The early arrival of winter conditions in the Midwest has resulted in a shortage of heating fuel, including propane, for household use in a number of states, prompting federal authorities to suspend certain trucking regulations for drivers hauling heating fuels into the affected states.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Friday, Nov. 1, it is suspending Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for haulers transporting heating fuel, including propane, natural gas and heating oil, or providing other direct assistance, into eight Midwestern states. The agency is also waiving Temporary Operating Authority Registration fees for carriers seeking temporary authority to assist in the emergency.

States included in the emergency declaration are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Direct assistance ends when a truck is used to provide services not directly related to the emergency. At this point, drivers are no longer included in the exemption from the FMCSRs.

The emergency declaration is effective for the duration of the emergency, or through Nov. 30, whichever is sooner.