Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opens shelters in freezing weather

Thursday, January 30, 2014  

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has opened cold weather shelters to help its people deal with subzero temperatures amid a propane fuel shortage.

Almost all of the homes on the reservation are heated by propane, Chairman Dave Archambault II said. But with the shortage causing a spike in prices, some are unable to buy enough.

“Many families don’t have enough resources to heat their homes when propane costs rise above $3.50,” a gallon, Archambault told the Associated Press. “When the price of propane reaches $6 there’s going to be a dire need — life or death.”

The tribe depends on a federal heating assistance program. But budget cuts have reduced the amount of funding to $1 million, down from $2.5 million.

Get the Story:
Dakotas tribe opens shelters amid propane shortage (AP 1/29)
Propane Runs Low in Indian County (South Dakota Public Broadcasting 1/29)