Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, departs after a classified briefing Thursday on President Donald Trump's directed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last weekend, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

A U.S. senator from Michigan has re-introduced legislation that would take steps to address propane shortages, noting his home state uses more propane for heating than any other in the nation.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, was joined by Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana in introducing the Securing Our Propane Supply Act, which among other actions would direct the Department of Energy to evaluate how effective establishing a National Strategic Propane Reserve would be to prevent future shortages.

Michigan residents uses more propane than any other state, with an estimated 320,000 households relying on propane as their primary heating fuel, Peters’ office stated in a news release.

The need is even more acute in the Upper Peninsula, where roughly 18% of households primarily heat with propane, according to the news release. Were the U.P. its own state, it would lead the nation in the share of households using propane, the news release noted.

In 2014 and 2021, Michigan declared a state of emergency in the face of propane shortages during the height of winter. That allowed those transporting propane to operate more hours on the road.

“Supply shortages have led to higher prices and put folks’ safety at risk,” Peters said. “This bipartisan bill would help ensure that families can reliably and affordably heat their homes when temperatures drop.”

Online records show similar legislation was introduced in 2023 by now former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, but died after being read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Peters announced in January he would not seek a third Senate term in 2026, creating a highly contested battleground state seat expected to be coveted by both major political parties. He also had served three terms in the U.S. House.