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BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • New PERC Campaign Accelerates Propane School Bus Education

    The number of schools moving to propane-fueled school buses has rapidly increased in recent years, and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is stepping up its work to get many more schools on board. Recognizing that schools across 45 states now use a total of more than 7000 propane-fueled buses, PERC in October launched the Better Our Buses campaign to educate parents, school officials, and community members about the benefits of fueling school buses with propane. Benefits include the fact that propane buses start right up in cold weather, while diesel models can take up to half an hour just to warm up before driving, putting that much more pollution into the air. PERC president and CEO Roy Willis told BPN that the Better...

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  • Where a Handshake Still Means Something

    Now in its third generation of management, Stanford LP Gas (Midland, Mich.) operates with the same ethical practices as co-founders Dale and Edna Stanford, who started the business in 1957. Jeremy Stanford, his three siblings, and his semi-retired father Duane are current co-owners of the business. “My grandfather has been this way and my dad the same in that they’re definitely from the school of a handshake means something,” said Jeremy Stanford. “They both had a lot of integrity; they trusted and worked with people in the area. It’s a very rural community. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody helps everybody.” The company has had a sense of community since the early days, when Dale and his wife Edna started out with a small general store...

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  • Propane Autogas-Powered 2016 Ford F-150 to Boost Fleet Sustainability Efforts

    CleanFUEL USA®, global manufacturer of certified and approved alternative fuel equipment for propane autogas technology, announced recently its agreement with Westport Innovations Inc. to serve as a supplier for the Westport WiNG™ 2016 Ford 5.0L F-150 propane truck. The propane-fueled F-150 with the Westport WiNG Power System will be featured at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo on November 18-19, 2015, in Washington, D.C., in the Propane Education and Research Council’s booth #3413. The Westport WiNG™ Power System will employ the CleanFUEL USA Liquid Propane Injection (LPI®) technology. Westport’s F-150 with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or propane, offers Ford QCM/QVM warranty protection with expected EPA and CARB certifications. “CleanFUEL USA and Westport are both providing high quality, alternative fuel-powered fleet vehicles with lower emissions and...

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  • Como Oil & Propane Acquired by ThompsonGas

    Duluth-based Como Oil & Propane has been purchased by ThompsonGas, headquartered in Frederick, Md. In an announcement issued Wednesday, Como’s branch manager, Joel Berg, said: “This acquisition significantly strengthens Como’s position as the area’s leading fuel provider.” "While Como has always been a strong, reliable fuel provider, ThompsonGas offers us a national footprint, greater buying power and access to cutting-edge technology. Having this kind of competitive advantage, gives our 120 local employees a lot to be excited about," he said. The deal will expand ThompsonGas' national reach to include markets in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company now serves more than 87,000 customers in 14 states. Como's new ownership said it has no plans to make any staff reductions due to economies of scale related to...

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  • Maryland Gets First Propane School Bus in Anne Arundel County

    Anne Arundel County students boarded the first school bus fueled by propane autogas in the state of Maryland. The Blue Bird Vision Propane bus, from contractor Jubb’s Bus Service, Inc., went into operation for the 2015-16 school year. The transportation contractor has taken the first step toward reducing emissions and cutting costs by upgrading to a clean-burning, economical propane school bus. “With the rising costs of diesel maintenance and our interest in incorporating green technologies, it was time to explore our options,” said Randall Jubb, president of Jubb’s Bus Service, Inc. “We are the first contractor in Maryland to offer a school bus fueled by emissions-reducing propane autogas to an area school district — and we have plans to transition 20 percent of our fleet...

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  • World LPG Association (WLPGA) Welcomes New President Yağiz Eyüboğlu

    The WLPGA welcomed new president, Mr. Yagiz Eyuboglu, who shared his vision for the WLPGA in an exclusive interview with the WLPGA. Some of the priorities Eyuboglu has identifed for WLPGA in the coming years include becoming a more unified voice for the global LPG industry by bringing together the 200+ private and public companies in more than 125 countries to champion the LPG industry and broaden its impact worldwide, continuing to develop partnerships with international organizations, strengthening WLPGA membership, furthering the development of LPG markets, implementing projects on a local and global scale, and continuing to promote standards, compliance and good business and safety practices, critical for sustainable growth, noted Eyuboglu. "Although LPG is the most viable alternative energy solution, in most parts of...

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  • Indiana School District Replaces Diesel Buses with Economical, Clean Propane Autogas

    Three new school buses, fueled by clean-burning, affordable propane autogas, will be in operation for the 2015-2016 school year in the DeKalb County Central United School District. DeKalb Central United Schools, DeKalb County’s largest school district, will replace 12-year-old diesel buses with new Blue Bird Propane Vision buses. “Encouraging intentional innovation is one of our key priority areas of our district’s strategic plan. In a time of diminishing resources, we strive to be as innovative and energy efficient as possible,” shared DeKalb Central Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate. “After researching the data regarding the incorporation of propane autogas fueled school buses in to our fleet, a very deliberate decision was made to pursue this opportunity.” Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, a cleaner riding environment for students, and...

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  • Research report finds propane market expected to reach USD 145.82 billion by 2022

    According to a recent study published by Transparency Market Research, the global propane market was valued at USD 114.44 billion in 2013 and is likely to reach USD 145.82 billion by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 3.56% between 2014 and 2022. The research group defined and segmented the propane market into six types of applications: residential, commercial, industrial, chemical & materials, agricultural and transportation, providing analysis and forecast of the global revenue. The residential segment dominated the global propane market in 2013. Stringent environmental regulations and less reliable conventional gas sources are expected to be major growth drivers for the propane market in residential applications. Demand for propane as a fuel in the marine industry is expected to grow gradually owing to the introduction...

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  • Icom First to EPA Certify Key Propane Fleet Platforms

    Icom North America, LLC based in New Hudson Michigan, extends its Propane Autogas Fleet offerings with 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 3.7 engine Ford Police Sport Utility, Police Sedan, Explorer, Taurus, Edge, Flex and Lincoln MKT, MKS and MKX. These Fleet Platforms are focused on Police, Government and Livery vehicles allowing fleets to enjoy dramatically reduced fuel cost and meet their sustainability goals with an abundant domestic fuel.Ed Zoglman, Icom’s Vice President, Central Division, stated, “Icom enjoys a large Police, Government Fleet and Livery market and Icom is the first to certify these key vehicle platforms for which we have a large order-bank.” "I drive many thousands of miles each month in an Icom Liquid Injection System SUV and enjoy noticeable increased performance and miles...

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  • Andrea Labelle Named Canadian Propane Association Executive Director

    The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) recently announced the appointment of Andrea Labelle as its new Executive Director. “We are delighted to announce Ms. Labelle’s appointment as Executive Director,” said Guy Marchand, Chair of the CPA Board of Directors. “She brings more than 20 years of experience in operations, management, government relations, marketing, as well as experience in the propane industry.”Labelle has been leading the association for the past two years as the General Manager, managing the day-to-day operations and all levels of government relations activities on the association’s behalf. "Under Ms. Labelle's direction, the CPA has established and enhanced credible relationships with regulators and legislators across Canada, raised the profile of the industry through participating in national and regional events, and kept members informed of...

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