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Propane Crisis On Dakotas Reservation Easing

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The leader of the Standing Rock Sioux says a propane crisis on the Dakotas reservation is easing due to warmer weather and a drop in the price of the fuel.

Chairman Dave Archambault says the tribe has ensured that everyone in need of propane has received some. He says the tribe has used $1.7 million in federal money and a $500,000 charitable grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux tribe in Minnesota.

As many as 5,000 homes on the reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border rely on propane. Residents have been struggling to afford higher prices tied to a nationwide shortage of the fuel.

Archambault says the tribe will continue to seek more federal money to ensure reservation residents make it through the rest of the winter.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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