State of Emergency Declared for Louisiana

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
ENERGY EMERGENCY
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Louisiana declares a State of Emergency due to extreme cold temperatures

Gov. Jindal has declared a state of emergency due to the extreme cold temperatures impacting citizens of Louisiana and the rest of the country, according to a statement issued by Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

The emergency order will allow for the uninterrupted delivery of propane and heating fuels across Louisiana and to other states, said the statement.

“Louisiana is a key producer and exporter of propane and heating fuel products.  State agencies are now authorized to take appropriate actions to ensure these products can be delivered in Louisiana and other states,” said the statement.

State offices in 32 Louisiana parishes to remain closed Friday

State offices in 32 Louisiana parishes will remain closed Friday in anticipation of power outages and hazardous driving conditions.

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration announced today that state government offices will be closed on Friday, January 24, in the following parishes across Louisiana where hazardous driving conditions and scattered power outages are forecast for the morning due to a mix of rain and sleet, as well as snow and ice accumulation:

Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, LaSalle, Livingston, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Winn.

National Heating Fuel Shortages

“Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that cold weather led to record-high natural gas storage withdrawals, as well as propane.  These are the largest drawdowns in the 20-year history of the survey and the second time this year the record has been broken. Efforts are underway with the U.S. Department of Energy to acknowledge that emergency conditions could be forming, as consumers and businesses in dozens of state are faced with higher electricity and gas costs due to persistent cold weather,”  said the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) in its latest Statement on Propane Supply, Demand, and Distribution.

Some of the propane gas retailers have run out of supplies in the worst hit areas in the South, East and Midwest, said NPGA.

US-DOT: Current – Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits

In addition to the State of Emergency in Louisiana, numerous other states of emergencies and/or executive orders, wavers and exemptions have been issued  for 33 states in the U.S. South, East and Midwest and District of Columbia, according to the Department of Transportation.

The following Emergencies are currently in effect:

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Southern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.  (Effective Date:  1/21/2014 – In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Eastern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.  (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Midwestern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.   (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Related Links

• Energy Emergency Declared for Alabama January 24, 2014
• Tennessee Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 22, 2014
• Ohio Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 20, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma due to Propane Shortage January 8, 2014