Walker Pledges More Money To Help With Propane Shortage

Gov. Scott Walker has pledged more money for low-income residents and propane dealers to help cope with a propane shortage in Wisconsin.

Walker called for an addition $7 million on Monday, which in addition to the $1.5 million he pledged on Friday, makes for a total of $8.5 million. Beyond that, Walker said the state would offer a separate $8 million of credit so that dealers have the cash they need to keep their customers supplied.

“Our goal with these proposals — with these actions, not just proposals, we’re going to take action — is to make sure that if we have propane anywhere in or near the state of Wisconsin, we want to get it to where it’s needed. And that’s in the tanks of the end users all across the state,” said Walker.

The governor made his announcement flanked by representatives of the propane industry, including Gary France, who runs France Propane Services in Schofield and is also the national chairman of the National Propane Gas Association.

“Most of us are small-business people, and we want to run without a whole lot of government regulation,” said France. “But at the same time, we have to treat this as something that’s an energy that keeps peoples’ houses warm.”

In addition to the Walker’s moves on Monday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, sent a letter to President Barack Obama calling on him to moderate exports of petroleum in order to increase the supply here.

Increased exports, a frigid winter and pipeline issues are among some of the factors blamed for the propane shortage this year.