Florida has waived four statutes regulating the sale, storage and distribution of liquid fuels in an effort to shore up supply as the state prepares for landfall from Hurricane Milton.
Florida agriculture commissioner Wilton Simpson signed an emergency order Monday that allows fuel sellers to sell a range of branded and unbranded fuels interchangeably and to blend fuels from multiple suppliers. The rules suspension will extend through 6 December or until rescinded by the commissioner.
The measure will "assist with efforts to ensure adequate distribution and supply of fuel", governor Ron DeSantis (R) said Wednesday.
The state has been escorting fuel trucks to retail stations that have run dry as drivers fill vehicles ahead of the hurricane, which is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or Thursday morning on the west-central coast of Florida.
Because Florida has no refineries, the state must import all its gasoline, diesel and jet fuel by truck and ship, making its fuel supply particularly vulnerable to disruption when when ports and roadways are closed by a storm.
An hours-of-service waiver for truck drivers directly assisting with emergency relief efforts in Florida and other Gulf coast and Atlantic coast states has be in place since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late last month.
