A diesel fuel disruption is causing the city of Cincinnati to cut back.The city is taking immediate action to conserve the supply so it does not run out.It’s needed for everything from fire department emergency vehicles to snowplows.The city said there is no reason for residents to be alarmed.Officials said every step they’re taking is a precaution because of distribution issues, but we couldn’t get anyone to say it in an on-camera interview on Thursday.We depend on city services every day.From the Cincinnati Fire Department to, in the near future, snow removal by Cincinnati Public Services as winter weather moves in for the season.But a new Nov. 15 memo we obtained from City Hall shows a diesel supply and demand dilemma is kicking conservation efforts into high gear.Officials said there is a distribution disruption impacting several states.They said that in Ohio two refineries are performing maintenance and that is cramping production and impacting suppliers including the city of Cincinnati’s, Hightower Petroleum.The memo said having shutdowns at both refineries at once is unprecedented.Officials also said labor shortages have added to the issue.The city manager has instructed departments to outline how they’ll use diesel fuel from now until January 2022, determine essential and non-essential uses and provide a report.That was due by Nov. 16, according to the memo.The memo also said the city has enough reserves for about three weeks of city services, but said that doesn’t account for how much is needed if there’s snow or flooding.It usually has a month’s worth for emergencies, the document noted.The city also said a priority is placed on functions that impact health and safety including Cincinnati Fire Department vehicles, water and sewer repair and maintenance services, snow removal vehicles and garbage collection vehicles.A Cincinnati police spokeswoman told WLWT that diesel is only used for SWAT vehicles which aren’t used every day.The memo also said effective immediately, city vehicles using diesel should not be used for non-essential travel, among other measures for conservation.A city spokeswoman told WLWT the refinery maintenance typically takes about 30 days and they expect the supply to increase sometime the week after Thanksgiving.The spokeswoman also said they are still getting some fuel.Our numerous requests to the city for an on-camera interview on this matter were declined.We also heard back from one of the refineries the city mentioned in its memo.A spokesman for Husky Marketing and Supply Company in Lima, Ohio, and Cenovus Energy, Inc., provided a statement that said, “The Lima Refinery undertook planned preventative maintenance earlier in the fourth quarter, which is now nearing completion.Planning for this major maintenance program began more than a year ago. During such planned maintenance programs, the company develops supply plans to meet its obligations.”
A diesel fuel disruption is causing the city of Cincinnati to cut back.
The city is taking immediate action to conserve the supply so it does not run out.
It’s needed for everything from fire department emergency vehicles to snowplows.
The city said there is no reason for residents to be alarmed.
Officials said every step they’re taking is a precaution because of distribution issues, but we couldn’t get anyone to say it in an on-camera interview on Thursday.
We depend on city services every day.
From the Cincinnati Fire Department to, in the near future, snow removal by Cincinnati Public Services as winter weather moves in for the season.
Officials said there is a distribution disruption impacting several states.
They said that in Ohio two refineries are performing maintenance and that is cramping production and impacting suppliers including the city of Cincinnati’s, Hightower Petroleum.
The memo said having shutdowns at both refineries at once is unprecedented.
Officials also said labor shortages have added to the issue.
The city manager has instructed departments to outline how they’ll use diesel fuel from now until January 2022, determine essential and non-essential uses and provide a report.
That was due by Nov. 16, according to the memo.
The memo also said the city has enough reserves for about three weeks of city services, but said that doesn’t account for how much is needed if there’s snow or flooding.
It usually has a month’s worth for emergencies, the document noted.
The city also said a priority is placed on functions that impact health and safety including Cincinnati Fire Department vehicles, water and sewer repair and maintenance services, snow removal vehicles and garbage collection vehicles.
A Cincinnati police spokeswoman told WLWT that diesel is only used for SWAT vehicles which aren’t used every day.
The memo also said effective immediately, city vehicles using diesel should not be used for non-essential travel, among other measures for conservation.
A city spokeswoman told WLWT the refinery maintenance typically takes about 30 days and they expect the supply to increase sometime the week after Thanksgiving.
The spokeswoman also said they are still getting some fuel.
Our numerous requests to the city for an on-camera interview on this matter were declined.
We also heard back from one of the refineries the city mentioned in its memo.
A spokesman for Husky Marketing and Supply Company in Lima, Ohio, and Cenovus Energy, Inc., provided a statement that said, “The Lima Refinery undertook planned preventative maintenance earlier in the fourth quarter, which is now nearing completion.
Planning for this major maintenance program began more than a year ago. During such planned maintenance programs, the company develops supply plans to meet its obligations.”
