Wisconsin’s Reps, Senators Ask for Federal Action On Propane Shortage

Wisconsin’s congressional delegation is waiting for word from the Obama administration after sending a joint letter last Friday asking for help in the propane crisis.

Rob Wicklund says his customers at Dan’s Feed Bin in Superior are worried about the propane emergency. He says they’re trying to figure out how to handle the shortage and what they call “ridiculously” high prices.

“Some companies are limiting you to 200 gallons at a time,” Wicklund said. “A lot of people are resorting to buying electric heaters like I did. I went and bought a couple of electric heaters to stop my furnace from running constantly.”

Wisconsin’s ten-member congressional delegation wants the federal government to act. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse says people have to decide between medications, food and heat for their home.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck time, given the fuel shortage and the huge increase in price,” Kind said. “A lot of families are struggling just to keep the heat going, especially in one of the coldest winters we’ve experienced in our lifetime. So we need to be doing all of the above.”

Already the Obama Administration has eased transportation restrictions and released money for low-income heating fuel assistance, but Kind says propane exports must be stopped now, “especially in light of how much the market has increased for propane in recent days,” he said. “I’m fearful a lot of large private suppliers are taking advantage of this situation by selling those very exorbitant contracts to the highest bidder, many of them are not in the United States.”

Kind says the crisis may get worse before it gets better, with the cold weather in the Deep South creating even more demand for propane.