Cold weather leads to state of emergency in Alabama
Published 8:18 pm Thursday, January 23, 2014
With more cold temperatures threatening Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley on Thursday declared a State of Emergency for all Alabama counties due to the threat of propane gas shortage.
“With life-threatening cold temperatures expected once again, it is important for Alabamians to have the necessary heating resources available for survival,” Bentley said in a statement. “This State of Emergency will help Alabamians have an uninterrupted supply of propane gas and other home heating fuels during this period of winter weather.”
Lows will be in the 20s for the next several nights in north Alabama, possibly going down to single digits by next week. Lows will be in the 20s for the next few nights in Brewton, then after a warmer weekend will drop again next week, possibly to the teens on Tuesday night.
The emergency declaration enables the governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures, including Alabama’s price gouging law. It will also suspend the rules and regulations regarding the purchase and sale of propane gas directed by the propane gas industry, and allow propane tank owners to purchase propane from any company that sells it. To help with the supply and demand of propane gas, the State of Emergency will lift the federal transportation motor carrier laws and allow greater flexibility in the delivery to homes, schools and businesses.