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A letter regarding the need for liquid propane in Iowa has been sent by two of Iowa’s senators to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have been seeking regulatory options to prioritize shipments of propane to Iowa to help farmers. Grassley tells KCII News that the propane is needed as harvest wraps up and farmers need to dry their crops, “And when corn is 22-24% moisture it takes a lot longer to dry, a lot more LP gas and the system of delivery can’t keep up with it, and it’s a bottleneck.”

They also need the propane to heat homes and livestock barns. The letter states, “As farmers continue to face obstacles with trade disputes and late harvest this year, the cold weather and propane issue compounds frustration and financial struggles.” According to Grassley’s office, “While the issue is largely a private distribution problem without federal jurisdiction, the senators continue to work with state officials and stakeholders to address the shortage facing Iowans.”

Governor Reynolds has eased the service rules for trucks delivering propane temporarily allowing vehicles to be oversize and overweight. The proclamation ends December 15th at midnight.