NPGA and State Associations Collaborate to Support Propane Marketers

(December 2, 2019) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports it has joined with state association leaders to communicate the efforts of the industry to ramp up propane deliveries. The effort is in response to weeks-long high demand for propane across the Midwest. Marketers in the region have been experiencing heavy calls for fuel from both agricultural and residential customers.

NPGA reviews that a wet spring made planting difficult for farmers and caused delays, resulting in a late harvest owing to corn remaining in the field later in the year to mature. Combined with record-setting cold temperatures this fall, some marketers report that over the past few weeks they have sold two to three times more propane than last year.

NPGA and state associations are regularly communicating, sometimes daily, to share information and coordinate outreach to state and federal energy and transportation officials, including governors and congressional representatives. “We have already held multiple discussions with Midwestern energy officials, with the National Association of State Energy Officials, Iowa and Minnesota governors as well as their respective energy, agricultural, and transportation offices, the Association of Oil Pipelines, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and arranged discussion with the Midwestern Governors Association,” NPGA said.

The association added that it and state associations would continue to engage state and federal officials and congressional offices to share the efforts of the propane industry to respond to the dynamic, critical needs of customers. NPGA emphasizes that there is not a propane shortage in the Midwest. Rather, there are limits on the safe transportation of propane from supply points and limits on pipeline capacity. The U.S. is a leading producer of propane and there is more than enough to satisfy customer demand.

On Nov. 1, 2019, the Midwestern and Western Service Centers of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an emergency declaration for a number of states within two FMCSA regions, including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. This waiver is in effect until Nov. 30. State hours of service waivers have also been issued by Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

NPGA reminds industry members to use the Propane Logistics Analysis Network (PLAN), a new centralized tool to help drivers maximize hours of service. More than 400 terminal wait times have been reported from around the country in just a matter of weeks. The tool informs association efforts to seek relief from hours of service requirements. The more information the industry provides, the better the tool becomes. PLAN is available online at plan.npga.org/ and through an update to the NPGAction app.

To download the app, visit the Apple or Google Play stores. Further, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has available a collection of customizable resources for propane marketers through its online Resource Catalog. In August, PERC published a statement on the advisability of filling tanks early this year in anticipation of elevated crop drying demand and the accompanying onset of space heating.

For information regarding hours of service, contact Sarah Reboli, NPGA deputy counsel, regulatory affairs, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.‘; . For information about PLAN, contact Eric Sears, NPGA manager, state association relations, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.‘; .