Midwest lawmakers are pressing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address issues with propane supply problems in the region, which are impacting producers as they seek to harvest this year’s corn crop.
“Farmers are calling our offices looking for answers about what can be done,” said a group of House lawmakers led by House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn. “Those who are lucky enough to have crops to harvest this year are now struggling with drying a wet corn crop.” Wet corn put into storage can start to spoil in as little as three days, the lawmakers pointed out.
The lawmakers noted that trucks have been running to Kansas and Texas to bring additional supplies back to the Midwest, “and we appreciate efforts taken by several state governors and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to assist companies in this effort.”
Iowa Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst also penned a letter to FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee, asking the regulator to address the situation. “We understand that the nationwide supply of propane is adequate, but it is not in Iowa,” the letter said. Those with crops still standing in fields face issues, the letter said, along with livestock and poultry producers who are “concerned about supply with the winter months ahead,” with their offices receiving “numerous” calls.
“As farmers continue to face obstacles with the trade disputes and late harvest this year, the cold weather and propane issue compounds frustration and financial struggles,” the Iowa lawmakers said.
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