Thomas supports relief for propane customers

State Representative Roger Thomas of Elkader says the state legislature is working to find solutions to the propane shortage that hit Iowa last week.  It's troubling for thousands of Iowans, mostly in rural areas, who use propane to heat their homes.  
 
Thomas is co-sponsoring a bill to provide $1 million in emergency funds to help low-income families who use propane keep the heat on this winter.  The emergency funds would go to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and would be available in every county through local community action agencies such as the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation.
 
Thomas says the state legislature is also exploring long-term solutions to make sure another propane crisis like this never happens again.  One idea is to help Iowans boost storage capacity so they can avoid filling up their tank during the high demand winter season.