State AG offers help to Hoosiers facing critical propane shortage

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Greg Zoeller
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced today that his office will assist consumers who face
critically low propane levels and experience supplier issues – especially as temperatures continue to drop.
 
Consumers whose propane tank’s supply is at 10 percent or less and have trouble contacting their supplier, or cannot find an alternative supplier, should contact the attorney general’s office by calling 1-800-382-5516. Zoeller said his staff stands ready to reach out to suppliers on the customer’s behalf to determine the reason for delayed delivery or failure to respond.
 
“The extreme winter conditions and market forces have created substantial problems for Hoosiers who are trying to keep their families warm, but also for the industry trying to meet the needs of their customers,” Zoeller said. “My office is offering to help customers by following up with their propane provider to mediate delivery issues or by ensuring another provider can be a source of temporary supply, if needed. It is our hope these efforts will help ensure Hoosiers have the fuel they need to heat their homes during this weather emergency.”
 
Zoeller is also working with the Indiana Propane Gas Association to keep a pulse on what’s happening in the industry and ensure propane suppliers are treating consumers fairly.
 
Consumers are often required to obtain a written authorization from their propane supplier in order to have a separate company service their tank, but Zoeller said there are exceptions. State law allows customers to bypass the requirement if there is a weather emergency or their regular suppliers fail or are unable to make timely deliveries.
 
Many Indiana propane suppliers currently work with their competitors during emergency situations to ensure customers are not left without a heating source. In the instances where suppliers are unable to work with their customers or competitors to meet an emergency need for propane, the attorney general’s office will investigate with the priority to assist the customer to find a supplier to help.
 
“Indiana propane marketers have been taking extraordinary measures to ensure their customers are being served during this nationwide crisis.  In the rare occurrence where a customer’s needs are unable to be met, we welcome the Attorney General’s involvement to ensure that Hoosiers will stay warm during this brutal winter,” said Scot Imus, Executive Director of the Indiana Propane Gas Association. 
Under the energy emergency declared on Jan. 28, the attorney general’s office can investigate consumer claims of price gouging and if violations are found, seek injunctive relief, consumer restitution and civil penalties. Zoeller’s office is continuously monitoring propane prices at all levels of the market. Zoeller reminded consumers that his office cannot assist with negotiating the price of propane.
Since Dec. 16, the Attorney General’s office has received 290 consumer complaints related to the propane shortage.
Hoosiers who want to report suspected price gouging can file a complaint by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516 to request a complaint form.

 

11 COMMENTS

  1. C&P had a article about this today.

    This is a Federal government level issue which ties into our great globalization economy. Propane is being exported out of this country, “quadruple” from just a couple years back. Cold winter and a so called wet fall grain drying season has cause the so called shortage in the upper portions of the states.

    Solution for this type of issue (this can apply to most commodities that artificial shortages has existed) would be a required xxx amount days reserve that takes this fluctuation (price spikes/lack of availability) out of existence. (I can hear the capitalist now) Suppliers would still get their fair pricing on their product.

  2. I disagree. This issue is not enumerated in the Constitution as a power granted to any part of the Federal government. When such enumerations do not exist such powers belong to the States. This is a State issue and nothing more and if Indiana wants to coordinate supplies with other States that would be within Constitution reason.

    • What Zoeller is doing is fine at the state level. Remember the “National” Oil Reserve that we had back a few years ago? Remember the reason for it? Was that enumerated in the constitution? Globalization has created these artificial shortages, which puts a “permanent fix” at the national level instead of state level for a required reserve.

      Come to mine, does the constitution have a
      enumerated, “business” exportation of commodities trump card over the best of interest of it’s citizens?

      • If tfa is correct it reads like Indiana has good handle on this problem. And as I mentioned, if need be they can establish some type of cooperation with neighboring States. The rush to elevate this to the Federal level is premature.

        Regarding your exportation comment. It reads like you want to dictate to businesses who and how much of their product they can sell.

        • There are areas that “predetermine reserves” should be meet such as “food and energy” that are the best of interest for the nation as a whole. Business should never be superior over our government (which is us as citizens).

          This reminded me of another topic that ties in with this. The boat was missed 40-50 years ago.
          Had the government established a “balanced trade”
          where imports could not be more then our exports.
          (This would had been tough with our imported oil)
          Raw material/commodities imports would had priority over manufactured goods. The wealth of the nation would had stayed here where it belong, and not had build the economy of the likes of China. One day ,it will be regretted when China calls their hand on this country.

    • Sort of reminds one of early 19th century Russia exporting grain while her people were starving.

      ___

      • It is a shame that this energy can not be left here on U.S.A. soil. Extract what is needed (no exports)and stretch this energy for years to come. Once gone, its gone!

    • Good post up PAK,I’ve seen the information before,however noting the fact to some others is quality information for the conjecture of the subject at discussion point taken.

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