Gov. Kristi Noem signs executive order lifting hours of service limits on fuel deliveries

In order to alleviate the strain of predicted supply shortages of certain fuel and energy sources this winter, South Dakota is temporarily lifting the limits on the transport of those products.

On Wednesday, Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order waiving federal restrictions on the number of hours truck drivers can drive per day and week while transporting certain energy sources in the state.

Noem's 30-day order also declares a state of emergency on supply shortages for gas and energy sources due to the needs of the harvest and the coming winter months.

"[The order] exempts delivery of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane, ethyl alcohol, natural gasoline, diesel exhaust fluid, and anhydrous ammonia from federal motor carrier regulations regarding drivers’ hours of service," according to a press release.

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On Tuesday, South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission warned natural gas customers in the state to prepare for increased heating expenses this winter, according to a press release. The PUC cited heightened demand for natural gas, record-level exports of liquified natural gas and Europe's natural gas crisis — exacerbated by the Ukraine-Russian war — as reasons for likely higher energy bills.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation, says drivers are limited to working a maximum of 11 hours, may not drive after 60 hours on duty in seven consecutive days (or 70 hours of duty in eight consecutive days), and must take a 30-minute break after driving eight consecutive hours.

The executive order temporarily lifts those regulations on deliveries of the exempted products until Nov. 26.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem signs executive order lifting fuel deliveries limits