The Ohio Propane Gas Association and several other associations applauded Governor DeWine and the members of the Ohio Legislature who supported House Bill 201, which prevents municipal bans on the delivery of propane and natural gas to existing homes and businesses across Ohio.

Ohio becomes at least the 17th state to pass similar pro-consumer and pro-energy legislation.

Focusing on how this bill will benefit consumers through continued access to propane, Ohio Propane Gas Association Executive Director Derek Dalling, said: “The Ohio Propane Gas Association is grateful for all of the support for this important legislation that allows Ohio consumers to continue to have the ability to choose the energy source that best meets their needs. We all want to improve the environment for future generations, and we can do that through a responsible combination of energy choices, which includes propane – a clean, affordable, and reliable energy source for rural Ohioans.”

Discussing how this legislation will help businesses have certainty in the energy they need to operate, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants President and CEO Gordon Gough added, “We applaud the passage of HB 201 as it provides businesses and consumers with greater certainty in their energy choices. We commend the efforts of the bill sponsors and the strong support from the General Assembly. Additionally, we thank Governor DeWine for signing this crucial piece of legislation into law.”

Ohio Homebuilders Association Executive Vice President Vincent Squillace said: “HB 201 will assure home owners and buyers the right to select a home with appliances powered by the power source of their choice. Prospective buyers overwhelmingly select homes heated by gas as the wisest choice.  Homeowners need not fear that local government will force costly removal of water heaters, furnaces, gas logs and outdoor grills imposed by municipal bans on certain fuel choices.”

Discussing how this legislation will ensure small businesses, families and consumers maintain choice in how they cook and heat, Midwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association MidStates Executive Director Erica Geil said: “Hearth, Patio and Barbecue would like to thank Governor DeWine for signing House Bill 201 sponsored by Representative Stephens. This bill will protect the gas fireplace and barbecue industry and consumers by ensuring consistent regulations throughout the state, giving consumers a choice in the fuels they use to cook and heat, and keeping hearth and barbecue companies in business.”

Paul Talboo with the Gas Workers Union Local G-555, “This legislation will allow responsible gas companies and unions, like the Utility Workers Union of America, to show that we can be a part of a balanced energy future for Ohio through innovation, increased efficiency, carbon capture and sequestration, infrastructure improvements, and investment in clean and renewable energy generation,” he said.

To aid in the relief effort, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hereby grants regulatory relief from the hours-of-service requirements pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4923.02(C) and Rule 4901:2-5-05(A)(3) of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) for the intrastate transportation of relief supplies including consumer goods and medical supplies. The regulatory relief granted in this notice pertains only to the hours-of-service regulations found in 49 C.F.R. Section 395.3.
 
Rule 4901:2-5-05(A) of the Ohio Administrative Code, provides for regulatory relief for motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce during a time of emergency. On November 4, 1999, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio adopted and approved a "Policy for Regulatory Relief in Emergency Situations" to implement this rule.
 
The regulatory relief exempting motor carriers from hours-of-service requirements granted in this notice does not alter a motor carrier's duty to monitor its drivers; maintain records of duty status, and ensure drivers are not ill, fatigued, impaired, or otherwise unable to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. This regulatory relief does not provide an exemption from the commercial driver's license requirements (refer to 49 C.F.R. Part 383), the controlled substance and alcohol use and testing requirements (refer to 49 C.F.R. Part 382) and/or the financial responsibility (insurance) requirements adopted by the Commission.
 
Unless otherwise directed, drivers must keep a written or electronic copy of this notice in each vehicle affected by this grant of regulatory relief. This regulatory relief will not apply to vehicles that do not have a copy of this notice.
 
This grant of regulatory relief is effective immediately and expires at 11:59 PM, March 27, 2020.
 
Once this grant of regulatory relief expires, drivers must comply with the off duty requirements in 49 C.F.R. Section 395.3 concerning 60/70 hour rules, or take a 34 hour restart, to return to active duty status.
 
I encourage all operators with Ohio intrastate authority to identify and communicate other actions that they believe should be taken to facilitate efforts to address, for the benefit of Ohio’s citizens, the risks associated with COVID-19. All such suggested actions should be communicated directly to me as soon as possible using my e-mail address which is john.williams@puco.ohio.gov.
 
I also encourage all operators with Ohio intrastate authority to educate themselves about strategies to manage the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 and share this information with others. In this regard, the Ohio Department of Health’s website provides some very useful and common sense information at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov.
 
Please contact the PUCO Transportation Department at (614) 466-0369 with questions regarding this matter.
 
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Among the many highlights of the 2017 Annual OPGA Summer Convention was the presentation of the first OPGA Legislators of the Year Awards.  The awards were presented to State Senator Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville) and State Senator Sean O'Brien (D-Youngstown) for their leadership and assistance to the Ohio propane industry.  The awards were presented by OPGA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Buschur and Immediate Past President Brian Buschur.