I’m not saying it is happening in this case but intentionally causing shortages to push up prices is gouging. It’s the reason we don’t like monopolies.
The main reason propane prices are going up is because of exports of natural gas to Europe and Asia.
It’s hard to think of any monopolies that exist without the assistance of government. Think IBM. The history of Free Markets is driving prices down, and protecting consumers.
The history of Government is driving prices up. Think Keystone pipeline, limiting fracking, Ethanol.
Price gouging is a Socialist rationalization for price controls.
I thought we had a glut of natural gas, which is from where propane is derived. Why would we have a propane shortage?
What ‘shortage’?
I thought FRACKING had VASTLY increased ‘supply’!!!