US DOT blocks California ban on disposable propane canisters

The U.S. Department of Transportation has blocked a California law that intended to ban the sale of disposable propane cylinders starting in 2028. The state law required nearly all propane cylinders sold in California to be reusable or refillable.

The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration determined that federal law overrides the state's mandate. The agency concluded that California cannot impose unique requirements on containers already regulated by federal standards, which allow for the manufacture and sale of disposable cylinders provided they meet safety requirements.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the decision aims to maintain a single set of nationwide standards for transporting hazardous materials and prevents the state from removing federally approved products from shelves.