[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[December 30, 2000]
[Page 2815]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Keeping the Heating Fuel Distribution System Open
December 30, 2000

Memorandum for the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Transportation, 
Commandant of the United States Coast Guard

Subject: Keeping the Heating Fuel Distribution System Open

    When inclement weather strikes and the demand for heating fuel 
rises, the distribution system through which fuel is delivered is often 
placed at great strain. Freezing harbors delay the delivery of critical 
fuel supplies, and the demand for heating fuel deliveries rises, 
increasing workload of drivers who deliver fuel to homes and businesses. 
Last winter, for example, critical deliveries of heating oil were 
delayed as harbors froze and barges were unable to reach their docks.
    In order to minimize the likelihood of bottlenecks in the heating 
fuel distribution system, I direct the Secretaries of Energy and 
Transportation to work together and take all reasonable measures to keep 
the harbors open and the delivery trucks on the roads. If shipping 
channels freeze, the Coast Guard shall be prepared to keep them open to 
the extent possible. The Department of Transportation shall inform State 
and local governments and private companies as appropriate about the 
criteria and procedures for obtaining waivers from hours of service 
regulations in order to increase trucking capacity for emergency fuel 
deliveries and shall respond to such requests as quickly as possible.
    Finally, the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Emergencies 
shall coordinate closely with the Department of Transportation's 
Emergency Transportation Representative to address any other 
transportation problems as they arise in order to keep heating fuel 
moving through the distribution system to the consumer.

                                                      William J. Clinton