Federal DOT blocks California ban on disposable propane canisters

A California law passed in 2024 aimed to eliminate disposable propane cylinders by mandating refillable or reusable designs beginning Jan. 1, 2028. The Department of Transportation, through its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, determined that the state cannot impose design requirements that differ from federal hazardous-materials rules, which already allow disposable canisters that meet safety standards.

The ruling came after Worthington Enterprises, a major producer of such cylinders, petitioned the agency in August 2025. Officials said the ban would create a separate regulatory regime and could raise consumer prices. Supporters of the state law argue the cans pose landfill and safety hazards, while opponents claim the federal stance protects uniform standards and consumer choice. The DOT’s decision blocks the California requirement, allowing disposable propane canisters to continue being sold in the state.