Imagine waking up to a freezing home in the dead of winter, only to realize your heat won’t turn on because of a fuel shortage. This is the chilling reality thousands of New Jerseyans could face this December, but Governor Phil Murphy is taking bold action to prevent it. On December 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., New Jersey will officially enter a State of Emergency due to a major disruption at a propane distribution plant in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, threatening the delivery of propane for both residential and commercial heating. But here’s where it gets critical: Executive Order No. 408 (https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-408.pdf) has been issued to waive hours-of-service regulations for propane transport, ensuring that the 186,000 households relying on this fuel stay warm.
Governor Murphy emphasized, ‘With temperatures dropping, it’s our duty to ensure every New Jerseyan has access to a safe, warm home. This order expands delivery capabilities, keeping families secure during this crisis.’ But here’s the part most people miss: under this order, commercial drivers transporting propane can extend their driving time from 11 to 14 hours, though they must still take 10 consecutive hours off between shifts. This federal waiver, activated during a State of Emergency, is a lifeline for those dependent on propane.
And this is where it gets controversial: while the extended driving hours aim to prevent a heating crisis, some argue it could lead to driver fatigue and safety risks. What do you think—is this a necessary trade-off? Let us know in the comments.**
Executive Order No. 408 will remain in effect until the emergency is resolved. For those affected, Governor Murphy urges visiting ready.nj.gov (https://www.nj.gov/njoem/) for updates and safety tips, and NJ211 (https://nj211.org/) for resources and warming centers. If you’re using a generator, don’t skip these safety guidelines (https://www.nj.gov/labor/safetyandhealth/assets/PDFs/OPEOSH/Portable%20Generator%20Hazards.pdf) to avoid dangerous mistakes.
To read the full Executive Order, click here (https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-408.pdf). Stay warm, stay safe, and stay informed—this winter, New Jersey is prepared to fight the cold, one propane delivery at a time.
