NewsMontana News

Actions

MT propane companies overwhelmed by extreme temperatures, backed up with calls

Posted at 10:50 AM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-08 13:03:11-05

BELGRADE – The cold snap is overwhelming propane companies across Montana.

Ken Weskamp of Madison River Propane in Belgrade said companies like his are still are using winter pricing, despite the extreme temperatures and customers using more propane.

He added the colder temps divert natural gas from refineries for residential use. Natural gas is used to make propane and that can affect prices.

Weskamp said despite that, his company is receiving a rate of calls that are hard to keep up with.

“We experienced in this last cold snap, we were averaging about 150 calls an hour, taking calls of people wanting delivery right away,” Weskamp said. “Typically, when you called in, we would try to make those deliveries within a day or two and now we are pushed back about two weeks.”

Weskamp added that delays could be shortened if customers clear driveways and the snow from around their tanks.

Cody Boyer reporting for MTN News