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Gov. Scott: We’re Aggressively Moving Fuel into Florida

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Governor Rick Scott tonight issued an update regarding the state’s efforts to resupply gas stations as Floridians begin to return to their homes after evacuating for Hurricane Irma. Governor Scott has aggressively worked to ensure that Florida gas stations have fuel as Floridians heeded evacuation orders due to Hurricane Irma, including directing the Florida Highway Patrol to escort fuel supply trucks to gas stations. Before getting on the road to return home, Floridians should listen to local officials to ensure it’s safe.
Governor Scott said, “We have aggressively worked to ensure that Floridians have the fuel they need as our state prepared for and responds to Hurricane Irma. At my direction, the Florida Highway Patrol will continue to escort fuel resupply trucks to gas stations so fuel is quickly delivered to our communities. We will continue to work around the clock so Floridians have fuel at the pumps as our state begins to recover from this powerful storm.”
Port Everglades Updates:

  • Port Everglades is open to traffic on the landside terminals. Fuel trucks are actively filling and leaving the terminals to refuel gas stations. Video is attached;
  • The Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a survey of the channel to confirm that tankers may safely deliver additional fuel and expects to complete that task no later than tomorrow; and
  • Once clearance is granted, at least eight tankers with fuel are scheduled to arrive within the next 72 hours, beginning tomorrow.

Port Canaveral Updates:

  • Port Canaveral is opening landside terminals tonight for fuel trucks to fill and deliver; and
  • The United States Coast Guard is conducting a survey tonight to ensure prompt and safe reopening of the Port. Once clearance granted, tankers are queuing up for delivery.

Port Tampa Updates

  • Port of Tampa has landslide terminals open;
  • Fuel trucks are actively filling and leaving the terminals to deliver gas to stations; and
  • Tankers will begin delivery this evening, with at least seven expected in the next 72 hours.

This week, the Governor took the following actions to expedite fuel delivery to gas stations:

  • Directed the Florida Highway Patrol to escort fuel resupply trucks to gas stations;
  • Waived the tax on fuel entering the state;
  • Gov. Scott and executive office staff have held daily calls with all fuel supply stakeholders, including Florida Ports;
  • Following the Governor’s request, Vice President Pence announced that the federal government has waived the Jones Act upon Governor Scott’s request, which waives additional rules and regulations to allow more fuel to get to Florida fast. This waiver ensures that all options are available to distribute fuel to Florida. The last Jones Act waiver was issued in December 2012, for petroleum products to be delivered for relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
  • Following the Governor’s request, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved an emergency fuel waiver which allows more fuel to quickly enter the state. For more information, please click HERE.
  • Requested ten states to join Florida in waiving weight and driver restrictions to move goods more quickly into the state, including fuel.

Sen. Nelson calls on Dept. of Energy to help address Florida's gas shortage

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Sen. Bill Nelson today sent the following letter to Dept. of Energy Secretary Perry regarding Florida’s gas shortage.
Following is the text of Nelson’s letter to the Dept. of Energy:

September 11, 2017

The Honorable Rick Perry
Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Perry:
I write today regarding the gasoline shortages that occurred in Florida prior to landfall of Hurricane Irma, and are likely to persist in the days and weeks that follow.
I appreciate efforts taken to date by the Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to try to expedite the flow of gasoline shipments into Florida in the wake of the storm. At least some of these efforts, however, appear to have been hampered by the apparent lack of adequate gasoline reserves in Florida prior to the storm.
Unfortunately, this was also the case in the Northeast U.S. after Superstorm Sandy – where some communities waited weeks for gasoline shipments after the storm. These shortages hampered relief and recovery efforts in many communities. In response, the Department created a Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR) in 2014 to ensure an emergency gasoline supply for future natural or man-made disasters in that region.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, I urge you to consider using your authority to create a similar gasoline supply reserve for the State of Florida. A Florida Gasoline Supply Reserve would ensure that residents and first responders have access to an emergency supply of fuel, and help prevent the shortages that may have kept some from evacuating and may hinder recover efforts going forward.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Nelson calls on FEMA to help address growing gas shortage

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Sen. Bill Nelson today asked the head of FEMA to help address South Florida’s growing shortage of gasoline.
“As a growing number of Floridians are being ordered to evacuate, we need to ensure that these evacuees have access to the gasoline they need to escape this approaching storm,” Nelson wrote in a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long. “I strongly urge FEMA to use all available resources and authorities to assist those evacuating this potentially catastrophic storm, including pre-positioning fuel supplies near and along evacuation routes so those running low on fuel can obtain an emergency supply to get them out of harm’s way.”
Following is the text of Nelson’s letter to FEMA:

September 6, 2017

The Honorable William B. Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Long:
As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida’s coast, I’m asking for your help to address a growing gasoline shortage in South Florida. According to published reports, one out of every four gas stations along Florida’s east coast – from Miami to West Palm Beach – are out of fuel. And several other stations in the area have only a limited supply of gasoline left.
As a growing number of Floridians are being ordered to evacuate, we need to ensure that these evacuees have access to the gasoline they need to escape this approaching storm. In 2005, we saw thousands of people stuck on the side of the road as they tried to leave Houston during Hurricane Rita. We cannot allow this to happen again.
I strongly urge FEMA to use all available resources and authorities to assist those evacuating this potentially catastrophic storm, including pre-positioning fuel supplies near and along evacuation routes so those running low on fuel can obtain an emergency supply to get them out of harm’s way.
Finally, I have asked the Federal Trade Commission to monitor reports of fuel price gouging to make sure Floridians are not being taken advantage of, and I would ask that FEMA also do what it can to assist Floridians at this vulnerable time.
Thank you in advance for your prompt response to this urgent request.

Sincerely,