Eric DeGesero, Spokesman, NJ Propane Gas Association

The New Jersey Propane Gas Association released the following statement on current marketplace conditions:

"It’s important for New Jersey consumers to know there is no shortage of propane fuel.  Rather, the current state of emergency is due to a week-long closure of a major propane distribution facility which has resulted in dramatically longer wait times and traveling further distances to access supply. US Department of Transportation regulations limit how many hours drivers are allowed to work per day and per week .  Governor Murphy’s targeted action is providing the necessary flexibility to help address this supply chain disruption "

BACKGROUND: On November 21, 2025 there was an incident at the Marcus Hook, PA propane distribution facility, a major component of the east coast propane supply chain. This incident caused the facility to be closed for nearly a week. Although re-opened the facility is not operating at normal capacity.

This has resulted in dramatically longer wait times for drivers to load fuel at Marcus Hook and necessitated propane marketers having to dispatch drivers to alternate facilities to access supply. These alternate facilities are already busy with their existing customers, so additional customers are backing up wait times.

The length of time commercial drivers’ may operate is regulated by the US Department of Transportation on a daily and weekly basis. During periods of extreme cold and/or snow or supply chain disruptions waivers of driver regulations are common to ensure the delivery of propane, an essential commodity.

This is why Governor Murphy issued the declaration of emergency he did. We are grateful for his attentiveness and action.

In the fall 2023, the US DOT changed the waiver process requiring governors to issue the waiver instead of the US DOT.

Across America fuel distributors, including propane marketers, cross state lines every day and the US DOT regulates every aspect of interstate truck traffic. In the instance of fuel distribution, the US DOT even regulates intrastate truck traffic. No fuel truck in America can operate without US DOT authority.  Quite simply the US DOT has a better understanding of the nationwide fuel supply chain than any governor does. And why the regional waivers of the driving regulations need to issued by the US DOT. 

In the current instance, US DOT is saying governors have to issue the waiver because of the 2023 change. However on January 10, 2025 the US DOT issued the same waiver which they extended on January 29, 2025.

 The most important thing for the public to understand is these waivers are not a detriment to public safety. When the change was made in 2023 the US DOT said:

 (USDOT) FMCSA acknowledges that there is no specific quantitative evidence that the current emergency exemption rules have led to a degradation of safety. (Federal Register 10/13/2023 p.70900)