A propane shortage is prompting a regional emergency declaration that covers seven-state – including Illinois. State Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan says the shortage is more of a delivery problem. The declaration is to ease trucking regulations. “There’s plenty of propane across the country – propane and natural gas and heating oil, but (the issue is) trying to get it,” Sullivan said. “There’s such a demand here in the midwest because of a couple of factors. We’re having a difficult time getting it transferred to where it’s needed.” Trucking regulations that mandate how many hours a trucker can be on the road. The declaration gives trucking companies more leniency. Supplies are running low here in part due to early cold temperatures and farmers needing more propane to dry wet grain.
