Propane costs unknown for winter

No one knows what the price of propane will be this winter, not even the people who deal with it every day.

"The price is great right now," Dwayne Covey of Anderson Gas & Propane Inc., from his office in Rogers, said two weeks ago when his customers were paying $1.74 for a gallon of propane.

"There's no way to know how long it's going to last. It's got a mind of its own," he said. "You never know from week to week or day to day what the price is going to be."

"We don't ever know what they (the suppliers) are going to do," agreed Larry Jones, vice president of Center Gas Fuels Inc., which has an office in Hiwasse.

Last winter, propane reached almost $5 a gallon, impacting both homeowners and businesses.

Jones said the high price last year was due to supplies being low. A lot of propane was used by farmers drying out their corn crops after a wet fall. That didn't happen this year, he added, and the supply seems to be adequate.

Many of his customers have already preordered their winter fuel in order to lock in a low price, he said, so his company has also preordered from its suppliers.

"But it's possible the price will go down," he said, and if it does, both his company and his customers are locked into the price at the time of the order.

"A cold winter will affect it some," Jones said. "A lot of the price is based on demand. If it gets cold and the reserves are low and they have to work 24 hours a day, that will drive the price up," he explained.

"I think we're pretty safe this year," he added.

But just in case, "If I had a house drawing propane, I would fill my tank right now," he advised.

There also is some help for consumers who are having trouble paying their heating bills.

The Office of Human Concern has a Home Energy Assistance Program serving Benton, Madison and Carroll counties that begins in early January.

Eligibility is based on income and the number of people in the household, said Susan Moore, executive director.

The program ends when funds are depleted, she said, but usually the funds last about six weeks. The office can be reached at 479-636-7301.

The Salvation Army also offers an energy bill assistance program for Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll counties, said Barbara Whitlow, director of social services. Benton Country residents can apply at the Rogers office, 12333 W. Walnut, or by calling 479-636-8522. That office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

General News on 12/24/2014