Shortage of propane, Nation wide, trasport drivers hours of service rules lifted.

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by waveform, Mar 10, 2018.

  1. waveform

    waveform Light Load Member

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    I was hoping someone with experience in the fuel industry could explain specifically what happened with this recent shortage of propane March 2018. Even our competitors are 30 to 40 transport loads behind. This is the first time my propane employer has run out of gas in 22 years. I was talking to one of the transport drivers, He said the DOT has lifted hours of service rules to let drivers drive longer. This sounds crazy. The last two days my employer told us to limit propane tank fills to 50 % so we could conserve fuel for other customers.
    Can someone please explain what's really happening. I feel like my employer is shooting for a better price. The transport guy said there is a nation wide shortage. Anyone have more details? I'm not finding anything on the net for recent shortages.

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
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  3. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    No shortage in our neck of the woods. Full residential deliveries.

    I doubt seriously if the HOS have been lifted for the transport drivers. The only time that's done for haz-mat is during an all out national crisis. A fuel shortage doesn't qualify.
     
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  4. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    California and Nevada Emergency Waiver
    Friday, March 2, 2018

    In response to winter storms that are anticipated to create fuel shortages, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted emergency relief from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations for commercial carriers transporting heating fuel, including propane, natural gas and heating oil, into and from the affected States.


    Read the memo for more information.

    If you have any questions or concerns for California, contact Miguel Acosta, Chief of the Customer Service Program Support Branch, California Department of Motor Vehicles, at (916) 657-6604.

    If you have any questions or concerns for Nevada, contact Roy Baughman, Lieutenant, Nevada Commercial Enforcement Division, at (775) 687-8346.

    California and Nevada Emergency Waiver - International Registration Plan, Inc.
     
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  5. nax

    nax Road Train Member

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    need better pay, to attract MORE qualified drivers....this is symptomatic of the industry, low wages = few willing drivers
     
  6. drver60021

    drver60021 Light Load Member

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    I remember about a year ago they lifted the hos rule for gasoline tankers in some upper Midwest state cause of the shortage of fuel due to alot of travel during labor day weekend I believe it was.
     
  7. SAR

    SAR Road Train Member

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  8. snowman_w900

    snowman_w900 Road Train Member

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    There has in fact been a shortage nationwide this year. It's been about 3 years since we've seen a shortage like this winter in the east, but it's been over 10 since we've seen it nationwide.

    One factor that we seen this particular year is the hurricanes this year we seen this summer in the south and out east. They ramped up production of butane to help blend to stretch and replenish gasoline supply because of fuel shortages, then followed by some record cold temps in December and January in my area. Lastly the ELD did affect delivery schedules along with allocation at the refinery.

    There is so many factors, it's hard to actaully pinpoint a single reason WHY there was a shortage, but you have to consider all those factors I listed as the major causes when combined.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2018
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  9. snowman_w900

    snowman_w900 Road Train Member

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    It does NOT have to be a nationwide crisis to enact a HOS exemption. It's a state decision to participate. Any sort of petroleum products trucked that are used for transportation or heating homes and businesses absolutely does qualify for a emergency waiver. Gasoline, diesel, butane, y grades, propane , heating oil and any other product involved with the emergency relief effort.

    I'm not sure where your neck of the woods actually is, but when we say nationwide shortage, that doesn't mean every single zip code is on exemption, however, there was many states that were on HOS exemption for anywhere from 1 to 3 months consecutively.

    Here in Ohio, and surrounding states, I was on emergency relief HOS exemption from December until midnight Feb 28.

    Also, each state has different stipulations and regs they require you to follow in order to be in compliance with their exemption. You are not required to follow the HOS exemption, it's solely your choice as you take responsibility for how you run. It's a double edge sword
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2018
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  10. snowman_w900

    snowman_w900 Road Train Member

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    I can't really say I 100% agree with this, but I'm an owner operator.

    Most propane transport companies pay their drivers a mileage rate just like any other trucking company in the trucking industry. Your average wages of 40 to 60 cpm. It all depends on the company.

    As far as owner operator goes, I make better money pulling a bottle than I ever did pulling flatbed, or any other opendeck freight (with the exception of specialized os/ow loads) and all my loads pay round trip, and I'm loaded 1 way.

    It all comes down to what you wanna do really and what suits you and your family.
     
  11. nax

    nax Road Train Member

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    O/O in propane delivery world? Tell me more...

    (Though I'm scared of going up in flames)
     
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