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BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • Feature Articles

    FREE Missouri VW Settlement Funding Workshop

    KANSAS CITY, MO (August 12, 2019) — The next round of funding from the Missouri VW Settlement is now open and the state is accepting grant applications in two categories. The Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) wants to help your company or municipality apply for this outstanding funding opportunity. A free workshop will be held Friday, August 16th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Project Living Proof, 917 Cleaver II Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri. County and city governments are invited to apply to repower or replace Class 4-8 diesel trucks and can receive up to 75% of associated costs. Private- and public-sector bus fleets are also encouraged to apply for funding to replace or repower diesel transit and shuttle buses. Reimbursement will range from 25-75%,...

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  • Feature Articles

    Propane Fleet Honored For Clean Air Leadership

    (August 12, 2019) — When the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS; San Diego, Calif.) looked at alternative fuels to find a replacement for gasoline in its paratransit buses and minibuses, it determined that propane autogas provided the tank capacity and range those vehicles require. Today, nearly three years after it began transitioning those fleets to propane, MTS has found that the propane buses also operate cleaner and more economically. “These buses are doing a lot for the environment in San Diego and Southern California,” Jay Washburn, manager of paratransit and minibus at MTS, told BPN. “They also allow us to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars by reducing costs.” MTS was honored at the recent Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo with a Fleet...

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  • Feature Articles

    Agricultural Producers Urged To Fill Propane Tanks Early

    (August 9, 2019) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging agricultural producers to consider filling their propane tanks early to prepare for higher demand this fall from later harvests and increased grain drying needs. Noted is that record-breaking flooding in the Midwest and saturated soil in many states delayed planting of most crops, which will delay harvests as well. Later harvests and an increase in crop drying—the majority of which is fueled by propane—will cause propane demand to be higher in the late fall, when it is already higher due to rising residential and agricultural heating needs. PERC recommends farmers contact their propane supplier to inquire about fuel contract opportunities to lock in lower prices, and fill propane tanks early. “We typically...

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  • Feature Articles

    ANOVA Welcomes Industry Veteran William Kroll As First Advisor

    NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ (August 8, 2019) — Anova announced this week that it has appointed industry veteran, William (Bill) Kroll, as its first advisor to support the company through a period of immense expansion. In April of this year, Anova became the new name for DataOnline, WESROC, Wikon and iTank , and most recently joined forces with Portugal-based Intelligent Sensing Anywhere (ISA) . With over 40 years of experience, Bill brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise spanning nearly every facet of business. Having spent more than half of his career with Matheson, most recently as Chairman and CEO, Bill is the epitome of a dynamic leader. During his years with Matheson, he focused on the strategic direction and growth of the company, particularly the...

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  • Feature Articles

    Additional Tariffs Would Hurt USA Oil and Gas Industry

    (August 7, 2019) — The latest U.S. tariffs threatened against Chinese imports would hamper U.S. energy exports, hurt domestic energy security, and push China to import more oil and gas from countries like Iran and Russia, the American Petroleum Institute (API) argued at U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) hearings, as reported by S&P Global Platts. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods that have not been targeted so far, leaving room for an escalation of the trade dispute on both sides. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative held seven days of testimony in Washington, D.C. and heard testimony from more than 300 companies and trade organizations on the Section 301 tariffs. “China’s expected retaliation against U.S....

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  • Feature Articles

    GoPro Video Offers First-Hand Footage of Mower Operations

    (August 5, 2019) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has released a new online video featuring footage captured by GoPro cameras positioned from the equipment operator’s point of view. The video shows what it’s really like to use a propane commercial mower. To view the video and see new resources for municipalities considering a shift to propane equipment, visit http://bit.ly/2yUwXWD . “We were looking for a fun way to show equipment fleet managers, department directors, and professional landscapers what it’s really like to operate with propane,” said Jeremy Wishart, PERC director of off-road business development. “These first-hand accounts are really incredible and we hope the video can serve as a virtual demonstration to those who might be considering a move to commercial propane...

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  • Feature Articles

    Rock Sampling Expediition Aboard Highland Eagle Vessel Shapes Line 5 Tunnel

    (August 2, 2019) — U.S. imports of crude oil from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in March 2019 totaled 1.5 MMbbld, their lowest level since March 1986, based on data in the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Petroleum Supply Monthly report. U.S. crude imports from OPEC members have generally fallen over the previous decade as domestic oil production has increased, EIA comments. From the early 1980s through the late 2000s, OPEC member countries were the source of about half of all U.S. oil imports. In the past 10 years, however, total U.S. imports have fallen and OPEC’s share of those imports has decreased. Non-OPEC countries such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia have made up larger shares of U.S. crude imports....

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  • Feature Articles

    Propane Autogas Hybrid Taxis Featured In New PERC Video

    WASHINGTON (July 31, 2019) — The Propane Education & Research Council has added a video to its popular Straight Talk series about a first-of-its-kind taxi fleet using a combination of dedicated propane autogas and propane autogas hybrid vehicles to remove thousands of tons of emissions from the local environment. Yellow Checker Star Transportation in Las Vegas operates nearly 600 dedicated propane autogas vehicles and 300 propane autogas hybrid taxis. “We’ve worked with Yellow Checker Star for many years and the cost savings and environmental benefits they have seen with propane autogas is tremendous,” said Michael Taylor, director of autogas business development at PERC. “Fleet owners who watch this Straight Talk video will hear real-world results directly from the Yellow Checker Star team about the company’s...

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  • Feature Articles

    South Carolina Invests $9 Million In Clean, Propane School Buses, Public Transit

    COLUMBIA, S.C., (July 31, 2019) — Governor Henry McMaster, joined by S.C. Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman, and S.C. Department of Insurance (SCDOI) Director Ray Farmer, announced that the first round of funding from the state’s share of the Volkswagen Settlement Fund will be used to invest in new, propane-powered school buses to replace aging buses at the South Carolina Department of Education, and to invest in clean energy public transportation in the Lowcountry and in the City of Anderson. “This is a good day for South Carolina and a good day for our team,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “I want to thank Superintendent Spearman for submitting this proposal and making sure this money goes towards getting the new buses that our students need. I...

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