Propane Safety Act Moving Forward
By Nick Freimuth | Source: DoorCountyDailyNews.com
After the Ellison Bay explosions that devastated the small Northern Door Community, a bill that would make underground propane lines appear on Digger’s Hotline maps could be passed as early as next week. The Joint Committee on Finance approved the Propane Safety Act, sponsored by State Representative Garey Bies and Senator Alan Lasee, this week. The proposal aims to increase safety for both consumers and suppliers of propane gas in Wisconsin. “We have been working hard on this important safety legislation and our work is paying off as the bill is making its way through the process,” said Bies.
One of the two main components of the legislation is establishing new requirements for propane suppliers to meet certain financial responsibility standards in order to be licensed by the state. The new standards are designed to ensure that the propane suppliers operate a safety-conscious business with a well-trained staff and possess the financial backing necessary for commitment to their industry and customers. Senator Lasee explained the importance of this bill.
The second main component of the Propane Safety Act focuses on new communication requirements between propane suppliers and customers as well as changes to the Statewide Communication System, or Digger’s Hotline. The new requirements will work to make sure that propane suppliers and their customers stay on the same page concerning gas lines.
“With close cooperation of everyone who is involved in the propane industry, we have successfully created a package that enhances consumer safety,” stated Lasee. “This legislation represents that package and it has received strong bi-partisan support at each stage of the legislative process.”
Both legislators expressed their hopes that the Assembly and Senate will act quickly on the legislation before the regular session ends in March. Lasee said he hoped this bill would have been passed a year ago. With the importance of the legislation and the bi-partisan support, the authors do not foresee any potential obstacles to final approval by the legislature. From that point, the legislation would then be sent to the Governor for his signature into law.