As we saw with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017, disruptions to the fuel supply system can have significant impacts on daily life not only for those in the affected area, but for the entire Nation. Recent emergency preparedness exercises that industry, DOE, and other government entities have conducted and participated in also show that potential events such as a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and tsunami in the pacific northwest or a New Madrid earthquake in the Mississippi Valley could be serious enough that government actions would be needed to help restore petroleum supplies to directly impacted states, as well as other regions along the supply chain. Clearly, there is a strong need for practical planning to minimize disruptions to energy supplies, mitigate the impact of disruptions, and accelerate restoration of the system.
I am pleased to announce that one of our long-time partners – the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) – yesterday released its Guidance for States on Petroleum Shortage Response Planning. With funding from my office, Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER), NASEO developed the Guidance for States on Petroleum Shortage Response Planning as a resource to assist states in updating their petroleum shortage response plans. It provides draft executive orders, model planning language, and best practices for coordination during a response. State energy officials can use the guide as they navigate the process of creating or updating state petroleum response plans in collaboration with the private sector.
This guide responds to the need identified by states and others for improved planning and mitigation in the petroleum area, and is a critical part of enabling coordination among state agencies, interstate and regional organizations, and private sector energy providers that produce, transport, and distribute petroleum products in all states and regions. Further, in partnership with the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and with our support, NASEO hosted a Petroleum Shortage Response Planning Workshop for states in the southeast and south-central regions last week to explore how states might develop more comprehensive plans to respond to fuel shortages.
The Guidance for States on Petroleum Shortage Response Planning is a very important resource that will help states be better prepared for what may come next. We are proud to partner with NASEO on this important effort and look forward to our continued close collaboration on helping communities across America plan and implement strong, effective energy assurance measures.
To learn more about our State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Energy Assurance Program, visit the recent SLTT Year in Review.
