On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, the House will consider H.R. 5705, the Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014, under a suspension of the rules. H.R. 5705 was introduced on November 13, 2014 by Representative Bob Latta (R-OH).
H.R. 5705 amends the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 to direct the Propane Education and Research Council to develop for propane distributors and consumers training programs on strategies to mitigate negative effects of future propane price spikes. The bill also directs the Secretary of Commerce to use the refiner price to end users of consumer grade propane as published by the Energy Information Administration when preparing the annual analysis of changes in the price of propane relative to other energy sources.
Millions of Americans use propane for heating, cooking, and motor fuel among other things. Authorized by the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996, the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) “is a 21-member board appointed by the National Propane Gas Association and the Gas Processors Association …, is funded by an assessment levied on each gallon of propane gas at the point it is odorized or imported in the United States, … [and] is an incubator of new propane-fueled technology and the world leader in propane safety and training programs and products.”[1] In 2010, GAO reported that “from 1998 to 2008, PERC collected about $350.6 million.”[2]
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[1] http://www.propanecouncil.org/about-the-council/.
[2] http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-981T.
The program is funded through a referendum among producers and retail marketers without further appropriation from Congress.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.
