips:

Patience Short, Gas Lines Long In PA Post-Sandy

PA Waives Clean Diesel Fuel Standards For NY, PA

Scramble To Restore Fuel Deliveries

U.S. Tries To Get Fuel To Storm-Hit Northeast

U.S. Releases Heating Oil Reserves For First Time

Obama Orders Fuel Sent To Areas Hit By Sandy

Rules Bent As Gasoline Hard To Come By After Sandy

NJ Drivers Seek Gasoline In Pennsylvania

New Jersey To Use Odd-Even Gasoline Rationing

Motorists From NY, NJ Trek To Poconos For Gasoline


11/5/2012

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page