August 21, 2003
August 21, 2003
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today rescinded the August 15, 2003, state of emergency declaration for Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. The Governor’s action comes with confirmation that electrical generation in Michigan is stable and electric and water service has been restored.
While power and water services have been restored, the Governor has maintained a state of energy emergency as a precautionary step to avoid any potential disruption in gasoline supplies between now and mid-September. The Governor has also issued an executive order temporarily suspending state rules affecting the transport and sale of gasoline.
“We want to make sure that in the wake of last week’s power outage, there are adequate gasoline supplies which are critical to the everyday life of Michigan residents and people traveling in our state,” Granholm said.
Executive Order 2003-11 declares a state of energy emergency effective until either the energy emergency no longer exists or November 19, 2003, whichever comes first.
Executive Order 2003-12 suspends administrative rules until September 15, 2003, that require 7.8 PSI gasoline, a type of gasoline required to meet environmental requirements during the summer months in Southeast Michigan. This order will expedite the restoration of gasoline production in Southeast Michigan and allow the shipment of gasoline to the area as well. The Governor’s action ensures continued flexibility so service stations in the Detroit metro area will have sufficient fuel supplies.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division has asked local emergency management officials to submit reports outlining costs incurred as a result of the power outage by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 22. A full report on the emergency will be compiled and presented to the Governor as early as next week. That report will be used to prepare Michigan’s request for a presidential emergency declaration to help the state and local governments defray the costs of the outage.
While the state of emergency has been rescinded, the State Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the post-emergency situation while collecting information from state agencies and local governments for the request for federal assistance.
