Propane prices also on the rise

Daily American Republic

It's not just natural gas customers who might be facing bigger heating bills this winter. Odds are propane consumers will be feeling the pinch as well.

"Natural gas is the heartbeat of the winter fuel business. When it goes up, you see the other kinds go up," said Russ Philips, district manager at Home Service Oil Company in Poplar Bluff. "With natural gas and propane, these hikes happen every year and they get bigger every year. The consumer needs to plan ahead and buy now."

As with natural gas, short supply of propane is perpetuating this year's jump in prices. The bulk of Missouri's propane comes from Canada -- and Canada is shipping less and less down their pipelines, according to Rick White, owner of White Gas Company.

"They are still rebuilding their own winter supply," White said. "And of course, we would be secondary on their list." Philips and White recommend propane customers fill up their tanks now, while the price is lower, or participate in a budget billing program. And if the customer pre-buys their winter supply of propane, the price will be locked in at its current rate until March 31.

Both companies, Home Service Oil and White Gas Company, offer customers the option of pre-buying and fall-fill-ups as ways to save money.

With the pre-buy programs, local propane suppliers buy the propane now, at the current price. That offers protection for the consumer from future hikes.

"And when the snow starts flying, a customer needs to have that," Philips said.

(Contact DAR reporter Jackie Harder at 785-1414 ext. 233 or jackieharder74@yahoo.com)