U.S. May Extend Trucker Hours to Refill Tanks at Gas Stations

April 28 (Bloomberg) — The U.S. Transportation Department may relax rules that limit the hours tanker truck drivers can work, after fuel-delivery problems caused filling stations to run out of gasoline.

Some service stations in Texas and eastern states including Pennsylvania and Maryland ran out of fuel this month as they emptied their tanks to prepare for new blends that contain the additive ethanol. Shortages also came when suppliers diverted trucks to pick up shipments of ethanol, an additive that must be blended with gasoline at regional terminals.

New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman, the ranking Democrat on the Senate energy committee, and some states have asked the Transportation Department to extend driver hours, department spokesman Robert Johnson said.

“We are evaluating those requests at this time,” Johnson said yesterday. “In the administration’s effort to help relieve the pain at the pump for consumers, we are considering all options at this point.”

Bloomberg