MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsinites who heat their homes with propane are paying a little more than two years ago — but nowhere near the huge spikes from last year at this time.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average Wisconsin price for residential propane was $1.79 a gallon as of last week — down 6 cents from December 15th.
But wholesale prices rose by 6 cents over the previous week, and last week’s consumer price was almost 30 cents above the high of $1.50 a gallon two winters ago.
Still, today’s propane prices are a bargain compared to the $5 plus that folks were paying last year at this time. That was back when the weather much colder and supplies were so short, that a number of rural Wisconsin homeowners did not have their fuel contracts honored.
Beside the weather, state spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said some other factors have kept prices down this winter. They include new changes which allow heavier propane trucks to drive on roads they couldn’t use before.
Also, Marquis says a new high efficiency propane terminal at Hixton allows for a faster distribution of more fuel.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
