The Propane Education Research Council (PERC), along with leading propane vehicle suppliers and fleets that have successfully deployed propane autogas as a clean, sustainable transportation fuel are hosting a FREE webinar, Wednesday, January 23, 2018 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. CST. PERC will provide a general overview of propane as an economical, environmentally-sustainable transportation fuel. Several fleets from different sectors including law enforcement, school bus, paratransit, tow truck/wrecker industry, and others will share their stories, experiences, and lessons learned regarding why they chose to upgrade to clean, abundant American propane. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, get myths dispelled and address concerns with PERC and the fleets and suppliers (ICOM Alternative Fuel Systems, Alliance AutoGas and ROUSH CleanTech) participating. To register for this free webinar...

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute have discovered nearly two dozen types of microbes, many of which use hydrocarbons such as methane and butane as energy sources to survive and grow, meaning the newly identified bacteria might be helping to limit the concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere and might one day be useful for cleaning up oil spills. In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers documented extensive diversity in the microbial communities living in the extremely hot, deep-sea sediments in the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. The team uncovered new microbial species that are so genetically different from those that have been previously studied that they represent new branches in the tree of life....

(January 7, 2019) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, has acquired Anderson Propane Services with operations located in southeastern Ohio. Danny and Lisa Anderson have owned and managed Anderson Propane Services since 1999. The company was founded in 1955 by Mr. Anderson’s grandfather and primarily serves residential customers in and around Caldwell and Uhrichsville, Ohio. The company has grown dramatically in recent years due to its reputation for exceptional customer service. According to Danny Anderson, “We greatly value our employees, our customers and our involvement in the local community, so when we decided to transition our business, we looked for a quality company that would continue to carry on our commitment to our core values. We selected EDP because of its reputation...

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (January 7, 2019) — Three Greeneville Police Department patrol cars are now fueled by propane. The police department has partnered with Alliance AutoGas for a program designed to save money, help the environment and improve emergency response by converting to propane fuel, according to a news release from the Town of Greeneville. The police department launched the initiative Jan. 1 and is now using propane fuel in three new patrol vehicles. The move is projected to save the Town of Greeneville an estimated $10,000 a year, according to Police Chief Tim Ward. “This opportunity will double the way we take care of our community,” Ward said. He listed several benefits from using propane fuel: No up-front cost and savings through a fuel price...

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) in December commended U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Elaine Chao for granting the federation’s petition to preempt confusing and duplicative state rest-break rules, and for asserting the federal government’s critical role in regulating interstate commerce. “This is a victory for highway safety, not trial lawyers,” said ATA president and CEO Chris Spear. “The trucking industry supports our nation’s economic growth by safely and efficiently moving goods across state lines, and this decision by the Department of Transportation will save jobs, unburden businesses throughout the supply chain, and keep the prices Americans pay for food, clothing, and countless other essential items affordable and accessible.” In late September, ATA petitioned DOT to preempt meal- and rest-break rules imposed by California—but primarily...

ThompsonGas LLC (Frederick, Md.) has acquired Sylacauga, Ala.-based Automatic Gas & Appliance Co. ThompsonGas reports the transaction was the company’s sixth acquisition in 2018. Details regarding the deal were not released. “Finalizing the acquisition of Automatic Gas completes a record year for us at ThompsonGas,” said company CEO Jeff Kerns. “We have added over 150 employees to our team and more than 50,000 customers in 2018. Automatic Gas is a well-established company within our Alabama footprint. Their experienced employees will continue with us to service the region. We will continue to grow our footprint in the South and are seeking quality propane companies to acquire.” Janet Vawter, Automatic Gas & Appliance president, commented, “It was once said that ‘the only place where success comes before...

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is calling attention to a fuel price forecast published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in November 2018 that expects gasoline prices to average more than $2.75 a gallon in 2019. PERC is reminding professional landscape contractors to prepare now for yet another season of work with high gasoline prices. “No contractor likes to think about all the money their business has to expend just to purchase fuel, and we certainly hear more complaints from contractors when gasoline prices start to approach that $3-per-gallon mark when it turns from a nuisance to a cost that sometimes they financially can’t bear,” said Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development at PERC. “But contractors don’t have to feel hopeless against...

Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (Dover, Del.) announced in Dec. 2018 that its propane subsidiary, Sharp Energy Inc. (Georgetown, Del.) has purchased the propane operating assets of R.F. Ohl Fuel Oil Inc., which is based in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. R.F. Ohl is a family-owned and -operated company founded in 1984. It has been providing propane service to more than 2500 residential and commercial customers in Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania since 2003. Sharp Energy starting providing propane service in Pennsylvania that same year and now serves more than 6000 customers throughout the state. “We are excited to further expand our propane footprint throughout the Pennsylvania region and to continue our longstanding track record in meeting the energy needs of our customers,” said Bob Zola,...

Energy Distribution Partners (EDP) announced in December 2018 that its chief financial officer, Mark Janek, was honored as Chicago CFO of the Year for private, mid-sized companies by the Chicago chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI). Mr. Janek was cited by the Chicago financial leaders’ group for his skills in effectively and efficiently growing EDP’s business; integrating acquisitions; raising capital; managing investor relationships and building a collaborative culture of high-performing people. Since joining EDP in 2014, Mr. Janek has guided the Chicago-based company through 16 of its 20-plus successful acquisitions, providing financial and organizational leadership for a rapid coast- to-coast expansion. EDP now serves more than 90,000 residential and commercial customers in nine states. LP Gas Magazine has ranked EDP as the nation’s 15th largest...