As propane crisis persists, officials spread word about assistance
Published 10:13 am Friday, January 31, 2014
Matt Kaster fills a tanker with propane at the Dexter Elevator in Dexter recently. At one point, propane reached $5.09 per gallon in the area.
Matt Peterson/matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com
The State Emergency Operations Center has established a public hotline for Minnesotans with propane issues or questions. The Hotline will operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Minnesota residents with questions about the current propane situation or who are in danger of running out of heating fuel can call 800-657-3504 in greater Minnesota.
In recent weeks propane prices skyrocketed after reports of shortages in the Midwest because of extreme cold and difficulty bringing more fuel to the area. For example, Dexter Elevator Company in Dexter, Minn., was forced to charge $5.09 per gallon as recent as Monday. That price has since dropped to $3.66 as the outcry about propane prices spreads across the country. Many rural residents were first surprised when they had to pay more than $2 per gallon, as they had rarely seen that.
Gov. Mark Dayton declared a State of Peacetime Emergency in Minnesota on Monday in response to the persistent cold weather and the increased risk that households may run out of heating fuel, a situation that would pose an immediate threat to public safety.
Last week, Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, began discussion with other senators and Dayton to correct the issue. Sparks can be reached at 651-296-9248, or sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn. On Thursday, Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, also released a statement encouraging homeowners to seek that same energy assistance and said people may contact her at 651-296-4193 or rep.jeann.poppe@house.mn regarding their concerns.
According to the SEOC, consumers who use propane should still conserve as much energy as possible, check on family, friends, neighbors and call 911 in a crisis. The organization also urges safety as many people turn to alternative heat sources, such as electric and oil-filled heaters.
To find a list of local service providers and information on applying for the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program, you can call 1-800-657-3710, 651-539-1882 or visit the Energy Assistance section of the Division of Energy Resources website: www.mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumers/Heating-Assistance.
