Pawlenty signs order to ease difficult harvest
Janet Kubat Willette
Date Modified: 11/19/2009 10:34 AM
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Agri News staff writer
ST. PAUL -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed an executive order exempting drivers transporting farm fuels from hours-of-service restrictions.
The exemption applies to drivers hauling diesel fuel, propane and anhydrous ammonia for farm use. It's in effect until Dec. 5 or until the drivers cease providing emergency relief.
The Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, Minnesota Crop Production Retailers and others requested the exemption on Nov. 4.
The exemption is nearly an annual affair, but this year the need is even more acute as wet weather has delayed harvest and wet crops have hiked the demand for dryer gas.
"This year, boy, we really need some help," said Bob Zelenka, executive director of the grain and feed association.
Zelenka said some drivers were waiting five to six hours at distribution points just to get propane. With the growth of on-farm drying, drivers have more places to deliver fuel and they are stretched for time.
"Our members and their customers/farmers have expressed strong concerns about a severe Minnesota propane shortage," Bill Bond, executive director of the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers wrote in a letter to Pawlenty.
In his executive order, Pawlenty said that without relief for drivers, "farmers would not be able to obtain needed supplies of diesel fuel and propane to complete their harvest in a timely manner, resulting in loss of property and resources."
The governor's executive order is expected to increase the availability of propane.
"We're grateful for the governor's order," said Bill Oemichen, Cooperative Network president and CEO. CN was another organization making the emergency request. "It will minimize the potential of high crop losses for Minnesota farmers in this uniquely difficult harvest season."
Drivers operating under the governor's order should carry a copy of the order with them.