ENERGY
Propane Safety Tips
Mid-County Energy is your local supplier of propane for home heating , agricultural use , and commercial use . Here are a few tips for use and storage :
Storage :
• Propane cylinders should be stored outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from flammable material .
• They should be kept on a flat , hard surface . Improper placement can damage the container and make the cylinder unusable .
• Some cylinders need to be stored vertically , while others can be stored horizontally . Either way , the safety relief valve should be above the liquid level .
Fuel cleanup fee in effect
The petroleum tank cleanup fee is in effect in Minnesota from October 2015 through January 2016 , according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue . The fee is 2 cents per gallon ($ 20 per 1,000 gallons ) on all petroleum products received by licensed fuel distributors in Minnesota .
This is a temporary fee that is imposed for a four-month period whenever the fund balance goes under $ 4 million . The fund may be used for administration of the cleanup program , training , certification , rule-making , corrective action performance audits , assessment and removal of abandoned underground storage units , and other similar uses .
For details , see Minnesota Statute 115C . 08 “ Petroleum Tank Fund .”
Back to B5
With colder weather approaching , Minnesota ’ s biodiesel blend requirement will once again be lowered from B10 to B5 .
According to Minnesota law , 10 percent biodiesel is required to be blended with # 2 diesel fuel from April 1 to Sept . 30 . The blend is lowered to B5 for October through March .
The statute for requiring at least 2 percent biodiesel ( B2 ) was passed in 2002 and implemented in 2005 . Implementation of the B5 and B10 requirements was delayed until July 2014 due to a need for better blending , infrastructure and enforcement of regulatory protocol .
In May 2018 , the mandate will move to B20 for the summer months . Before requiring the B20 blend , state officials must ensure that there is adequate blending infrastructure , among other measures .
Mid-county only uses high quality soybean based biodiesel in our fuels .
Usage :
• Turn propane tanks off when not in use .
• Check for leaks on new tanks .
• Transport tanks in a vertical position secured properly .
Winter Heating
Costs
If you or someone you care for needs help in paying for their winter heating costs , there is help available through the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program . To get further information and apply , contact the agency serving your county . Grants are “ first come ,” so apply as soon as possible .
SCOTT & CARVER COUNTY Scott-Carver-Dakota - Community Action ( 651 ) 322-3550 - Shakopee , MN HENNEPIN COUNTY Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin County ( 952 ) 930-3541 - St . Louis Park , MN MCLEOD COUNTY Heartland Community Action Agency ( 320 ) 235-0850 or 1-800-992-1710 - Wilmar , MN SIBLEY COUNTY Minnesota Valley Action Council ( 507 ) 345-6822 or 1-800-767-7139 ext . 433 - Mankato , MN WRIGHT COUNTY Wright County Community Action ( 320 ) 963-6500 ( clients can call collect ) - Maple Lake , MN
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