The propane shortage prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency, increasing maximum driving times for drivers carrying propane.
The state of emergency will go into effect at 9 a.m. on December 12 until further notice.
“I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure that the approximately 186,000 New Jerseyans who rely on propane for home heating have uninterrupted access to propane. This executive order expands delivery capabilities to ensure home heating and home safety,” Murphy said in a state news release.
Officials said a power outage occurred on Nov. 21 at an industrial park that produces propane in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. The natural gas refinery is currently open only “intermittently.”
The outages caused significant delays at facilities that deliver propane to trucks, which in turn caused delays at facilities in New Jersey that receive propane.
The state’s release did not name the Marcus Hook building where the outage occurred.
Due to the state of emergency, the maximum driving time for drivers distributing propane was extended from 11 hours to 14 hours. The required off-duty time between driving hours is 10 hours.
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About 186,000 people in New Jersey rely on propane as their primary fuel source for home heating, according to a release from the state.
The emergency comes as New Jersey is set to see temperatures drop below freezing across the state this week.
Through the National Guard, additional supplies, vehicles, equipment and communications support systems will also be deployed to areas affected by insufficient heating.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Phil Murphy declares state of emergency in New Jersey over propane shortage