Klobuchar, Franken, Hoeven, Baldwin Introduce Senate Legislation to Make It Easier to Transport Propane to Communities Impacted by Ongoing Propane Shortage

Bipartisan bill would extend the hours-of-service exemption until May 31st, allowing truck drivers to work longer hours for the rest of the winter to help transport propane to regions impacted by the shortage; the bill is a companion to House legislation cosponsored by Minnesota Representatives John Kline, Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, and Rick Nolan
 
Legislation would deliver much-needed certainty to hundreds of thousands of households throughout the region that rely on propane as their main source of heat during the winter

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation to make it easier to transport propane to communities impacted by the ongoing propane shortage. The bipartisan bill would extend the hours-of-service exemption until May 31st, allowing truck drivers to work longer hours to help transport propane to regions impacted by the shortage. Legislation would deliver much-needed certainty to hundreds of thousands of households throughout the region that rely on propane as their main source of heat during the winter. The bill is a companion to legislation cosponsored by Minnesota Representatives John Kline, Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, and Rick Nolan that passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week.
 
“With winter weather still bearing down on Minnesota, we need to do everything we can to deliver relief to families who are feeling the impacts of the propane shortage,” Klobuchar said. “By letting truck drivers work longer hours for the rest of the winter, this legislation will help speed propane supplies to those who need it most and deliver some much-needed certainty to families across Minnesota.”
 
“The propane shortage has caused hardship for thousands of families, businesses, and farmers across Minnesota who rely on the fuel,” Franken said. “As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, I’ve been pressing on several fronts to support Minnesotans affected by the shortage and to help take the stress off people’s pocketbooks. As cold weather continues to hit our state, this bill will let truckers deliver more propane to the areas still running low on the fuel.”
 
“This has been a particularly long, cold winter, putting a great deal of stress on families and businesses throughout our state and region,” Hoeven said. “Our bill will give drivers and residents the certainty of knowing they will have enough propane to heat their homes and businesses till the end of this heating season, and also allow the industry to better stock propane supplies for next year.”
 
“I am proud to join this bipartisan action on behalf of Wisconsin,” Senator Baldwin said. “This legislation will help provide relief and certainty to the nearly 250,000 residents and countless businesses throughout Wisconsin who have weathered a severe propane crisis this winter.”
 
Earlier this year, in response to a request from Klobuchar and Franken, along with Governor Mark Dayton and Representatives Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Rick Nolan, and Tim Walz, the Administration extended the State Emergency Declaration hours-of-service exemption to allow propane suppliers to safely transport propane from areas with a larger supply to regions affected by the shortage.
 
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