Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2025) — Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri reintroduced the Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act to exempt propane tanks with a capacity of up to 126,000 pounds from burdensome federal regulations.
In 2006, Congress authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) to identify and regulate high-risk chemical facilities. However, when setting the threshold for regulation, DHS arbitrarily chose a limit of 60,000 pounds for propane — creating an unnecessary and costly burden for propane retailers and users across the country.
Congressman Burlison stated, "This is a classic case of Washington overreach. Small propane businesses in Southwest Missouri and across the country are forced to pass those costs on to American families. These regulations are wasteful, time-consuming and costly. My bill puts policy back in line with reality."
MPGA's Response to the Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act
The Missouri Propane Gas Association (MPGA) applauded Burlison in reintroducing the bill, which is aimed at relieving propane retailers and users from outdated federal regulations that drive up operating costs and hinder supply efficiency.
The bill was filed in Washington on June 13 and would amend current guidelines under the CFATS by raising the reporting threshold for propane storage from 60,000 pounds to 126,000 pounds. The existing 2006 threshold has forced small- and mid-sized propane businesses to invest in costly compliance measures that do not correlate with actual risk.
In a press release, MPGA stated its full support for commonsense legislation that reflects the propane industry's strong safety record and commitment to energy security.
“The Missouri Propane Gas Association is grateful for Congressman Eric Burlison’s Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act,” said MPGA President and CEO Luke Fitzpatrick. “Our industry’s safety record for more than a century underscores a commitment to ensuring product security and compliance with national standards. However, the former CFATS guidelines have arbitrarily designated threshold amounts of reportable propane that do not reflect an accurate risk environment, yet require onerous and expensive investments to comply. H.R. 6022 adjusts that threshold to maintain an appropriate level of oversight without adding unnecessary compliance costs that are ultimately passed on to customers.”
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) also praised the bill: “The National Propane Gas Association commends Congressman Eric Burlison for introducing The Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act. A [Government Accountability Office] study conducted in 2021 has highlighted the duplicative nature of the ... CFATS program. Compliance with these regulations escalates operational expenses for the propane industry, thereby leading to higher costs for end users, particularly those residing in rural communities. Moreover, this program discourages the expansion of on-site propane storage, which could mitigate the risk of potential supply disruptions during peak demand months. The Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act offers a pathway to alleviate CFATS compliance obligations, ease supply chain limitations and bolster energy security in rural America.”
By reducing these barriers, the Propane Accessibility and Regulatory Relief Act helps ensure propane remains an affordable, reliable and accessible energy source for homes, farms and businesses in Burlison's state of Missouri and across the country.
