(The Center Square) – Garden State residents and businesses relying on propane for heating will find themselves under a state of emergency on Friday.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the declaration on Thursday afternoon, citing a service interruption at a “major” Marcus Hook, Pa., gas refinery and industrial complex. Commercial truck drivers transporting fuel can stay on the road longer, from 11 hours to 14 hours, with 10 consecutive hours off between shifts.
“As temperatures continue to drop, ensuring that every person has access to a safe, warm environment is essential,” Murphy said in a release. “I am declaring a State of Emergency to ensure that the approximately 186,000 New Jerseyans who rely on propane for home heating purposes can receive it without interruption. This executive order expands delivery capabilities to keep homes heated and families secure.”
Parts of the state will experience daily lows in the teens over the weekend, with snow showers in the forecast, according to local news reports.
The executive order cites a Nov. 21 power outage at the unnamed facility which continues to operate intermittently, which bottlenecks fuel deliveries across the region.
