Propane supplier Ferrellgas settles Minn. lawsuit

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson says a propane gas supplier she sued two years ago over pricing and fees has settled for $450,000.

Swanson said Tuesday that she settled with Ferrellgas, a propane energy company based in Overland Park, Kan., with approval from a Ramsey County judge.

Swanson sued Ferrellgas in 2009, accusing the company of failing to disclose prices and adding unexpected fees. The company has more than 50,000 Minnesota customers, mainly people who heat their homes with propane.

Swanson says the $450,000 settlement will compensate Ferrellgas customers who paid undisclosed charges or fees. She also says the settlement requires Ferrellgas to refund low-usage or no-usage fees it charged Minnesota customers.

Ferrellgas spokesman Jim Saladin says the company leads its peers in disclosing fees and welcomes the settlement.

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