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Unlike propane, electricity is a secondary energy source and significant energy is lost between the power plant and an electrical outlet. The efficiency and environmental impacts of electricity varies greatly between states and regions.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has state-specific electricity profiles available under the Fight Electrification section on the NPGA Member Dashboard.

Pennsylvania’s data shows the bulk of our electric power mix (or ‘the grid’) is generated from natural gas (42.6%), nuclear (36.8%), and coal (16.7%).  The data is based on EIA’s finalized bulk power generation numbers for 2019.

For more information, please contact NPGA’s Jacob Peterson.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a Regional Emergency Declaration in response to the arctic blast and severe ice storm impacting much of the United States. The Emergency Declaration waives hours of service requirements for the transportation of propane, among other commodities, to those customers in Pennsylvania impacted by the severe weather. The declaration is in effect in 33 states and the District of Columbia until March 4, 2021.

States Under FMCSA Emergency Declaration:

• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia 
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guidance on emergency declarations and waivers by the National Association of State Energy Officials is available HERE. 

Please direct any questions to or share new information with Sarah Reboli, NPGA Senior Director of Regulatory & Industry Affairs.

Click HERE to Print FMCSA Regional HOS Waiver 2021-001

In order to reduce opportunity for confusion regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waiver for fuels, PennDOT has rescinded its waiver and will rely on the FMCSA Regional Hours of Service Waiver for the home heating fuels industry. The FMCSA waiver is in effect until March 4, 2021. (added 2/23/2021)

Pursuant to the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by the Governor on February 1, 2021, 75 Pa. C.S. §6108, and the authority granted in 49 C.F.R. §390.23 and 67 Pa. Code Chapter 231, the waivers in this exemption apply to motor carriers engaged in operations necessary to respond to the sever winter storm event disaster emergency declared by the Governor. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hereby issues the following exemption: 

TYPE OF OPERATION: Transportation of on road diesel fuels, home heating fuels, propane, and kerosene.

EXTENT OF EXEMPTION: Requirement to comply with driver hour of service limitations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2021

TERMINATION DATE: February 28, 2021 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
1. This exemption applies statewide to the transportation on road diesel fuels, home heating fuels, propane, and kerosene.
2. The maximum driving time is extended from 11 hours to 14 hours. Ten consecutive hours off-duty must be taken between the 14 hours of driving time.
3. Operators are exempted from the requirements of the 60/70-hour rule.

Operators are required to have a copy of this waiver when exceeding their normal HOS.

Click HERE to print or view HOS Exemption 2021-02

As your elected State Director, I wanted to provide you with important updates and a summary of activities that took place at the most recent National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Board of Directors meeting. 

NPGA’s committees and task forces held meetings and discussed issues of importance to all propane industry members. I encourage you to take the time to read my report.

Click HERE for the State Director Update – Winter 2021

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you.

Sincerely,
Kara Tucker
Koppy’s Propane
Williamstown, Pennsylvania

Pursuant to the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by the Governor on February 1, 2021, 75 Pa. C.S. §6108, and the authority granted in 49 C.F.R. §390.23 and 67 Pa. Code Chapter 231, the waivers in this exemption apply to motor carriers engaged in operations necessary to respond to the sever winter storm event disaster emergency declared by the Governor. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hereby issues the following exemption:

TYPE OF OPERATION: Transportation of essential food, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals to food distribution, retail and wholesale food establishments, and transportation and distribution of agricultural feed, and transportation of motor fuels, heating fuels, and propane.

EXTENT OF EXEMPTION: Requirement to comply with driver hour of service limitations. 

Drivers operating under the terms of the Hours of Service waiver should keep a copy of Exemption 2021-01 (below) in the vehicle.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 2, 2021

TERMINATION DATE: February 16, 2021

Click HERE to View/Print Exemption 2021.01