DOE Releases 100,000 Barrels of Diesel to Connecticut Following Sandy

The Department of Energy is releasing 100,000 barrels of diesel fuel to the state of Connecticut as part of the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.

Separately, New Jersey ended its odd-even gasoline rationing Tuesday morning, the Associated Press reported. Rationing begun late last week continues in New York City and on Long Island.

DOE released the diesel via the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency, which will provide emergency loans to fuel distributors in Connecticut to address fuel shortages in the state

The move follows President Obama’s declaration that Hurricane Sandy has “created a severe energy supply interruption” and directed that DOE loan DOD ultra-low sulfur diesel from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.

“This latest announcement is part of the broader federal effort to respond to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy and the more recent nor’easter storm,” DOE Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement.

The two departments “stand ready to make available additional fuel as needed,” DOE said in a statement.