Ga. Gov. Deal Waives Regulations For Hurricane Relief, Fuel
To curb gas supply shortages, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has waived regulations for vehicles transporting fuel in Georgia and for those carrying hurricane relief supplies.
Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Aug. 25, at least 10 oil refineries have shut down in the Gulf Coast area, the Department of Energy reported yesterday. A couple of refineries in the region are operating at reduced rates.
As a result, gas prices are on the rise in Georgia. According to the AAA, the average price for regular-grade gas has increased by 22 cents statewide since last week and 6 cents since yesterday.
Yesterday in an executive order, Deal amended regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — which sets restrictions on commercial vehicles and limits the number of hours transporters can drive.
Deal said that no one should require or allow a sick or fatigued driver to work, and he or she must be given at least 10 consecutive hours of rest.
In addition, Deal set new restrictions for length, width and weight for vehicles traveling into or from Texas or Louisiana. Vehicles exceeding those limitations must receive a permit from the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Deal’s executive order is in effect until Sept. 20.
“While recovery efforts continue and until normal operations resume, I urge the public to maintain regular consumption levels and travel schedules,” Deal said in a press release. He said his thoughts and prayers go out to families affected by the hurricane’s disaster.
In addition to Deal’s order, the Environmental Protection Agency has waived regulations for 13 Georgia counties. The EPA regulates the pressure of gasoline sold in stations to reduce emissions during the “high ozone season,” which lasts June 1 to Sept. 15. The counties affected are:
- Cherokee
- Clayton
- Cobb
- Coweta
- DeKalb
- Douglass
- Fayette
- Forsyth
- Fulton
- Gwinnett
- Henry
- Paulding
- Rockdale