Gov. Larry Rhoden is issuing a 14-day executive order lifting hours of service limits on fuel deliveries.
Officials say the waiver addresses supply shortages reported in the state by businesses and residents.
Nathan Sanderson, with South Dakota Retailers, said the state is one of the last stops for crucial fuel pipelines. He said the Great Plains region experiences higher fuel demand farmers are in the field—typically spring and fall.
“Because South Dakota is at the end of those fuel pipelines there can sometimes be shortages, or periods of time when fuel isn’t always available," Sanderson said. "These hours-of-service waivers are designed to acknowledge that. There could be long wait periods for fuel tankers to fuel up in order to get that fuel to a retail location.”
State officials say even though hours of service limits have been temporarily suspended for commercial deliveries, companies may not require or allow fatigued drivers to make deliveries.
Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas have similar waivers in place. The executive order expires at midnight on May 29.
