The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a further extension of its emergency declaration supporting the transportation of heating fuels, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil, in response to ongoing winter weather impacts and supply chain disruptions.

On January 15, 2026, FMCSA issued an Extension and Amendment of Emergency Declaration No. 2025-012, continuing temporary regulatory relief that helps ensure the delivery of essential heating fuels to communities in need. This extended declaration is now effective through 11:59 p.m. (ET) on February 15, 2026, or until the emergency conditions no longer exist, whichever comes first.

What This Emergency Declaration Does

Emergency Declaration No. 2025-012 provides temporary relief from Federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) requirements under 49 CFR § 395.3 for commercial motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in transporting heating fuels in the affected region. This regulatory relief facilitates faster delivery of critical fuels during an ongoing emergency response.

Affected States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Who Qualifies: Motor carriers and drivers directly supporting emergency relief efforts by transporting heating fuels in the affected states.

Regulatory Guidance for Carriers

HOS Relief: Drivers providing direct assistance in support of the emergency are temporarily relieved from maximum driving time limits under 49 CFR § 395.3.

Other Rules Still Apply: All other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations — such as CDL, drug/alcohol testing, insurance, hazardous materials safety rules, and vehicle size/weight requirements — remain fully in force.

Direct Assistance Only: Relief applies only while the carrier or driver is engaged in direct assistance; once normal commercial operations resume, standard HOS requirements apply.

Background on the Emergency

FMCSA originally issued Regional Emergency Declaration No. 2025-012 on December 12, 2025, after severe winter weather and a power outage at the Marcus Hook facility in Pennsylvania disrupted propane distribution and increased heating fuel demand. Because those conditions have persisted, FMCSA first extended the declaration in late December 2025 and again on January 15, 2026, with this latest extension through February 15.

What Carriers Should Do Now

• Review FMCSA’s full Emergency Declaration No. 2025-012 Extension and Amendment to ensure compliance.
• Maintain compliance with all other safety regulations outside of the specified HOS relief.
• Keep documentation of qualifying transport activities in case of inspection.

PMTA will continue to monitor developments related to this emergency declaration and provide updates if further changes occur.