Propane Shortage Continues as Arctic Chill Returns

As arctic temperatures once again make their way into our area, some folks may be having a hard time getting what they need to heat their homes.

For those who use liquid propane for heating, shortages have reportedly caused local suppliers to start rationing the amount of the fuel residents can buy at one time. Eric Gibson, General Council for United Propane Gas, said UPG is limiting orders to residential customers, and that they have suspended all commercial agricultural deliveries.

"We are limiting our residential customers to 250 gallons per delivery, and delivery every 20 days. For our commercial agricultural customers, we have suspended deliveries to them." Gibson said.

Gibson noted several factors that have led to the supply and distribution issues.

"The supply issue is widespread, and it's not just because of the cold weather," Gibson said. "There are a number of factors that have come together that have basically resulted in the supply and distribution issues that the industry is facing at this point."

According to Gibson, frosty temperatures are compounding an already precarious supply situation, for which farming and global economics may be just as much to blame.

"One of the big issues is last fall's corn harvest was abundant, and so there was more propane needed to dry that grain," Gibson said. "One of the other issues that has been going on in the last six months or so, is the fact that there has been larger than normal exporting of propane to Europe, Asia and other continents." Gibson said these factors are affecting not only our region, but the industry as a whole.

As the mercury dips down once again into the single digits, Gibson said conservation and the use of supplemental heat sources can help alleviate some of the problems for LP gas users.

"Just try and conserve what supply of propane you do have," Gibson said. "If it comes to the point where people are needing to, they can go out and purchase electric heaters that will help supplement any gas heat that they might have. Just overall, conserve the supply that you have."