SALEM, Ore. (Nov 25, 2025) — Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in response to potential disruptions to Oregon’s fuel supply following the second major shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline in three months.
The pipeline provides more than 90% of the state’s transportation fuel, delivering product to Portland-area terminals that then distribute fuel statewide. Citing ORS 401.165, Kotek determined that a statewide emergency exists due to the disruption of Oregon’s “primary fuel supply system.”
Under Executive Order 25-30, the Governor authorized changes to fuel delivery operations to maintain adequate supply while directing multiple agencies to mobilize.
The order instructs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan as needed, coordinating personnel, equipment and expertise “required to assess, alleviate, respond to, mitigate, and recover from conditions caused by this emergency.”
The Oregon Department of Energy, following ORS 176.809 and the Oregon Fuel Action Plan, will lead Emergency Support to Fuels, manage state coordination with the fuel industry, share information among agencies, and “make recommendations to the Governor’s Office and OEM for any further state response actions, if warranted.”
The Oregon Department of Transportation is directed to provide regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations, including temporary waivers of state-regulated hours-of-service requirements “supporting emergency relief efforts related to the pipeline shutdown” under ORS 823.012.
State officials emphasized that Oregon is not currently facing fuel shortages. The order, they said, is intended to ensure the system remains stable while the pipeline issue is addressed. The Governor’s Office also warned that price gouging during an emergency is illegal, and violations can be reported to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, which has authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.
The emergency order took effect Nov. 24 and will remain in place through Dec. 24 unless extended or terminated earlier.
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