Listen Now: Propane Shortages

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Businesses are trying to stay open and the winter months are serving up a new obstacle. I’m Brian Banmiller on Business.

In cities across the country bar and restaurant owners are relying out outdoor dining to stay in business. Some have set up impressive displays in order to follow the rules and keep money coming in. Unfortunately, it’s winter and depending on where you live it can be hard to enjoy your meal in near freezing temperatures. One solution, portable space heaters. And while there are plenty available, the same can’t be said for what fuels them, propane. The standard-size tanks are usually available everywhere from gas stations to grocery stores. But the demand has led to more sold-out signs than business owners can deal with. One woman who manages a whiskey tasting room in colorado says she ends up driving all around town just to find one propane tank. And it’s not just businesses buying up the stock. Household hoarding similar to what we saw with toilet paper and cleaning supplies is also to blame. Business owners are being told to plan ahead, before business freezes up. Brian Banmiller, CBS News.

About Brian

CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.