Rep. Miller Votes to Alleviate Propane Shortage
Press Release
Today, U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, issued the following statement after voting for the Home Heating Emergency Assistance Through Transportation (HHEAT) Act of 2014:
"Michigan, the country's number one propane consumer for residential heat, has been especially hard hit by this brutal, record-setting winter. Unfortunately, the current propane delivery infrastructure is unable to meet the increased demand for propane, causing shortages and higher heating costs for families across the state and country. In my district, where propane costs are nearly 75% higher than a year ago and supplies are scarce, some families are being forced to seek cheaper, less-effective alternatives like space heaters and wood-burning fires.
"While we must address the transportation infrastructure, immediate steps are needed to expedite delivery. That is why I cosponsored this legislation to allow truck operators delivering propane and other heating fuels to extend their driving hours to speed up deliveries to affected states. I thank Chairman Shuster for his leadership on this urgent issue and strongly urge the Senate to take swift action."
The Home Heating Emergency Assistance Through Transportation Act of 2014 (H.R. 4076):
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued temporary emergency declarations to allow tank truck operators delivering propane and other home heating fuels to drive for longer hours to speed up deliveries to the affected states. However, these declarations can only last 30 days at a time, creating uncertainty and limited relief.
The HHEATT Act provides a guaranteed extension of the U.S. Department of Transportation's emergency declarations until May 31, 2014.
Should the propane and home heating fuels crisis subside prior to May 31, 2014, on a state by state basis the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Governors of affected states, may determine that the extension of the emergency declarations is no longer needed.
Source