Reliable Home Heating Act signed into law, streamlines hours-of-service process

President Barack Obama signed the Reliable Home Heating Act into law on June 30, the National Propane Gas Association announced.

According to the bill, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) must accept hours-of-service (HOS) extensions during emergencies declared by a governor for up to two additional 30-day periods – for a total of three periods. The law had allowed only the FMCSA or the president, via an emergency declaration, to grant additional HOS extensions, which allow commercial truck drivers more time on the road to deliver home heating fuel.

The Reliable Home Heating Act also provides an early warning mechanism to monitor home heating fuel inventory levels. The bill would require the Energy Information Administration to notify the governor of each state in a Petroleum Administration for Defense District if propane inventory has been below the most recent five-year average for more than three consecutive weeks.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., first introduced the bill in May.