Noem waives hours of service regulations to deal with propane shortage

Governor Kristi Noem has signed an executive order granting extended hours of service for commercial delivery of propane products in the state.

The order declares a state of emergency and exempts delivery of propane from federal motor carrier regulations on drivers’ hours of service. Noem said South Dakotans are currently faced with low inventories and propane outages.

Noem said it’s already been a difficult year for producers, and they don’t need to also deal with a lack of propane to fuel their equipment.  

Producers in the state are faced with extremely low inventories of propane supplies as a result of market conditions impacted by severe season weather and increased heating fuel demands.

Although hours of service have been temporarily suspended for commercial deliveries, Noem said companies may not require or allow fatigued drivers to make deliveries.

The executive order was signed November 1st and expires at midnight November 30th.