


Dan Benishek
Propane shortage reaches emergency levels
Propane shortage reaches emergency levels

WASHINGTON — As brutally cold temperatures continue to blast much of the nation, a propane shortage is driving up heating bills, prompting accusations of price gouging and leading to energy emergencies in more than a dozen states, from Alabama to Michigan. The lack of propane has forced the closing of schools in Tennessee, led to calls for people to turn down their thermostats and given poultry farmers the shivers. "They're worried they might not be able to keep those chickens warm," said Jeff Helms of the Alabama Farmers Federation. And consumers are grousing about higher prices. "It looks like there's some price gouging going on," said Phillip...