November 4, 2019 (Dallas, Texas) — Rochester Gauges, LLC (“Rochester”), a designer and manufacturer of liquid level gauges and sensors, announced last week that it has acquired 100% of the capital stock of Fozmula Limited (“Fozmula”) from HB4. The acquisition of Fozmula is part of a multi-year strategy to expand Rochester’s technical portfolio and global footprint within the liquid level measurement segment. Founded in 1977 in Warwick, UK, Fozmula is a designer and manufacturer of liquid level sensors. The company is a leader in capacitive technology, servicing the power generation, construction, agricultural, and industrial markets. Ben Lease, President of Rochester Gauges commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Fozmula to the Rochester family. The combination is extremely synergistic, allowing us to offer Fozmula’s industry leading capacitive...

(October 28, 2019) — In 2018, 28% of global electricity was generated from renewable energy sources, writes the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Most of that generation, 96%, was produced by hydropower, wind, and solar technologies. In its International Energy Outlook 2019, EIA projects that renewables will collectively increase to 49% of world electricity generation by 2050. Of the top three renewable sources, the agency expects the share for solar generation to grow the fastest and hydroelectricity’s share to rise the slowest. EIA’s international outlook includes analysis of eight countries and eight multi-country regions. Different regional- and technology-specific factors influence the growth rates of renewable technologies throughout the world. Resource availability, renewable policies, regional load growth, and declining technology costs drive EIA’s projected increase in global...

(October 28, 2019) — Due to an increasing number of reported leaks with Overfill Protection Device (OPD) valves on consumer propane cylinders has necessitated a code change to NFPA 58 , effective January 2020. The change in the 2020 NFPA 58 code requires the inspection of the face seal on OPD valves. It is important that this be communicated to anyone who is filling propane cylinders or taking the Dispensing Propane Safely program. Below is a link to download a one-sheet Inspection Guide to help you identify cylinder valve defects and understand the new code requirements. 
 Please notify your staff of the code change that becomes effective January 2020
. NFPA 58 2020 Edition section 7.2.2.7: Prior to filling a cylinder, the face seal on...

Chicago, Illinois (October 24, 2019) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”) is pleased to announce that Boyd H. McGathey has joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. McGathey brings nearly 30 years of experience in the propane industry, having served in a variety of senior level positions where he managed retail operations, sales, safety, service quality, customer retention and profitability, among other responsibilities. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for WESROC Monitoring Solution s, an Independent Technologies company that provides tank monitoring equipment for propane and refined products industries. Prior to that, McGathey held executive positions with a number of multi-state marketers including Inergy Propane, Liberty Propane and Ferrellgas. McGathey is a Board Member of the International Young Gassers Association....

ELON, N.C. (October 24, 2019) – RegO , the leading provider of advanced valves and controls for liquid and gas in LPG, LNG, cryogenic and industrial gas industries, announced yesterday a multi-million-dollar expansion of its U.S. manufacturing capacity at the company’s Whitsett, NC, facility. RegO will upgrade several of its machining work centers with state-of-the-art equipment that will enhance operational efficiency and significantly increase machine throughput across its manufacturing lines. The manufacturing line upgrade consists of four new machining stations — two automated gantry CNC lathe/saw/washer combination cells and two automated rotary transfer machines that incorporate several machining process steps to achieve high volume production of components from bar stock of brass and stainless steel, as well as forgings of brass, stainless steel & ductile...

Harrisburg, PA (October 24, 2019) — The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA), for the first time in history, presented the Distinguished Service Life Award to Hugh A. ‘Bud’ Rich, Jr. of Richgas, Inc. , Kane, PA. Distinguished Service Life Award is for individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Association or to the propane industry and grants the recipient lifetime membership in the Association. A committee comprised of active Past Presidents and the President determine who warrants such an award. No more than one (1) such award shall be given in any Association year and it shall not be required that an award be given annually. Based on PAPGA (limited) records, Mr. Rich, Jr. was elected to the Board of Directors in 1968...

WASHINGTON (October 22, 2019) – The city of Knoxville, Tennessee, was recognized as the 2019 Green Leadership City, a distinction awarded by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to one government agency in the United States each year. Knoxville was recognized specifically for its adoption of clean, propane-powered mowers, among other environmentally friendly programs that support the city’s sustainability and emissions-reduction goals. Mayor Madeline Rogero accepted a $5,000 donation from PERC during a celebration event at Suttree Landing Park with city officials and Public Service Department employees, who operate the propane mowers regularly. The donation will benefit Knoxville’s CAC Beardsley Community Farm, a non-profit based in Knoxville’s Malcolm Martin Park, which is dedicated to promoting food security and sustainable agriculture. “The Green Leadership City...