Propane shortage prompts emergency declaration
At the request of Gov. JB Pritzker, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a regional emergency declaration to help keep homes warm and to dry wet grain.
Illinois is one of seven states now under the disaster declaration, which permits the transportation of propane, natural gas and heating oil used for heating homes and businesses and drying wet grain.
Demand is high and supplies are low due to delivery issues caused by early winter weather conditions and high moisture grain.
“Farmers are struggling to dry high moisture grain caused by wet weather and delayed harvest,” said John Sullivan, the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“Propane is an essential fuel for corn dryers in Illinois and across the Midwest. 2019 has already been a stressful growing and harvest season for farmers. Governor Pritzker, as well as the Illinois Propane Gas Association have made sure we have the resources to help farmers with this declaration.”
Those who use propane and fuel oil to heat their homes also are at risk in a shortage, particularly with the early onset of winter temperatures.
Other states that are affected by the emergency declaration include: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.