Posted on 01/21/2014 6:28:15 AM PST by Whenifhow
CINCINNATI —Ohio Gov. John Kasich has declared a statewide energy emergency for all 88 counties. The declaration was made in order to expedite the shipment of propane and heating oil to rural parts of the state.
Kasich's declaration temporarily eases regulations on shipping companies and delivery drivers. They will be allowed to drive more hours and more consecutive days than they normally would, as long as they can still do so safely, the declaration read.
Those longer hours are meant to help companies make the necessary deliveries of propane and heating oil to customers, as they are needed.
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This declaration will remain in effect until the emergency is over, but by law the emergency authorization is only valid for 30 days.
(Excerpt) Read more at wlwt.com ...
Indeed! It reads like something out of an Ayn Rand novel. It will be the Hank Reardens of the nation and their armies of technicians and skilled blue collar workers who are working overtime to keep Ohioans from freezing to death. They won't get the credit though. The governor and his toadies will take all the credit and the government schooled masses will bow down and worship government just as they were indoctrinated to do.
New Limited HOS (Hours of Service) regulations from Federal DOT for CDL drivers has hampered the ability for Propane delivery.
Oil & propane dealers/distributors buy ahead based on last years sales/demand. If this winter is a lot colder than the last one, shortages happen just because someone down the supply line did not buy enough.
IF they buy too much then it sits in their storage tank and they tie up their funds until next season.
It is similar to demand for rock salt, calcium chloride and other ice melter products. If you get a bad winter like this one, everyone is out and you can not get enough. However, you do not want any left over on the first of March because it does not store too well over the summer. Any left over will sit in the warehouse for 9 months and tying up your money.
We just layer up when we go outside, put blankets on the horses and throw another log in the woodstove.
It has more to do with the condition of the roads.
My guess is that the many snow days so far has the counties tapped on their snow melting stockpiles, and many of the rural counties simply cannot afford many snowplows.
As I sit here in my rural southern county, I know that both my township level road has not been touched, and my driveway won’t be touched by my tractor for another few hours. Both are hilly. The propane truck would have difficulty getting in and getting out.
I have wood backup.
So, it’s not that there’s so much snow. It’s that there isn’t money to pay for removal supplies and equipment.
Exactly!
Kasich is a good governor. Beats the last 6 or 7 hands down. Not even close. He’s taken us from insolvency to the #7 most fiscally solvent in the nation, and that’s despite an income tax. Ohio’s made a huge leap forward under Kasich.
He’s made some mistakes, but he hasn’t wavered on the economy.
Kasich is doing better than Obama. Go figure!
3 years ago, our propane supplier automatically filled tanks when they were down to 40%. Last year, the refill level went down to 25%-30%. This year, it is not refilled until you are down to 15%-20%.
Good luck to you out there in the frozen midwest.
We are supposed to get a big snowfall here in NY/NJ today, it’s coming down fast & furious right now.
I was sitting at the computer, right by the window, and without me even noticing everything turned white. It’s only been about an hour, but I bet we’ve got a solid inch at least already.
They’re saying we’ll get over a foot here at the Jersey Shore, but we’ll see!
The other major component with heating oil and propane is sometimes companies bet wrong. For example, an oil delivery company typically offers a pre buy the previous summer to the heating season. They can lock in their profit by buying the actual oil and taking delivery OR buying futures contracts on the mercantile exchange. However, sometimes they may believe the price is going to go down. Therefore, they take the business short perceiving they will be able to buy later at a cheaper price. These speculative trades do not always work out. This has led to the demise of several heating oil delivery companies with the wild swings we have had in the price of oil futures in the last 10 years.
Excellent explanation. It otally understand, as I’m re-stocking my garden center for spring. I HATE having too much stock on hand, tying up cashflow. :)
We haven’t had the summer fill specials for several years. Instead, they come out after the contract period ends in March, no matter what the tank level is, and fill it up at the prevailing market rate. So, we are paying a summer premium, now.
“Meanwhile, here in Arizona... :) “
No thanks.
I prefer cold and love having four distinct seasons.
.
Just got back from the driveway and the back lanes. Tractor blade did fine. It was only 3-4 inches of snow. Cold is supposed to set in tonight, though.
Stay warm in Jersey....avoid bridges. :>)
Me, too. From November to April, no multi-legged or slithering critters, no flying bloodsuckers, and no stinging Coca-Cola thieves.
LOL, I will, thanks!
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