MADISON — Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) received the “Friend of Propane” Award from the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association (WPGA) recently. The award was presented to Rep. Novak in Dodgeville by Cheryl Lytle, WPGA President; Tim Lease with Premier Cooperative and WPGA Board Member; and Michelle Kussow, WPGA Lobbyist.

Novak received the “Friend of Propane” award for introducing and championing legislation to remove regulations on self-dispensing of propane autogas. Specifically, Assembly Bill 491 was signed into law as 2023 Wisconsin Act 163 and allows the public to self-dispense propane autogas by removing regulations that only trained and authorized employees of bulk storage plants, service stations or entities operating commercial fleets may dispense. The new law ensures that safety requirements under state and federal law are satisfied during self-service dispensing by the general public and requires signage providing step-by-step directions for fueling vehicles.

Propane autogas is an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, there are nearly 60,000 on-road propane vehicles operating in the United States. Many of these are used in fleet applications, such as school buses, shuttles and police vehicles.

“Propane autogas has become an efficient and inexpensive option for many in Wisconsin, including fleet vehicles and school buses. The new law allows more access for those fueling propane vehicles and will encourage additional use by making it more accessible to the general public,” said Cheryl Lytle, WPGA Executive Director. “WPGA is thankful for Rep. Todd Novak’s leadership and efforts to expeditiously move the legislation through in one session.”