MADISON (NBC 26) -- Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order Wednesday declaring an energy emergency.
According to the Governor's office, Evers signed Executive Order #56 due to the sharp increase in demand for propane. The Governor's order cites a late corn harvest and the sudden cold snap as reasons for the demand.
The order states the corn harvest in Wisconsin is more than two weeks behind schedule due to late planting and wet weather, resulting in an increased need to dry corn with propane.
Additionally, about 250,000 people in Wisconsin depend on propane for home heating, the order states, and demand for home heating fuel is high due to recent weather conditions. Parts of Wisconsin saw snowfall Tuesday morning.
According to language in the order, the Governor is issuing a waiver of hours of service for commercial drivers transporting propane.
Read the full order here.
