Washington, DC - Congressman Dave Loebsack and a bipartisan coalition of Midwestern lawmakers today sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Committee leadership to request a hearing that would examine the current propane shortage crisis, the long term outlook of Midwestern supply and potential solutions to the problem. Propane prices have risen dramatically in the last month, causing significant hardships for families who use propane to heat their homes. Representatives who signed the letter include Walz (MN-01), Braley (IA-01), King (IA-04), Bustos (IL-17), Enyart (IL-12), McCollum (MN-04), Nolan (MN-08), Peterson (MN-07), Fortenberry (NE-01), Cramer (ND-00), Noem (SD-00), Ribble (WI-08), and Kind (WI-03).
"The sudden increase in the price of propane, combined with an extremely cold winter is wreaking havoc on many Iowans' pocketbooks this winter," said Congressman Loebsack. "I am very concerned about the surge in prices and the reason for such a great disparity in propane prices across the country. This is another expense Iowans cannot afford. The Energy and Commerce Committee needs to immediately look into the reason for this shortage and figure out a way to address the sure in price."
"As Members representing the Midwest, we respectfully write today to request a hearing into the current propane shortage, the long term outlook of Midwestern supply and potential solutions to the problem," the Members write in the letter. "As you may know, households and businesses across the Midwest have seen significant spikes in the price of propane fuels during the severe winter cold. Any further reduction in supply threatens to leave our constituents without the fuel necessary to heat their homes and to keep livestock and poultry barns warm."
Full text of the letter can be seen here.
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