Site Visits Fill Congressional Summer Schedules

With the House of Representatives and the Senate out of Washington, DC, for their summer district work period, numerous Members of Congress are taking time to learn about the impact propane has on the communities they represent.

Lake’s Gas hosted Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN-6) on July 31 to give a tour of their Clear Lake, MN facility. During the visit, Congressman Emmer spoke to employees about the importance of consumer choice and supporting legislation, such as the recently-passed “Save Our Gas Stoves Act” (H.R. 1640) and the “Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act” (H.R. 1615). As a member of the House Leadership Team, Congressman Emmer is an important ally of the propane industry.

On August 1, Burn’s Propane in Oologa, OK, hosted Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) for an hour-long tour. Bill Burns and his daughter Courtney gave the Senator an overview of the day-to-day operations of their propane business. As a freshman Senator on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, this visit provided an important first-hand experience of the value propane brings.

Caywood Propane hosted Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-5) on August 3 in Albion, MI. As part of their site visit, Christopher Caywood informed the Congressman of propane usage in the district. Rep. Walberg was surprised to learn about Autogas and other agriculture applications. In addition, Caywood stressed the importance of safety and training throughout the tour and even highlighted the Propane Education and Research Council’s training website. This site visit was not Rep. Walberg’s first, but it did provide an additional opportunity to engage with him and ensure he was up to date on the top legislative issues impacting the propane industry and the impact in his district.

Hosting a site visit at your company is a valuable opportunity to educate your elected officials on your company’s impact on the community – and NPGA is here to help.  If your company is interested in hosting a Member of Congress at your propane facility, please contact Eric Sears, NPGA’s Manager of State Association Relations.