Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and Mike Collins (GA-10), joined by 30 House colleagues, authored a letter today to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration urging relief from Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers in advance of natural disasters and emergencies. The lawmakers called for an internal plan that provides clear and consistent HOS exemptions to ensure the uninterrupted flow of fuel and supplies during times of emergency.
“When communities are staring down the threat of a dangerous emergency, the last thing they should have to worry about is ready access to fuel for their homes and vehicles,” said Bost. “I grew up in a family trucking business; I know red tape and delays at the federal level often make it harder for truckers to do their jobs and deliver their product when it matters most. This commonsense policy change will help keep families safe and spur a quicker recovery during severe weather and supply chain disruptions.”
“When disaster strikes, our fueling stations need to be supplied and ready to provide first responders and everyone in the impacted zone with the power they need to recover and rebuild,” said Collins. “I am proud to join my colleagues in improving disaster response and getting government bureaucracy out of the way of common-sense solutions.”
“Over 300 energy marketers across the country attended the Energy Marketers of America’s DC Conference and Day on the Hill last month and made it a priority to get lawmakers to call on the FMCSA to establish a forward-thinking policy that ensures timely and consistent HOS relief during emergencies,” said Energy Marketers of America President Rob Underwood. “We stand ready to collaborate with the agency to develop this critical framework for disaster response and recovery.”
Read the full letter here.
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