ROUSH CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) reviews that in 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint against Volkswagen alleging the automaker violated the Clean Air Act. During normal operation and use, Volkswagen vehicles emitted levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) significantly in excess of EPA’s compliance levels. Volkswagen was found guilty and agreed to spend up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating on emissions. Settlement funds will be used to buy back and/or modify vehicles, and to support national- and state-level projects to reduce NOx emissions. ROUSH CleanTech notes that the settlement amount is a lot of money, and some in the propane industry could have access to funds for fleet vehicle replacement. Vehicles from ROUSH CleanTech, and others, could be eligible for funding,...

WASHINGTON, DC (July 9, 2018) – On July 5, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) strongly opposed certain provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that addresses operator qualification for Cranes and Derricks in Construction. In its 244-page comment, NPGA stated that OSHA should expressly exclude the operation of cranes in the delivery or retrieval of propane containers from the regulation. To require propane field technicians who use cranes to deliver/retrieve propane containers to obtain the same third-party certifications as construction crane operators would be unlawful, would impose costs far greater than any purported benefits, and would violate fundamental principles adopted by the administration of President Donald J. Trump concerning agency rulemaking. NPGA President and CEO Richard Roldan...

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2018) – The Propane Education & Research Council’s Propane Training Academy has a new online course available that provides remodelers and other construction professionals with an overview of home remodeling trends and how innovative propane technologies can add value to remodeling projects. The online course, Adding Value and Innovation to Remodeling Projects with Propane: Opportunities to Leverage High Performance Propane Systems, will count toward continuing education credits from the American Institute of Architects, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the U.S. Green Building Council. Construction professionals can take the course for free. Upon completion of the course, attendees will understand: • Current remodeling industry market trends based on industry research data. • The most common remodeling...

With 7 million all-electric homes beyond the gas mains, electric heat pumps have outpaced propane as the primary heat source across a large swath of the energy marketplace. The challenge propane displacement poses to the industry is being addressed by a group of forward-thinking propane marketers, industry organizations, and Rinnai America Corp. The team has developed a competitive response to grow propane gallons with the introduction of an innovative hydronic space heating solution that has the ease of one-button simplicity. The presentation “Growing Residential Gallons with Hydronic Space Heating” at the 2018 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo featured speakers Randy Doyle, CFO of Blossman Gas (Ocean Springs, Miss.); Armistead Mauck, owner and vice president of Cherry Energy (Kinston, N.C.); and Mike Peacock, energy...

The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation to determine whether steel propane cylinders from China, Taiwan, and Thailand are being dumped in the U.S., as well as a countervailing duty probe to resolve if producers in China are receiving unfair subsidies. The investigations were initiated based on petitions filed by Worthington Cylinders (Columbus, Ohio) and Manchester Tank & Equipment Co. (Franklin, Tenn.) in May. There are 18 alleged subsidy programs for China—two loan programs, three export credit/guarantee programs, five tax programs, three provision of goods for less than adequate remuneration programs, and five grant programs. The alleged dumping margins are: China from 55.41% to 108.6%, Taiwan from 28.19% to 66.20%, and Thailand 47.67% to 122.48%. In the dumping investigation, Commerce will determine whether...

In the pages of its June 2018 issue, BPN takes a look at how some propane companies are making the most of their status as a family-owned business. These articles are the first in a series on this topic. We will celebrate more family businesses in the next few issues of BPN. Please contact us if you would like your family business to be featured in an upcoming issue of BPN. In each of the past three years, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has proclaimed a day in June to be Family Business Day. “Family businesses are a great and significant component of our heritage and culture, and greatly contribute to the commonwealth’s economy,” his 2017 proclamation says. It also reports that family-owned businesses account for...

(June 15, 2018) — Dallas, Texas-based Renovo Capital LLC recently announced it had acquired Rochester Gauges LLC from Gas Equipment Co. (Dallas). Details of the transaction were not released. Renovo notes the acquisition launches a new platform investment in the sensor and measurement space in partnership with industry executive and operating partner Frank Guidone, who previously led Measurement Specialties Inc., a business he sold to TE Connectivity in 2014. Founded in 1913, Rochester Gauges is a manufacturer of gauges and sensors that measure liquid levels. Renovo’s investment will allow Rochester to continue its long history of manufacturing, as well as provide the resources and expertise to accelerate development of leading-edge products. “We are excited to continue the legacy that the LaDue family has successfully built...