9-23-05
Contact Larry McKenzie 803-936-4212
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Farm Bureau Calls on State to Consider Farmers’ Needs as Natural Gas Supplies Run Out

Columbia, SC – South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles has called on the SC Public Service Commission and the Governor’s office to intervene in the interruption of natural gas service to agricultural operations. He has also put the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) on notice that the shortage of natural gas may create a disaster for some of South Carolina’s farmers.

Winkles said, “This is the time of year when many farmers experience peak natural gas use because of drying corn, peanuts, and tobacco. Natural gas is also a vital commodity for many of our poultry producers. I have asked the Public Service Commission and the Governor to do all they can to set agricultural use of natural gas as a priority, second to human health needs.”

Winkles said farmers have reported that their natural gas supplies have been shut off by their utility company until supplies become available. The utility has offered to purchase natural gas on a daily basis from other suppliers at costs nearly three times the normal cost of natural gas. “Farmers are harvesting perishable commodities that need to be handled in a timely manner, otherwise they could lose a year’s investment on the farm,” Winkles said.

Winkles also called on the more than 130,500 member families of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation to do all they can to conserve energy by limiting their uses of natural gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel. Farm Bureau is a non-profit advocate organization for farmers across the state.

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