Header, the Administration of the Honorable Lincoln C. Almond
Home buttonMenu item seperator graphicBiography buttonMenu item seperator graphicAccomplishments buttonMenu item seperator graphicContacts buttonMenu item seperator graphicPress releases and speeches buttonMenu item seperator graphicTransmittal messages buttonMenu item seperator graphicExecutive orders buttonMenu item seperator graphicPhotos button
 
 
2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

 		 
Executive Order 00-12
December 19, 2000


RHODE ISLAND CONTINGENCY OIL RESERVE PLAN

WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 460/000 Rhode Islanders rely on oil for heating during the winter months; and

WHEREAS, the demand for all energy use, including oil, is at historically high levels at the state, regional and national levels; and

WHEREAS, the supply of home heating oil maintained in the State of Rhode Island has continually diminished over the last decade; and

WHEREAS, the Rhode Island home heating oil industry now relies upon "Just in Time" inventory practices to supply homes with heating oil, and therefore significant amounts of oil are not stored within the state; and

WHEREAS, the United States Army Corp of Engineers has yet to initiate the dredging of the Providence River necessary to allow for ocean transport ships to deliver oil into Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island oil wholesalers and suppliers are heavily dependent upon barges to transport home heating oil; and

WHEREAS, movement of barges in poor weather conditions is risky and uncertain; and

WHEREAS, the combination of Rhode Island's diminishing inventories of home heating oil and the vulnerability of the supply chain to severe weather places Rhode Island at risk for not having adequate supply of heating oil.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LINCOLN C. ALMOND, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby order as follows:

1. There is established a Rhode Island Contingency Oil Reserve Plan. Through the Department of Administration, the State shall purchase the rights to an amount of oil during the months of January and February 2001 to serve as a reserve supply of oil in the event that commercially available supplies are inadequate. This home heating oil supply shall be maintained in Rhode Island during these months, and it will be an amount in excess of expected operating inventories.

2. The Rhode Island State Energy Office shall monitor the commercial supply of home heating oil throughout the winter heating season, and serve as the primary advisor to the Governor as to Rhode Island's supply of home heating oil.

3. The Governor shall have sole authority to release the reserve supply of oil. This decision shall be made with the guidance of the State of Rhode Island Emergency Energy Plan standards for an oil emergency. Phase One of an oil emergency occurs when there are three days of oil on hand and re-supply is not expected within forty-eight hours. Phase Two of an oil emergency occurs when there is a one-day supply of oil and re-supply is not imminent.

4. The reserve supply of oil is intended solely for the use of the citizens of Rhode Island, and therefore distribution shall be limited to dealer tank wagons registered in Rhode Island, unless otherwise authorized by the State.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall expire April 1, 2001.

So Ordered:


Lincoln Almond
Governor