Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced bipartisan legislation to take the first step towards creating a National Strategic Propane Reserve to address the high cost of propane for families in Michigan. The Securing Our Propane Supply Act directs the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Energy Information Administration, to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a National Strategic Propane Reserve.
A reserve of this kind could provide a safety net to households that heat with propane, one that communities could utilize in emergency situations when there are supply shortages or prices so high that people cannot afford to heat their home. Senator Stabenow introduced this bill alongside Senator John Thune (R-SD).
“Families in Michigan shouldn’t have to worry that they might not be able to refill their tank when they need it most during the winter,” said Senator Stabenow. “This bipartisan legislation is a first step towards helping Michiganders – particularly those in the Upper Peninsula, Northern Michigan and other rural communities whose sole source of fuel is propane – lower their energy costs.”
“With over 320,000 households that rely on propane to heat their homes, Michigan uses more propane in the residential sector than any other state in the country. For 18% of Upper Peninsula residents and nearly 24% in some northern Lower Peninsula counties, propane is the primary source of heat. As such, Michigan households are uniquely exposed to propane supply shortages and price hikes. The Securing Our Propane Supply Act takes the first step towards finding the best possible way to alleviate this risk and ensure energy security for homes across the state.”
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