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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) today led a letter from the Ohio Congressional House delegation to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx, requesting the agency extend the hours of service emergency exemption, which is set to expire February 11, 2014. The exemption provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicles delivering propane and home heating fuels to affected areas and consumers in Ohio and throughout the Midwest.

“We have experienced extremely cold temperatures this winter, which are not expected to subside any time soon,” said Congressman Latta. “Ohioans are already experiencing the effects of these harsh winter storms, and we must do everything we can to help them protect their lives and livelihoods by getting them the supplies they need to heat their homes and farming operations. An extension of the emergency exemption will enable the delivery of propane to those most in need as quickly as possible.”

In the letter, Congressman Latta also requested that the agency continue to work with other federal agencies, state officials and impacted stakeholders to find a swift and responsible solution that will provide relief to impacted Ohioans. A copy of the letter, which was the result of a meeting the Congressman held with stakeholder representatives yesterday morning, can be found here.