Governor Gretchen Whitmer took action after a fire caused BP’s Whiting, Indiana oil refinery to temporarily go offline.
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The governor is working to ensure continued access to an adequate supply of motor fuels by waiving regulations on motor vehicle hours-of-service rules, as the effects of the outage at the plant are expected to spread across the region and will impact drivers transporting such fuel.
“I am taking action to help address Michigan’s fuel needs after a fire and power outage at a BP refinery in Indiana,†said Governor Whitmer.
“The impacts of the outage at the Whiting facility will be widespread across our region, and I am taking proactive steps to help Michiganders get the fuel they need to drive their cars and help businesses keep their products moving.
"With today’s [August 27] action, I am freeing up more gas supply and removing any impediments to gas delivery to cut down wait times at stations. I will keep working to get Michiganders the affordable gas they need without delay.â€
Executive Order 2022-9 takes effect immediately and remains in effect through duration of the emergency remains in effect only for the duration of the supply challenges related to the refinery fire or until the end of the day on September 15, 2022, whichever comes first.
In addition to this order, the Michigan’s Public Service Commission (MPSC) will continue to monitor the situation and work with and provide information and assistance to the Governor’s Office, states agencies, and the public.
On Wednesday, August 24, BP’s 435,000 barrel-per-day refinery located in Whiting, Indiana, suffered an electrical fire. As a result, the refinery has ceased production and is undergoing a damage assessment.
The Whiting refinery is the sixth biggest, by capacity, in the United States and provides approximately 20% to 25% of the refined gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel used collectively by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
While efforts are underway to find ways to replace the supply from the Whiting refinery, disruptions in the fuel supply are likely.
Governor Whitmer’s executive order declaring an energy emergency takes the following two temporary actions:
• Lifts Hours of Service Rules: exempts motor carriers and drivers transporting gas and diesel from compliance with the maximum weekly driving and on-duty limits, ensuring that these limits will not hinder the delivery of gas and diesel to stations in Michigan.
• Suspends Vapor Pressure Requirements: temporarily suspends certain laws and regulations to accelerate the transition to the fall fuel supply and takes advantage of existing stocks of fuel, contingent on the Environmental Protection Agency making similar changes. ■