State of Rhode Island

GUBERNATORIAL PROCLAMATION

December 22, 2025

WHEREAS, home heating fuel is an essential supply necessary to protect public health and safety;
 
WHEREAS, the recent cold temperatures have increased the demand for heating fuel;

WHEREAS, the recent high winds have slowed the delivery of fuel into terminals;
 
WHEREAS, the home heating fuel workforce has been impacted a shortage of qualified fuel delivery drivers; and

WHEREAS, 49 CFR 390.23 allows temporary emergency relief from federal motor carrier safety regulations codified at 49 CFR Parts 390-399 to any motor carrier or driver operating a commercial vehicle for the purpose of providing emergency relief during an emergency declared by a Governor.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Daniel J. McKee, by the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island, do hereby proclaim as follows:

    1.  A temporary emergency exists pertaining to the delivery of home heating fuel.

    2.  Temporary emergency relief from 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, subject to the limitations described below, is granted to any motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle for delivery of home heating fuel (fuel oil, natural gas and propane) until the termination of this Proclamation.

    3.  Nothing contained in this Proclamation shall be construed as an exemption from the Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing requirements (49 CFR 382), the Commercial Driver's License requirements (49 CFR 383), or motor carrier financial responsibility/insurance (49 CFR 387), and this Proclamation shall not apply to motor carriers that have an Out of Service Order in effect. Drivers and carriers are expected to use good judgment and not operate vehicles with fatigued or ill drivers, or under any condition presenting a clear hazard to other motorists. Drivers for motor carriers operating under this Proclamation should maintain a copy of it in their possession. Drivers should have a manifest in their possession demonstrating that they are delivering essential goods or services to affected locations.

    4.  Upon termination of this Proclamation, federal regulations shall again become effective.

This Proclamation shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect up to and including January 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

So Ordered:

Daniel J. McKee