Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 191: State of Emergency resulting from natural gas supply shortage

Date: 01/15/1980
Issuer: Edward J. King
Mass Register: No. 245

Table of Contents

WHEREAS, on January 13,1981, I proclaimed a state of energy emergency because the Commonwealth is experiencing a severe natural gas energy supply interruption due to the unusually cold winter weather; and

WHEREAS, a natural gas supply shortfall is imminent and likely to be significant in scope and duration and of an emergency nature; and

WHEREAS, the natural gas shortfall could potentially cause major adverse impact on public health, safety, and welfare and the regional economy;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Edward J. King, Governor of the Commonwealth, acting under the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate under the Massachusetts Constitution, including without limitation, Massachusetts Const. Amend. Art. 47, G.L. c.25A, and Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950, as amended, including without limitation, Sections 5, 7, 8 and 8A thereof and any other power vested in me under the Constitution of the Commonwealth, or otherwise;

I HEREBY DECLARE that a natural gas energy emergency exists in the Commonwealth and on the recommendation of the Department of Energy Resources, I direct that the following energy conservation measures be undertaken at once.

  1. All schools which are heated by Natural Gas statewide are hereby ordered to close on Friday, January 16, 1981.
  2. All non-residential buildings heated by Natural Gas in the Boston Gas Service Territory are hereby ordered to lower their temperatures to no higher than 55. Nursing homes, hospitals and other congregate facilities for the elderly, infirm, children and the handicapped are exempt from this order.

This Executive Order shall supersede any inconsistent laws or regulations. Because of the nature of the emergency, I find that holding the public hearing required under section 8 of Chapter 25A would be contrary to the public interest and therefore adopt the foregoing requirements as emergency regulations.

This Executive Order shall remain in effect until rescinded or for nine days, whichever is sooner.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 15th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eighty one and of the Independence of the United States of America, two hundred and five.

Edward J. King
Governor

Michael Joseph Connolly
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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