After seeing an unusual harvest last fall, the Upper Midwest is now facing the consequences of that crop with a propane shortage throughout the region.
Program coordinator of Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron, and Richland Counties (CACEHR) Jennifer Jennette stated, “This is very serious. We’ve been calling companies and we can’t get propane delivered because there’s such a shortage.”
According to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the Upper Midwest produced a large, wet crop last October which necessitated the use of massive amounts of propane to dry the crop before storage.
That, in addition to the freezing cold weather, along with the temporary shutdown of the Cochin pipeline, and large quantities of propane being exported out the country, has contributed to the shortage. NPGA states that more than 20 percent of total U.S. propane was exported in 2013, up from 5 percent in 2008.
Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Mike Bailey advised that he has been in contact with all of the propane vendors in Richland County, one of which is completely out of its supply.
“We’ve been working to make sure that the customers affected are okay and that is everything is copacetic,” said Bailey. Tuesday night, the EMA contacted the customers to see how they are coping, asking the customers if any of them need to be taken to a shelter. “For those we couldn’t get a hold of, we sent law enforcement officers to their homes to make sure they’re okay, and at this point everyone is accounted for.”
Simon Bowman with AmeriGas (one of Richland County’s propane providers) noted, “[AmeriGas] is currently rationing deliveries to customers in a select few service territories. However, we are working hard to alleviate these supply issues and ensure that all of our customers are taken care of. Our goal is to ensure that everyone stays warm and safe this winter.”
To help speed up propane shipments across the state, Gov. John Kasich issued an emergency declaration on Saturday, Jan. 18.
“The inclement weather is causing longer driving times and working hours, and increased effort to deliver individual loads, making it difficult for propane and heating oil transporters in Ohio to meet demand,” said Kasich.
Thus, the declaration temporarily suspends state and federal regulations on shipping companies and delivery drivers, who will now be able to drive more hours and more consecutive days than they normally would.
Bowman listed some tips on how people can stay warm during the cold winter months and ensure that they get their propane deliveries:
1. Clear snow and ice from around your propane tank, chimneys, flue pipes and vents. Use a broom rather than a shovel, and clear these areas frequently to reduce the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. If pipes freeze and crack, gas can leak out and cause potential danger.
2. Keep a clear path to your propane tank. This will help delivery drivers to get to your tank easily, refill quickly, and get to the next home.
3. Alert snowplow contractors. Make anyone hired to perform snow removal be advised that a propane truck is much wider than your car or pickup. The drive must be plowed out wide enough for the truck to back in. Also remind the plow operator of the presence and location of your tank (whether it is aboveground or underground). Accidental contact of snow removal equipment with tanks could cause a serious safety hazard.
4. Use extreme caution when operating portable generators. Never use a portable generator (gasoline, diesel, or propane) indoors or in enclosed areas. This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death.
5. “Button-up” your home to conserve energy. If you haven’t already done so, check caulking around doors and windows, seal air leaks around openings where plumbing or electrical wiring goes through walls, floors and ceilings, and secure storm windows throughout the house. Conserving energy is a smart thing to do all the time, especially when it is cold.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), Ohio’s residential price of propane averaged $2.99 per gallon for the week ending Jan. 20. That’s the highest price recorded by the agency to date for the state of Ohio. The residential heating oil price, conversely, averaged $4.06 per gallon, according to the Ohio Propane Gas Association*.
Commissioner Ed Olson mentioned HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) as a possible resource for those who are unable to pay their heating bills at this time.
To be eligible, one must belong to a low-income household that is threatened with disconnection of his or her heating source; have already had service disconnected; need to establish new service or pay to transfer service; or have 25 percent or less of the fuel capacity in his or her tank.
Applications for this program are available through CACEHR and will be accepted through March 31. “We have an appointment line where people can schedule an appointment, or if people have a dire emergency we do walk-ins daily at 8 a.m.,” said Jennette.
Appointments can be made by calling the automated appointment line at 1-866-861-6360.
CACEHR is open at Richland Community Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “For those who don’t have heat, we can help by providing fuel oil, propane, wood, electric, gas, any of those heat sources,” said Jennette.
“The inclement weather is causing longer driving times and working hours, and increased effort to deliver individual loads, making it difficult for propane and heating oil transporters in Ohio to meet demand,” said Gov. John Kasich.
