On February 27, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a fourth extension and amendment of its Regional Emergency Declaration (No. 2025-012) related to winter storms, extreme cold, and the ongoing disruption at the Marcus Hook refinery complex in Pennsylvania.

The emergency declaration now remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. (ET) on March 14, 2026, unless terminated sooner.

What the Extension Covers

The declaration provides regulatory relief from 49 CFR § 395.3 (Hours of Service maximum driving time limits) for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in the transportation of:

• Propane
• Natural gas
• Heating oil

The relief applies in the following states:

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The exemption applies regardless of trip origin, provided the carrier or driver is directly supporting emergency heating fuel transportation in the affected states.

Important Limitations

• The declaration does not waive CDL requirements, drug and alcohol testing rules, insurance requirements, hazardous materials regulations, or vehicle size and weight limits.
• Carriers or drivers under an out-of-service order are not eligible for relief.
• Relief applies only while providing direct emergency assistance. Routine commercial deliveries or mixed loads intended to qualify for the exemption are not covered.
• Once emergency assistance ends, normal HOS rules resume. A driver returning to normal operations transporting property must take a 10-hour break if total on-duty time (emergency + normal operations) reaches or exceeds 14 hours.

FMCSA stated it will continue monitoring conditions and may modify, extend, or terminate the declaration as necessary.

PMTA will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve.