Customers of Gygr-Gas can have their residential propane tanks filled by other providers after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order Thursday.
State law prohibits propane providers from filling up tanks owned by other companies. The governor's executive order Thursday suspended the law only for tanks owned by Gygr-Gas.
Gygr-Gas has ceased all business operations and is no longer servicing empty propane tanks, KOMU reported Tuesday. Residential customers have not been able to reach the company for months and two former employees said the company was not planning to notify anyone of its closure except commercial customers.
The News Tribune could not reach the Boonville-based company for comment Thursday.
"State law prohibits propane tanks owned by one company to be filled by a different company, and while that state law is important for safety standards, this is a unique situation that requires immediate action," Parson said in a statement accompanying the executive order. "Gygr-Gas has left its customers without proper recourse, but we won't. We are issuing this Executive Order to ensure that former Gygr-Gas customers can keep their homes heated and families warm this winter and holiday season."
The Missouri Propane Safety Commission is following the Gygr-Gas developments and could suspend the company's registration, according to the Governor's news release.
Gyre-Gas provided service to 42 counties and 12 cities throughout Missouri, including Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville, Columbia and Mexico. It's customer based numbered in the thousands.
Its service counties include Cole, Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan and Osage, among others.
The Governor's Office provided a list of providers registered to fill liquefied petroleum gas containers in the state. Former Gyre-Gas customers can refill their tanks with:
Cole County:
• Amerigas, 573-636-5155
• AA Propane, 573-796-3019
• MFA, 573-636-6669
• Lock Mill, 573-897-2197
Moniteau County:
• Ferrellgas-Tipton, 573-392-4275
• Farm n Home, 660-337-6444
• MFA-Tipton, 573-796-4511
• AA Propane, 573-796-3019
• Capital Energy, 573-635-1592
Cooper County:
• MFA-Otterville, 660-366-4311
• AG Coop Service, 660-882-7443
Boone County:
• MFA-Columbia, 573-445-7635
• Ferrellgas-Columbia 573-819-0560
• Ballenger 573-474-5501
• All Weather 573-682-2415
"We know this is a busy time of year for many propane providers, but we encourage them to do all they can to help Missourians abandoned by Gygr-Gas," the governor said.
Parson's executive order expires with the start of the new year unless extended.