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Gov. Snyder Declares Energy Emergency For Memorial Day Weekend

LANSING (WWJ) - To ensure an adequate supply of gasoline for the upcoming holiday weekend, Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a State of Energy Emergency in Michigan.

According to a release from Snyder's office Tuesday, Executive Order 2016-10 was issued due to the shutdown of a fuel-pipeline in Wisconsin and an unplanned outage of the Marathon refinery in Detroit.

"We want to make sure the fuel Michiganders need for their travels to work, school or a long weekend trip is available," Snyder said. "This executive order will help ensure there are no artificial shortages of fuel impacting the state's residents or visitors."

The executive order suspends state and federal regulations related to hours-of-service for motor carriers and drivers transporting all transportation fuels within Michigan.

To ease the minds of consumers, Anna Heaton with the governor's office wants to stress that this isn't about a shortness of supply.

"By changing the rules that govern truck drivers and how long they can be on the road per day, this will allow them to get through the terminals, get checked out and get that gas where it needs to be so people who go to the pump can get it," she told WWJ's Jason Scott.

But Patrick DeHaan, Senior Analyst for GasBuddy.com, says a supply shortage is reality.

"While I'm hopeful and positive about what the governor is looking at, I don't know that it will have a major impact on gas prices since this is a regional supply crunch, not just a Michigan supply crunch," DeHann said.

The governor's order takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until June 6.

"Our energy experts are telling us that hopefully everything will be better by then," Heaten said. "If it's not, then the governor does have the option to extend it."

In the Detroit area Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of gas is was $2.43.

[CLICK HERE to find the best price near you].

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