Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller urges Hoosiers to conserve the amount of propane they are using to heat their homes as supply shortages worsen due to recent winter weather storm conditions.
Zoller said his office is monitoring propane prices and warning consumers to conserve the amount of propane used to heat their homes.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence ordered restrictions on propane transport to be eased through Jan. 31 to help increase Indiana’s supply.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration for the Midwest last Sunday. It covered Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
According to the Indiana Propane Gas Association, the regional emergency declaration meant propane drivers would not be limited by the number of hours they are on the road. This waiver would allow propane drivers to travel farther to get propane, in order to take it back to their state for their customers. This emergency declaration could be in place until next month.
“Consumers have likely noticed the spike in propane prices as the costs of heating their homes have jumped significantly,” Zoeller said. “To help protect consumers from being illegally gouged, our office is closely monitoring the price of propane sold at all levels of the market. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to the current situation so we urge consumers to take adequate precautions now to make sure their homes stay warm during these frigid temperatures.”
Zoeller offered the following tips to consumers who use propane as their primary home heating source:
- Turn down your thermostat and monitor your household’s use of hot water and time cooking using the stove or oven;
- Closely monitor your propane tank’s levels as delayed home deliveries may result from the overall supply shortage;
- If possible, use alternative sources of heat to supplement your household’s use of propane; and
- If you are out of heat, contact the state’s 2-1-1 hotline to connect with local organizations who are providing assistance.
Hoosiers who want to report suspected price gouging can do so by calling the Attorney General’s Office hotline toll-free at 1-866-241-9753 or visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com.
