“Senator Johnson is closely monitoring the shortage of propane in Wisconsin. His staff has personally been in touch with every Wisconsinite who has written or called his offices as of Friday, making sure his team is doing everything that can be done on the federal level.

“The senator is working with other members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Transportation, in close coordination with state and local governments, to temporarily ease regulations that may be unnecessarily hindering deliveries of propane from parts of the country where it is more readily available. Energy industry experts say that temporary problems with transporting propane are a major cause of the short supply and resulting higher prices. It is therefore vital that federal rules do not add to those transport problems.

“Gov. Walker and Wisconsin’s state government are working to provide help to people who cannot afford propane, to supply propane to places without it, and to provide people with information on where to go to stay warm. Senator Johnson is encouraged by Wisconsinites coming together to help their neighbors. He stands ready to work with other members of Congress and with federal agencies to clear any red tape that hinders the measures taken by Wisconsin’s government.

“Producers and suppliers of propane as well as independent experts say this shortage is the result of multiple factors. Farmers had to use propane later in the year than usual in drying wet crops. Several pipeline problems made it hard to move propane. And an unusually cold winter has increased demand at an even earlier time than normal. These factors demonstrate why it’s important that energy markets be as free as possible – so that suppliers can respond flexibly and rapidly to shortages, and competition can bring prices quickly back to affordable levels.

“Some observers have noted as well that propane exports have increased over the past several years as U.S. production has increased. Senator Johnson believes it is important to be aware of these figures, but he cautions against reflexive moves to restrict international trade in propane. Imports have increased sharply in recent weeks to shore up the U.S. supply, illustrating how a robust trade in energy can help U.S. consumers.”