R E G I O N A L N E W S

Tue, September 26, 2000 Price of propane also rising Lynda Stringer, Times Record News

The price for propane - along with heating oil, gasoline and natural gas - is up sharply and is expected to remain high, according to the National Propane Gas Association.

Propane is used as heating source by many rural residents. Ward Campbell, owner of Haigood Campbell Propane Service in Archer City, said propane is selling for anywhere from $1 to $1.25 a gallon - on average $1.15. That's up 30 cents from last fall, he said, and it's causing some grumbling among customers. According to the Texas Propane Gas Association the wholesale price for propane is at an average 67 cents a gallon. Last year it was around 30 cents a gallon.

The higher propane prices are fueled mainly by world-wide demand. The price of propane tracks the price of crude oil, which has been in an upward trend for months, driven by a variety of supply and demand factors. Regional Reporter Lynda Stringer can be reached by calling (940) 720-3461 or (800) 627-1646, ext. 461; or by e-mail at stringerl@wtr.com

http://www.trnonline.com/stories/09262000/regional_news/24244.shtml

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 28, 2000

Answers

Propane is the joker in the deck. Many do not realize the extent to which rural homes are reliant on it for a heating source. With wholsale prices up over 100% from this time last year, wow! I'm glad I live in the city.

-- Billiver (billiver@aol.com), September 28, 2000.

Propane inventories are running 40% behind last year. We're never going to make it until April.

-- Wayward (wayward@webtv.com), September 28, 2000.