Emergency declared for energy shortage

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Gov. Susana Martinez declared as state of emergency Thursday as arctic temperatures and unprecedented demand for gas and electric heat left thousands of consumers without basic utilities.

Early Thursday afternoon Martinez signed two executive orders, one declaring the emergency and the second lifting limits on the number of hours propane-delivery drivers can work.

Martinez earlier had ordered thermostats lowered in all state buildings and sent non-critical state workers home to help conserve energy supplies. She also urged New Mexicans to lower their thermostats to reduce energy demand.

In an afternoon news conference in Albuquerque, a Gas Company of New Mexico official said the extreme weather conditions may affect gas deliver for another day or two. He also said the company expected demand to rise, but the below-zero temperatures and power brownouts in west Texas combined to reduce natural gas pressure in New Mexico.

When pressure drops below certain levels, gas in those areas must be shut off for the safety of the system, he said.

Communities from Taos to Bernalillo to Alamogordo reported gas outages Thursday.  El Paso Electric Company also initiated rolling blackouts throughout its service area.

This is the text of the governor's orders:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-010

LIQUID PETROLEUM EMERGENCY DECLARATION

WHEREAS, the uninterrupted supply of liquid petroleum gas to residential and commercial establishments is an essential need of the public during the winter and any interruption threatens public welfare; and

WHEREAS, the continued period of cold weather has increased demand for the above referenced fuel and threatened uninterrupted delivery to residential and commercial customers; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR 390, et seq., limit the hours operators of commercial motor vehicles may drive; and

WHEREAS, 49 CFR 390.23 allows the Governor of a State, having the authority to declare emergencies, to suspend these rules and regulations for up to 30 days.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby make an emergency declaration, within the meaning of 49 CFR 390.23, for the limited purpose of suspending the federal rules and regulations that limit the hours operators of commercial vehicles may drive, in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of liquid petroleum gas throughout New Mexico. This emergency justifies a suspension of Part 395 (drivers’ hours of service) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The suspension shall remain in effect for 7 days from the date of this Order or until the emergency condition ceases to exist, whichever is less. Nothing herein shall be construed as an exemption from the Commercial Driver’s License Requirements in 49 CFR 383, the financial requirements in 49 CFR 387, or applicable federal size and weight limitations.

It is further ordered that no motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency declaration shall require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies a motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty before the driver is required to return to service.

It is further ordered that this Order does not suspend the operation of any state or federal laws or regulations within the state of New Mexico except as specifically described in the Order. All other laws and regulations remain in full force and effect.

THIS ORDER supersedes any other previous orders, proclamations, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

ATTEST

DIANNA J. DURAN
SECRETARY OF STATE

SIGNED AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2011.

WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOVERNOR

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EXECUTIVE ORDER 2011-011

DECLARING AN EMERGENCY STATEWIDE
DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER

 

WHEREAS, Counties and Municipalities statewide have been impacted by extreme cold weather occurring February 1, 2011, and continuing; and

WHEREAS, the impacted communities have taken all actions within their power to provide for public health and safety; and

WHEREAS, this emergency requires impacted communities to undertake extraordinary measures to protect the health and safety and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, this emergency is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and requires the resources of the State to avoid or minimize economic or physical harm and to take action necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Susana Martinez, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby declare a State of Emergency to exist statewide