Cenex refinery recalls problem propane Gazette staff

LAUREL – People who have bought propane from retail locations supplied by the Cenex Laurel Refinery should ask their local dealer to inspect their storage tanks to ensure that the propane contains enough additive to give it a detectable odor.

The smelling agents are added to propane, a naturally odorless gas, as a standard safety precaution to allow its detection in the event of a leak.

The Laurel refinery learned recently that it had shipped an unknown quantity of propane without an adequate level of odorant.

Both residential and business propane users should have an on-site inspection of storage tanks. Newly installed tanks and those that have recently run out of gas and been refilled will be given priority.

People who have recently refilled smaller, portable cylinders, such as those used for barbecue grills, or propane-powered vehicles, should bring them to their local dealer for inspection.

Customers should not attempt to inspect their own tanks.

The Cenex Laurel Refinery supplies propane to local dealers who serve customers in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Lani Jordan, Cenex director of corporate communications, said the cooperative became aware of the problem several weeks ago.

“Right now, we know that we have about 22 retailers involved in Montana and four other states, but primarily in Montana,” Jordan said.

She said Cenex does not know yet how many customers may be affected or how much propane was lacking adequate ordorant.

Meanwhile, one retailer Jerry Wanner, who owns Columbus Propane, said the problem only affects about 3 percent of his customers. He said he hauls propane from eight or 10 refineries and only delivered seven truckloads out of the Cenex refinery.

Wanner said he should be able to take care of all of his customers this week.

“I’m going to take a truck to the Laurel refinery, and they will fill me up with super-stenched propane,” he said. “ They will put enough odorizer in five gallons of propane to odorize 500 gallons.”

Details In addition to contacting local dealers, customers with questions may also call a 24-hour information line at 800-635-3998.

Montana dealers that may have received propane without adequate odorant and will help with safety Inspections include:

Rocky Mountain Supply, Belgrade

Farmers Union Oil, Chinook

Columbus Propane, Columbus

Mountain View Co-op, Dutton

Farmers Union Oil, Great Falls

CHS Country Operations, Havre

CHS Country Operations, Kalispell

Town and Country Co-op, Laurel

Central Montana Propane, Lewistown

Farmers Union Oil, Lodge Grass

CHS Country Operations, Miles City

CHS Country Operations, Missoula

Farmers Union Oil, Worden

Updated: Wed Dec 6 17:52:28 CST 2000 Central Time

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-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), December 07, 2000