TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy has declared a statewide State of Emergency to begin Friday morning as New Jersey braces for propane supply disruptions tied to a service outage at a major Pennsylvania distribution plant.
The declaration, issued through Executive Order No. 408, takes effect at 9 a.m. and temporarily lifts certain transportation limits on propane delivery drivers.
Officials said the move is intended to safeguard heat access for roughly 186,000 residents who rely on propane during the winter season.
Propane delivery hours expanded statewide
Under the order, commercial drivers transporting propane may now operate up to 14 hours per shift, extending the usual federal limit of 11 hours. Drivers are still required to take 10 consecutive hours off between driving periods.
The emergency measure follows a service disruption at a major distribution facility in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, which supplies propane to multiple East Coast states. New Jersey officials said the outage could delay deliveries during a period of falling temperatures and high demand.
Governor urges residents to stay informed
Governor Murphy said the order ensures residents and businesses can maintain reliable heating while distribution chains stabilize. “As temperatures continue to drop, ensuring that every person has access to a safe, warm environment is essential,” Murphy said in a statement.
Executive Order No. 408 will remain in effect until state officials determine the emergency no longer exists. Residents can visit ready.nj.gov for safety updates and NJ211 for local resources and warming center information.