New regulations threaten propane filling stations?

NEWS RELEASE

TOBY BARRETT, MPP HALDIMAND-NORFOLK

******************************* Propane regs will close businesses

Small propane retailers can’t afford $25,000 assessment

SIMCOE - Propane retailers, corner stores, farmers and trailer owners are all up in arms in regards to pending legislation that could see many propane retailers close.

While consumers are able to purchase propane for barbecues in 20-pound tanks for barbecues through exchange programs, trailer owners and farmers who utilize larger tanks must rely on propane filling stations.

The new regulations will require all propane filling stations to have an assessment, which will cost $25,000 each.

The cost of the assessment alone will be enough to cause many country stores with propane filling stations to cease to offer this service.

“If this were to occur, farmers would be forced to drive further for propane refills at a time when they are busiest and could ill afford to be away from the farm longer,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “That is to say nothing of the additional costs.”

Recreational vehicle owners would also be forced to travel greater distances for propane refills, taking their dollars with them away from small rural communities.

These new regulations were announced in the wake of the Sunrise Propane explosion in Toronto.

But, the amount of propane at filling stations is considerably less than at a large facility like Sunrise.

Propane distributors have contacted my office and said it is reasonable they undertake an assessment, but it is unreasonable for smaller filling stations.

On top of the cost involved, there are further complications resulting from the fact there are a limited number of inspectors qualified to complete inspections.

It will be virtually impossible for them to complete inspections on the 1,600 propane facilities in the next year.

The Ontario Propane Association put forward suggestions all sites with a storage capacity under 5,000 gallons be excluded, but were ignored by the McGuinty Liberals and the Technical Safety Standards Association.

The association suggestion would exempt 1,400 of the 1,600 refilling facilities.

I call on Mr. McGuinty to reconsider the regulations.

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