Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took action last week in an effort to curb potential fuel and gas supply disruptions in Michigan, after an outage at an oil refinery in Illinois. 

Whitmer said she sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency out of precaution. Whitmer also requested an emergency fuel waiver. If granted, the waiver will increase the supply of fuel in Michigan, along with controlling price fluctuations during the refinery outage. 

“Today, I’m taking action to help protect Michiganders from fuel supply disruptions,” Whitmer said. “With hurricane season in full swing and a refinery outage in Illinois, we must ensure we’re taking all the steps necessary to proactively protect Michiganders’ access to fuel for their cars, homes and businesses without delay. That’s why I am dedicated to working with the EPA to keep fuel available and affordable for Michiganders by temporarily removing barriers to ensure an adequate and stable fuel supply. Together, let’s get it done.” 

The Illinois-based ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery suddenly shut down earlier in the summer because of issues caused by severe weather. The outage is estimated to last well into August. 2024’s hurricane season is expected to bring even more shutdowns, as the US is pummeled with severe and dangerous weather. Fuel transports coming from the Gulf region are likely to be affected. 

In Whitmer’s letter to the EPA, she writes: 

“Michigan requests that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issue a waiver regarding reformulated gasoline regulations in Michigan. With a refinery in the region being offline due to unforeseen circumstances, precautionary measures must be taken to contain fuel supply disruptions and potential cost increases across the region.

“My administration has been in close communication with officials in Illinois and other Midwest states since the ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery lost power and went offline on July 15 due to severe weather.

“I respectfully ask that you consider this request, as it has the potential to prevent fuel supply disruptions and reduce or eliminate the potential impact on residents in Michigan across the Midwest.”