More than 85% of landscape contractors using commercial propane lawn mowers in their fleets are likely to continue adding propane equipment to their businesses, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Of those polled, nearly all contractors started the transition to propane by installing a conversion kit on existing equipment, PERC reports, a quick and inexpensive path to reduce fuel costs and downtime on nearly any brand of commercial mower. “This latest data is proof positive that contractors who make the initial transition to a propane mower are satisfied with their purchase, and frequently end up purchasing or converting more equipment to propane,” said Jeremy Wishart, PERC director of off-road business development. “The fact that...

CHICAGO, May 20, 2019 – EY has announced that Tom Knauff, CEO of Energy Distribution Partners (EDP), is a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 Award in the Midwest. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who excel in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities, while also transforming our world. Mr. Knauff was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Winners will be announced at a gala event on June 12, 2019, at Navy Pier in Chicago. “I am honored to be chosen as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Credit goes to our entire team at Energy Distribution Partners, who have built EDP from a start-up in 2012 into the...

Electric and hydrogen infrastructure is receiving preferential treatment in recently introduced legislation – so tell Congress to not play favorites and provide opportunities for all alternative fuels, including propane. The National Alternative Fuel Corridors program, which was created through the FAST Act in 2015, ordered the Federal Highway Administration to create interstate highway corridors with appropriate signage for alternative fueling stations. The corridors included four alternative fuels: electricity (battery electric vehicles), hydrogen, propane, and natural gas. Recently, Senator Tom Carper introduced S. 674, the “Clean Corridors Act of 2019.” Among other things, this bill would create grant funding opportunities for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along the designated alternative fuel corridors. But under S. 674, propane would not be...

Bloomberg reports that President Donald Trump is seriously considering waiving the requirement that only U.S.-flagged vessels can transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) from American ports to Puerto Rico and the Northeast. The news service cites unnamed people familiar with the deliberations. The issue is said to have been debated during an Oval Office meeting in late April following requests from Puerto Rico and pressure from energy industry leaders to ease the nearly 100-year-old cabotage statute. The act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on vessels built, owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It is also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Although top administration officials are reported to be divided on the issue, Trump is leaning in...

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute (GEI) has rolled out its American Energy: Cleaner, Stronger agenda aimed at promoting continued economic growth and environmental progress through a sustained focus on technology development and innovation in the energy industry. The initiative will highlight the technologies, people, and companies making investments in the nation’s energy sector and will advocate for energy policies that further a bipartisan mission to spur innovation, lower emissions, and foster economic growth. A new poll of likely 2020 voters conducted by FTI Consulting and released by GEI in April shows Americans overwhelmingly support an innovation-driven cleaner, stronger approach over policies centered on expanded government regulation. “The U.S. energy industry has been among the most innovative sectors of the economy, and will...

Airline passengers departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are now enjoying meals delivered by clean-operating propane autogas vehicles. HACOR Inc. (Los Angeles), an in-flight airline catering services provider, purchased seven Ford F-750 delivery trucks fueled by autogas, a domestically produced, clean, and economical fuel. The company serves several airlines, among them Singapore Airlines, Asiana, and All Nippon. “LAX will significantly benefit from our low-emission catering trucks, as will the nearby communities that we are operating from and within,” said Jason Lee, general manager of HACOR, which delivers up to 15,000 airline meals a day out of the airport. “The versatility and reliability of these propane vehicles allows us to operate our standard delivery and operating methods but with a low-emission fuel.” Each of HACOR’s vehicles...

WASHINGTON (May 7, 2019) – The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) launched a new resource center that will provide school transportation professionals with in-depth information about the advantages to purchasing propane autogas school buses and a Volkswagen Trust Resource Center-curated state-by-state map with details regarding how to identify and apply for Volkswagen settlement funds. With the resources provided in the Volkswagen Trust Resource Center, school transportation professionals will learn more about the benefits of propane autogas, how to accurately evaluate NOx reductions and how to calculate the total cost savings for propane autogas. Propane autogas school buses reduce NOx emissions by up to 96 percent compared to model year equivalent diesel school buses. Plus, propane autogas is 93 percent more cost-effective than clean diesel...

(May 7, 2019) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, announced the acquisition of Pacific Propane which serves propane customers in and around Castroville, California. This is EDP’s 23rd transaction. Pacific Propane was founded in 1998 and was later purchased by Maskey and Paula Heath. After Maskey passed away in 2016, Paula continued to build the business through focusing on providing exceptional service to their customers. Pacific Propane primarily serves residential propane customers in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties. Energy Distribution Partners CEO Tom Knauff said, “We are extremely pleased to assume ownership of Pacific Propane. We welcome their employees to EDP and are committed to continuing to provide the high level of service Pacific Propane customers have come to expect....