Key Portion of Portman, Franken and Baldwin Bill to Address Propane Price Spikes Set to Become Law

Statement

Key provisions of a bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to help prevent future propane price spikes is set to become law after clearing the House and Senate.

The legislation that passed is part of a comprehensive bipartisan bill the Senators introduced earlier this year. Last year's propane crisis hit particularly hard because many rural families and farmers in the Midwest are dependent on propane to heat their homes or livestock. Last winter, many of them found themselves in the untenable position of having to choose between purchasing propane at very high prices or going without.

The portion of the bill that is set to become law would give propane distributors additional tools to get their product to consumers when supplies are high and prices are low. Making this fix will help the propane industry curb price spikes, and seeks to prevent another propane crisis like the one that hit families, farmers, and businesses across the Midwest and other parts of the country last winter.

"Last winter's propane shortage caused a tremendous burden for the Ohioans who rely on propane to heat their homes and Ohio livestock operations," said Sen. Portman. "I'm pleased this commonsense legislation is now law so we can be better prepared moving forward."

"When the propane crisis hit last winter, I traveled around Minnesota and heard from families and producers about how much it hurt them," said Sen. Franken, Chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee. "I heard from everyone--from homeowners who couldn't afford to heat their homes to turkey growers struggling to heat their barns. I'm pleased that we were able to get this bipartisan bill across the finish line to help prevent future propane price crises by letting consumers figure out their fuel needs and costs."

"Nearly 250,000 Wisconsin residents and countless businesses throughout my state weathered a severe propane crisis this last winter," said Sen. Baldwin. "I'm proud of the progress we have made on our goal to prevent a future crisis. This bipartisan bill takes commonsense action to help prevent shortages and keep consumer prices down."

The bipartisan measure was also cosponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), David Vitter (R-La.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kelly Ayotte (D-N.H.).

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