HARRISBURG, PA — The Department of Environmental Protection announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given authorization to grant two kinds of temporary fuel waivers due to fuel shortages from Hurricane Sandy.

DEP requested on November 3 that EPA waive the federal requirements on the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel in mobile non-road generators and pumps as well as the requirements for diesel-powered highway and other equipment needed for emergency response and disaster recovery.

“Because of the widespread effects of Hurricane Sandy, there is an insufficient amount of this fuel in Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “These waivers are necessary to avoid fuel disruptions and continue everyone’s ongoing storm recovery efforts.”

The waivers allow, with DEP approval, the use of heating oil in diesel-powered, on-road vehicles involved in emergency response efforts in Pennsylvania. The waivers also allow the use of heating oil supplies for generators and other off-road equipment. DEP approval is not required for that use.