B.C. fuel restrictions, provincial state of emergency extended until Dec. 14

In an effort to further conserve B.C.'s fuel supply in the wake of destructive rain storms, the province is extending the 30 litre gas limit at the pumps until December 14th, along with the provincial state of emergency.

By Denise Wong

Posted November 29, 2021 1:41 pm.

Last Updated November 29, 2021 7:57 pm.

B.C.’s south coast will remain under fuel restrictions for two more weeks, as storms continue to hamper the movement of gas across the province.

The measure, which limits non-essential drivers to 30 litres of gas per visit, was first introduced on Nov. 19 after catastrophic flooding shut down major routes in and out Metro Vancouver. The order has been extended until at least Dec. 14.

“This order applies in the Lower Mainland to Hope region, Sea to Sky region, the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island,” Public Safety Minister Farnworth said Monday, adding the storms continue to pose challenges for Trans Mountain and the transportation of fuel across B.C.

“The fuel conservation measures are working,” Farnworth said, asking British Columbians to remain patient.

“We need to stay the course for another two weeks until we have the Trans Mountain pipeline back online. We need to ensure our supply chains and emergency services have the fuel that they need to function.”

Farnworth emphasizes the fuel conservation measures are temporary.

“We will drop these measures as soon as we are able to,” he said. “I also want to assure British Columbians that fuel is coming in by barge and by rail. But for now, until the pipeline supplies are back up and running, we need to stay the course.”

“With the holidays approaching, I understand that people have concerns about being able to travel to see family and friends … We are working to make good progress in repairing travel corridors in the days and weeks. Again, at this time, the priority for fuel needs to be given to commercial and essential vehicles to reconnect communities that have been cut off and to deliver goods and services that we all depend on.”

Energy Minister Bruce Ralston on fuel supply: thanks to everyone's fuel conservation efforts, we've been able to maintain steady supply…says fuel restrictions are being extended due to uncertainty about what Tuesday's storm will mean for roads/rails/pipelines. #bcpoli #BCFloods

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) November 29, 2021

Energy Minister Bruce Ralston says the restrictions have allowed the province to “maintain a steady fuel supply to the region.”

“Retailers acted quickly to manage the fuel restriction order. In some cases, retailers have set an automatic cut off related to the price of the pump, consistent with 30 litres or less of gas. We’ve also seen British Columbians act calmly and rationally at the pumps, taking only what they need when they need it.”

The order includes diesel, but does not include natural gas or heating oil used to heat homes.

Vehicles exempt from gas restrictions:

Emergency service vehicles (fire, police, ambulance and health care including urgent medical treatment)
Public transit vehicles
Commercial transport trucks – critical goods and services (food and beverage, health care, safety)
Refrigerated trucks
Potable water delivery/wastewater service
Grocery delivery
Road repair, maintenance and recovery vehicles/tow trucks
Military vehicles
Critical infrastructure, construction and repair vehicles
Home-care workers
Municipal services vehicles
First Nations government services vehicles
BC Ferries/Coast Guard/tugboats/marine emergency/pilot boats
Canada Post and other couriers/package delivery vehicles
Vehicles for the provision of critical government services
Airport authority vehicles and air travel
Waste disposal/recycling
BC Hydro, Fortis and other heavy-duty and light-duty utility vehicles
Telecommunication repair and installation vehicles
Fuel delivery trucks and boats
School buses
Taxis
Agricultural and farm-use vehicles, including vehicles supporting flood response
Veterinarians supporting flood response
Inter-city buses

On Monday, the province reopened sections of Highways 99 and 3, which were proactively closed Friday ahead of the weekend storm. However, they remain restricted to essential travel only.

B.C. extends provincial state of emergency

The provincial state of emergency due to flooding has also been extended through to the end of day Dec. 14.

“Extending the state of emergency will support the ongoing response and recovery from the widespread damage already caused by flooding while positioning us to take all necessary steps in the days ahead.”

A third storm is expected to bring more heavy rain to the region in the coming days.

Warning there are still “big challenges ahead” in the coming week, he urged British Columbians to pay attention to weather forecasts and road closures.

“Listen to your local governments and authorities, especially if evacuation alerts or evacuation orders are issued. Anyone under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately.”