Gov. John Kasich used the executive power of his office last week to speed up propane shipments to areas where shortages are affecting many Ohioans, including some in Southeast Ohio.
Kasich on Friday extended a January-issued emergency declaration, which will now last until March 1, to temporarily waive the limit on the number of hours a truck driver could drive in a day when transporting propane to help get the home-heating fuel to areas where it is most needed.
“The waiver helped get propane here, but it’s the supply that’s the stumbling block,” said Tamara McBride, a spokeswoman for Ohio Emergency Management. “There are no residents who don’t have propane, it’s just a matter of rationing the amount marketers have to make sure everyone remains heated,” McBride added.
Typically, a truck driver would only be allowed to drive 14 hours straight after taking 10 hours rest, but the declaration temporarily waives those limits, McBride said.
“We’re also working closely with county officials to look out for people whose supplies might be getting low,” Kasich said in a release. “I urge folks to look out for one another right now.”
The shortage in propane, which has hit Athens County, has been caused by a variety of factors, such as an increased need to use propane to dry grain after a damp autumn and trouble getting fuel from the southern part of the nation because of weather conditions, said Fred Davis, director of the Athens County Emergency Management Agency.
For those who must resort to electric or kerosene heaters, Davis warned to keep them away from flammable objects.
Conservation is especially important because as temperatures remain cold, the shortage — which spans 24 states — is expected to go on, Davis said.
“This could be an ongoing issue for the next several weeks,” Davis said.
But as many residents replace their propane heaters with electric heaters, the strain on the electrical grid goes up, Davis said.
“(I) encourage people to conserve as much as possible, whether it’s propane or not, because we’re taxing our electrical grid,” Davis said. “Conserve as much as possible and look out for your neighbor.”
ld3117101@ohiou.edu
@lucas daprile
This article appeared in print under the headline "Propane shortages likely to continue"
