Governor Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation Wednesday, April 30, to allow a waiver for hours of service for motor carriers in Kansas. Areas within Kansas and surrounding states are experiencing a fuel shortage causing long lines at fuel terminals thereby causing a disruption in supply delivery and a need for drivers to increase the number of hours of service to deliver product. Diesel has been the earliest affected, but gasoline could be affected as well.
“I am issuing this declaration to help alleviate the delay in getting the fuel to the end user,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This is not just a Kansas issue; our neighboring states are experiencing the same delays.”
“In support of Governor Kelly’s Disaster Emergency Proclamation, the Kansas Corporation Commission has issued an order granting a temporary 14-day waiver of federal regulations limiting hours of service for all intrastate and interstate motor carriers or drivers operating commercial motor vehicles who are providing direct assistance,” said Andrew French, Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission. “This action will assist in efforts to prevent a disruption in supply delivery related to the current fuel shortage by allowing drivers to increase their hours to deliver products.”
“The Kansas Highway Patrol acknowledges the Governor’s proclamation and will ensure enforcement efforts concerning commercial motor vehicles are consistent with these developments,” said Colonel Erik Smith, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
