BISMARCK -- Gov. John Hoeven has expanded his emergency order regarding commercial truck drivers hauling fuel, allowing them to cross the border into neighboring states in search of gasoline.
Hoeven last week issued an order extending the service hours for commercial truck drivers hauling fuel, to help deal with fuel shortages at pipeline terminals in the region. The expansion of the order now allows those drivers to go to South Dakota and Minnesota in search of fuel, Hoeven spokesman Don Canton said Wednesday.
"Those are basically the states that are sourcing" fuel, he said.
Canton said the federal Department of Transportation approved the move. That means truckers in all three states can travel freely in those states in search of fuel, he said.
Mike Rud, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association, said Wednesday that the expansion will help, because "everybody in the three-state area is in the same boat."
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"Giving people a chance to move around the Midwest a little bit to find product is certainly a plus for our marketers," Rud said.
Petroleum marketers say refinery slowdowns in the region are forcing truckers to wait longer at pipeline terminals to get fuel.
A big problem is that a refinery in Coffeyville, Kan., that represents a large chunk of Great Plains production has had flooding problems and is not expected to contribute any gasoline or diesel fuel to regional terminals for the rest of the summer.
The problems have led to worries about possible shortages at service stations, especially with more people traveling during the July Fourth holiday. Retail gas prices are expected to remain around $3 a gallon for the rest of the summer in the region.
Hoeven's initial order, which waives the 15-hour limit on the work shifts of fuel truck drivers, is in effect through Saturday. Safety rules still apply.
Rud said South Dakota and Minnesota have similar orders in place until July 19. Rud said it is possible that the North Dakota waiver will be extended. After Saturday, "we'll take another look and see where we're at," he said.
Canton said the governor's office is evaluating the situation daily.
