Parson signs executive order allowing drivers delivering propane to drive more hours
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday signed an executive order temporarily relaxing the hours of service regulations for commercial motor vehicles delivering propane.
Current federal and state regulations limit the number of hours commercial truck drivers can operate to 11 consecutive hours. The order temporarily suspends these regulations for motor carriers transporting propane fuel. No other petroleum products or fuels are covered under the rrder.
The order will take effect immediately, and remain in effect until Jan. 3.
“With bitter cold temperatures expected to impact much of the state and nation into the holiday weekend, the demand for heating fuel will only rise. We want to do our part to prevent significant fuel distribution delays,” Parson said in a press release. “This Order will help meet this need and protect the well-being of Missourians by allowing truck drivers more time to distribute propane fuel to homes and businesses across the state.”
Parson signed an executive order last week after Boonville-based Gygr-Gas ceased operations and stopped refilling tanks.
That order waives state laws and regulations that prevent gas companies from filing tanks owned by other gas companies, according to a governor's office news release. This will allow customers of Gygr-Gas to buy propane from other distributors.
"Gygr-Gas has reportedly ceased all business operations and is no longer serving its customers, leaving several thousand Missourians across 42 counties without propane service to their Gygr-Gas owned propane containers," Parson said in a release last week.
Parson said in a statement that while the state law is an important safety standard, immediate action is required in this case. Gygr-Gas hasn't responded to customers in months, the release says. Some propane tanks have been left empty because of it.
