STATE OF ENERGY EMERGENCY
WAIVER OF REGULATIONS RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS AND DRIVERS TRANSPORTING PROPANE, NATURAL GAS, COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS, AND ETHANOL
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the Governor;
WHEREAS, under Section 4 of 1982 PA 191, MCL 10.84, during a declared State of Energy Emergency the Governor may by executive order suspend a statute, order, rule of a state agency, or specific provision of a statute, order, or rule if strict compliance with the statute, order, rule, or a specific provision of the statute, order, or rule will prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with an energy emergency;
WHEREAS, based on the effects of Hurricane Katrina, Executive Order 2005-16 declared a State of Energy Emergency in this state beginning on August 31, 2005;
WHEREAS, because Hurricane Katrina has temporarily halted the off-shore production of petroleum products in the Gulf of Mexico and damaged storage facilities and transportation infrastructure throughout the Gulf Coast region, the effects of Hurricane Katrina are being felt throughout the United States;
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has declared that a regional transportation emergency exists in the Midwest Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin) in the highway transportation of certain petroleum products;
WHEREAS, as a result of the declared regional transportation emergency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, acting pursuant to 49 CFR 390.23, has exempted motor carriers and drivers transporting gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 to address transportation needs arising from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The exemption is effective from 1:00 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2005 until 1:00 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2005;
WHEREAS, as a result of the declared regional transportation emergency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, acting pursuant to 49 CFR 390.23, has also exempted motor carriers and drivers transporting propane, natural gas, compressed natural gas, and ethanol from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 to address transportation needs arising from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The federal exemption is effective from 1:00 p.m. EDT, September 2, 2005 until 1:00 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2005
WHEREAS, in addition, appropriate measures must be taken at the state level to aid the relief effort, and in response to the energy emergency, to ensure that petroleum supplies will remain sufficient and to assure the health, safety, and welfare of Michigan residents and visitors;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and authority vested in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and 1982 PA 191, MCL 10.81 to 10.87, order the following:
1. Motor carriers and drivers transporting propane, natural gas, compressed natural gas, and ethanol to address transportation needs arising from the impact of Hurricane Katrina are exempt from compliance with any applicable state statute, order, or rule substantially similar to 49 CFR Parts 390-399. Any such provision of a state statute, order, or rule is suspended. The exemption and suspension under this Order is effective from the time of the issuance of this Order until 1:00 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2005.
2. The suspension under this Order is in addition to the suspension provided for the transportation of gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel under Executive Order 2005-17.
3. This Order applies only to propane, natural gas, compressed natural gas, and ethanol. Executive Order 2005-17 applies only to gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. No other petroleum products are covered.
4. Nothing in this Order shall be construed as an exemption from applicable controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements (49 CFR Part 382 and any similar state statute, order, or rule), the commercial driver’s license requirements (49 CFR Part 383 and any similar state statute, order, or rule), the financial responsibility requirements (49 CFR Part 387 and any similar state statute, order, or rule), applicable size and weight requirements, or any portion of federal regulations not specifically identified.
5. Motor carriers or drivers currently subject to an out-of-service order are not eligible for the exemption and suspension until the out-of-service order expires or the conditions for rescission have been satisfied.
6. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has required that drivers for motor carriers operating under the Declaration of Emergency issued under federal regulations have a copy of the federal Declaration of Emergency in their possession. A copy of the federal Declaration of Emergency is attached to this Order.
7. The Motor Carrier Division of the Department of State Police shall coordinate state compliance with this Order.
This Order is effective until the earliest of any of the following:
a. A finding by the Governor that the State of Energy Emergency declared under Executive Order 2005-16 no longer exists.
b. Rescission of this Order.
c. 1:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, September 14, 2005.
This Order is effective upon filing.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 6th day of September in the year of our Lord, two thousand and five.
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
BY THE GOVERNOR:
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SECRETARY OF STATE
