Public Media from Michigan State University

State, homeowners, retailers respond to propane shortage

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Flickr - jackcarrozzo

Thousands of Michiganhouseholds and businesses that use propane gas continue to be squeezed by a shortage of the fuel.

The scarcity stems in part from a large and unusually wet fall harvest.  Farmers who had to dry crops before storage used more of the fuel than usual and lowered reserves.

That shortage has been worsened by our unusually cold winter.

The situation’s led to dramatic fluctuations in propane gas prices, along with concerns about price-gouging and customers going without heat.

Judy Palnau, spokeswoman for the Michigan Public Service Commission, says companies are looking as far as Texas in order to get the supplies needed to make propane. 

Current State’s Kevin Lavery went to DeWitt to talk with resident John Kelly about his situation. Kelly says he does not need propane right now, but that he would be "in a heap of trouble" if he did.

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