Gov. Scott working to get more fuel for Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is working with the federal government, fuel retailers and oil companies to bring more gasoline into the state in preparation for Hurricane Irma.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 12:50 p.m. September 7, 2017

A state trooper escorts a fuel delivery truck. Photo courtesy of the Governor's Press Office.

Ormond Beach Observer
News

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday he is working to bring more fuel into the state before Hurricane Irma arrives.

Scott has directed state police departments to escort fuel delivery trucks so they can reach gas stations along evacuation routes as quickly as possible. He has also canceled all weight and driver restrictions for highways to expedite the arrival of supplies, and the same restrictions have been waived in the nearby states of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The Environmental Protection Agency also approved an emergency fuel waiver to allow more to enter the state.

So far, emergency fuel contractors have secured 1.5 million gallons of fuel to be delivered. Additional fuel supplies are on standby. A fuel ship is also on its way from Mississippi to the Port of Tampa. Currently, a ship is already there unloading 300,000 barrels of fuel that will be delivered to gas stations in the evacuation zones.