Propane cylinder providers Blue Rhino and AmeriGas are facing a class action lawsuit alleging that the two firms reduced the amount of propane provided in tanks sold as 'full' and failed to inform customers.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims that customers were under the impression that they were purchasing 17 to 18 pounds of propane in a tank, when the companies had reduced the amount of propane to 15 pounds per tank to avoid raising the prices in conjunction with 2008 fuel cost increases. Customers were not told by the companies that the amount of gas had been reduced to save a price hike.
AmeriGas and Blue Rhino distribute propane tanks through tens of thousands of retailers across the United States including Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Safeway and other local grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations.