New Jersey has declared a state of emergency as a propane shortage threatens heat for more than 180,000 residents amid a frigid La Niña winter.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the emergency on Friday at 9 a.m. ET, citing a service disruption at a Pennsylvania propane plant that is expected to affect deliveries for both residential and commercial heating.
“As temperatures continue to drop, ensuring that every person has access to a safe, warm environment is essential,” Murphy said. “This declaration ensures that the approximately 186,000 New Jerseyans who rely on propane for home heating can receive it without interruption.”
The executive order temporarily suspends regulations that limit when propane can be delivered, expanding delivery capabilities to keep homes heated. Commercial drivers are allowed to extend their driving hours from 11 to 14 hours per day to meet demand.
The Northeast is experiencing another wave of Arctic air, with temperatures along the Interstate 95 corridor forecasted to be 20 to 30 degrees below average. The current La Niña winter, one of the three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, continues to influence weather patterns across the U.S., with NOAA predicting its effects will persist through December.
Murphy said the state of emergency will remain in effect until officials determine that the threat has passed and propane supplies are stabilized.