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BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • Feature Articles

    First Purchasing Cooperative For Energy Retailers Launched In USA

    (May 13, 2020) New England — IDEAL Energy is a Member-Owned Cooperative of local energy distributors that exists to deliver reliable and secure heating and transportation fuels through a qualitative, independent network. IDEAL (Independents Delivering Energy Aligned Locally), works with local privately held energy retailers to help them manage the ongoing challenges of consolidation from large utilities and national energy corporations. Working together, IDEAL helps local providers defend margin, prevent volume erosion, share best-in-class operational expertise, and offers a Fuel-Local brand to gain more customers. Through cooperation with Fuel-Local branding assets, Members can better communicate the benefits of using local, independent providers to their customers. Kris Magnusson, General Manager and Co-founder of IDEAL says, “One of our greatest Member benefits is our strength as a...

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  • Feature Articles

    Introducing Propane Industry’s 30 Under 30 Leaders

    (April 24, 2020) — Thirty young propane professionals, who were nominated by others in the industry, have been selected as Charter Members of the Young Gassers’ 30 Under 30 Program . Each of these young adults will receive a variety of assignments, perks, and recognition within the propane industry for their participation. This is the inaugural year of the 30 Under 30 Program. Created by the International Association of Young Gassers in conjunction with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Canadian Propane Association (CPA), the program is meant in invest in, engage, and encourage young professionals working for companies directly involved in the propane gas industry. These young professionals will be tasked to interact and coordinate on marketing and PR programs designed to...

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  • Feature Articles

    NPGA Program Offers Networking, Professional Development, Advocacy Tools

    By Peter B. Ferrell… For nearly a century, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has been an advocate for the propane industry, representing the interests of business sectors and segments. But this business sector outreach overlooked the most valuable asset the industry has, the industry employees themselves. NPGA’s Individual/Employee Membership, or IM , provides an avenue for the employees of member companies to enhance their professional development and leadership potential. The IM program aims to groom the next generation of volunteer industry leadership by introducing young professionals to the near- and long-term policy and political challenges and opportunities confronting the industry. David Lowe of Pro Image Communications represents IM interests on the NPGA board. He views greater employee involvement with NPGA as a direct benefit...

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  • Feature Articles

    Time to Submit Annual PERC Retail Propane Sales Report

    (April 20, 2020) — Earlier this week, an employee at your company should have received an email asking them to complete your company’s submission for the Annual Retail Propane Sales Report no later than June 1. Submit your sales figures to help ensure your state receives an accurate amount of rebate funding from 20 percent of PERC’s annual revenues and to see that your assessment dollars are used in the most efficient way to support market trends. See results from the 2018 survey. If you’re unsure which person at your company is responsible for submitting, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; .

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  • Products

    New Propane Products Slated For Exhibition At Cancelled NPGA SE Expo

    (April 20, 2020) — Propane companies continue to provide essential services to their customers worldwide during these uncertain times. For them, it is business as usual, but with added safety and security for personnel in the time of a pandemic. But, as they maintain their businesses, they still have a need for the products and services that keep them moving. Although our industry did not have the opportunity to view and discuss these new products set to be on display in Nashville, at the Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo. Butane-Propane News is profiling a large selection of the products set to be on exhibit and contact information to keep our propane marketers and propane family up-to-date. BACK OFFICE SOFTWARE EZ-Link Office , a new...

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  • People

    Women In Propane: Forging Her Own Path Back To Family Propane Business

    It would have been easy for Tori Barnett to go straight into the propane business her grandfather started in Sierra Vista, Ariz., 57 years ago and where her father, Troy Barnett, is now president. She grew up playing in the yard at Barnett’s Propane with her sister. As a teen, she assisted customers with small cylinders and worked in the office. After graduating from high school, Barnett wanted to pave her own way and prove she could achieve her own goals. She obtained a degree in business management from Grand Canyon University and a degree in dental hygiene from Phoenix College with scholarship funds from the National Propane Gas Foundation (NPGF). As she settled into her new career as a dental hygienist, Barnett quickly discovered...

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  • Feature Articles

    G20 to Discuss Global Crude Production Cut Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

    S&P Global Platts reports the G20 group of leading world economies will host a momentous energy ministers’ meeting on April 10, to discuss OPEC-led plans for a global crude production cut accord aimed at shoring up an oil market crushed by the Coronavirus pandemic. The meeting, to be held via webinar, will “foster global dialog and cooperation to ensure stable energy markets and enable a stronger global economy,” the G20 said in a statement April 7. OPEC, Russia, and nine other allies plan a summit the day prior to work out production cuts that could take as much as 10%-15% of crude supply off the market. However, delegates have said commitments for a deal have yet to be clinched. The alliance, known as OPEC+, is...

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  • Feature Articles

    Temporary COVID-19 Facilities Need to Follow NFPA 58 Requirements

    The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has been made aware of temporary facilities being erected to prepare for the increased testing, hospitalization, and quarantine rates that are anticipated as more states begin to address the impacts of the advancing COVID-19 disease. As a result, propane tanks are being installed to fuel space heating and possibly other types of equipment in these temporary facilities. The association notes that from a code perspective, NFPA 58 provides the necessary requirements to make these types of installations safely. The code defines “Temporary Service” as an installation made for not more than 12 consecutive months at a given location. The 2020 edition of NFPA 58 addresses the installation of portable storage containers for temporary use (Section 6.8.5). The code also...

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  • Feature Articles

    TSA Grants Temporary Exemption for Certain Assessments

    The Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration [Docket No. TSA–2003–14610] Exemption from Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for Certain Individuals, grants a temporary exemption from requirements in 49 CFR part 1572 regarding expiration of TSA security threat assessments (STAs) for Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) holders. For the duration of this exemption, a state may grant an extension of up to 180 days for an HME that expired or would otherwise expire between March 1, 2020, and the end date of this exemption, even if the individual was unable to initiate or complete the required STA before the expiration date. If the state grants an extension, the individual with an expired HME must initiate the process of renewing their STA for...

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  • Feature Articles

    PERC Announces Five Free Webinars, Starting April 7

    (April 6, 2020) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has scheduled five free webinars to replace education sessions it had planned to hold at trade shows that have now been postponed due to COVID-19. The webinars are designed to help propane professionals stay informed; learn new ideas; expand market knowledge; sharpen sales and marketing skills; and boost productivity. The five upcoming webinars include the following: Tuesday, April 7 , at 11 a.m. (EDT): Propane Autogas Can Do That: The Inroads to On-Road https://propane.com/newsroom/events/propane-autogas-can-do-that-the-inroads-to-on-road/ Friday, April 10 , at 11 a.m. (EDT): Combating the Competition https://propane.com/newsroom/events/combating-the-competition/ Monday, April 13 , at 11 a.m. (EDT): Workforce Outreach: Programs and Tools for Attracting New Employees https://propane.com/newsroom/events/workforce-outreach-programs-and-tools-for-attracting-new-employees-webinar/ Tuesday, April 14 , at 11 a.m. (EDT): Engage Now!...

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