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BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • Feature Articles

    Emphasizing Service and Community Involvement for 75 Years

    Although many factors go into keeping a propane company in business for 75 years, Shannon McWhorter believes strong customer service and community involvement are two areas that have led to his company, Sequoia Gas (Fortuna, Calif.), celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In the area of customer service, if someone telephones the Sequoia Gas office in either Arcata or Fortuna in Northern California, he or she can talk to a Sequoia owner, or someone with decision-making authority, any time. “If there is a problem or inquiry for more information on some kind of appliance, or what do I need to put a propane tank in, they’ll get someone on the end of the line who is going to be able to take care of them...

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  • Feature Articles

    Freeport, Texas LPG Export Terminal Fully Operational, “The Commander” Departs With First Contracted Cargo

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) announces that its Freeport LPG Export Terminal located in Freeport, Texas, is fully operational. The company loaded its first contracted cargo on the Commander, a very large gas carrier (VLGC) that departed the terminal on Dec. 16, 2016. “The startup of the Freeport LPG Export Terminal is the culmination of a four-year effort to develop a new U.S. Gulf Coast natural gas liquids (NGL) market hub that also includes Phillips 66 Partners’ 100,000 barrel-per-day Sweeny fractionator and 7.5 million barrel Clemens storage facility,” said Greg Garland, chairman and CEO of Phillips 66. “The new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal gives customers the ability to place multi-grade LPG products directly into global markets through Port Freeport, which provides immediate blue...

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  • Feature Articles

    Developing the Next-Generation Workforce…

    Recognizing the importance of engaging younger members, the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association’s (PAPGA) board of directors has established a GeneratioNext Committee. Mark Delehanty of Independence Propane (Green Lane), an early initiator of the idea, noted that attracting quality employees has been an ongoing industry problem for several years. “As our workforce gets older, there is a lot of experience falling off and not being replaced,” he said, adding the problem applies to all types of propane industry employees, including drivers, technicians, office staff, and management. Keeping PAPGA relevant is the second goal of the committee. As more senior propane company employees retire, fewer people are stepping in to take their places as association board and committee members. “Another component of GeneratioNext is getting the youths...

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  • Feature Articles

    Michigan School District Rolls Out 10 New Propane School Buses

    WATERFORD, Mich. (Dec. 15, 2016) — Waterford School District (WSD) introduced 10 new school buses fueled by propane autogas into its fleet this week, joining almost 30 other school districts in the state to operate Blue Bird Vision Propane buses. Propane is an economical alternative fuel that will allow the school district to save money in maintenance and fuel costs, and to reduce its carbon footprint. Each bus is fitted with propane fuel systems manufactured by ROUSH CleanTech, a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia, Michigan. “Prior to joining WSD, I had a very positive experience with propane-fueled buses,” said WSD Superintendent Keith Wunderlich. “School buses operating on propane are environmentally friendly and reliable in cold weather conditions, plus offer cost saving benefits.” Wunderlich...

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  • Feature Articles

    Crestwood Announces Development Of New Propane Rail Terminal In Montgomery, New York

    Kansas City, MO (December 13, 2015) – Crestwood Services, the Supply & Logistics unit of Crestwood Equity Partners LP, today announced the development of a new rail terminal in Montgomery, New York. The terminal will provide propane marketers across New York, New England and other parts of the Northeast with much-needed reliability. It is expected to open in the summer of 2017. The terminal’s state-of-the-art design will include a 16-spot rail rack operating two switches per day, assuring a capacity of up to 100 trucks per day — a volume of one million gallons. The four-spot truck rack with can pumps will load four trucks in 17 minutes, eliminating long wait times during peak winter months and optimizing daily transportation. The Montgomery terminal will be...

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  • Feature Articles

    Bosselman Energy Acquires Southwest Fertilizer

    (Grand Island, Neb.) December 8, 2016 — With more than 60 years in the petroleum business, Bosselman Energy, Inc. recently announced the completion of the acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer in Trenton, Nebraska. The acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer will assist Bosselman Energy in further expanding their footprint into western Nebraska. Southwest Fertilizer has a long-standing tradition of excellent customer service and on-time delivery due to its strong commitment to customers. Southwest Fertilizer will continue to offer refined fuels, propane, lubricants and fertilizers. Brad Williams will continue in his leadership role as Operations Manager, and all nine Southwest Fertilizer employees will remain in their current positions ensuring a smooth transition. “The acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer allows us to further expand our fuel distribution network and this will...

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  • Feature Articles

    Chicago Area Clean Cities Recognizes Top 5 Green Fleets for 2016

    CHICAGO, Ill. (Dec. 8, 2016) – The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition has announced its Top 5 Green Fleets for 2016, companies that are leading in the adoption of alternative fuels and clean-vehicle technologies for their fleets. This year’s winners include: Alpha Baking Company, R&D Bus Company and Starfish Transportation of Chicago, Gold Standard Transportation of Crestwood, Ill., and DuPage County. The Green Fleet Award winners were named last night at the coalition’s end of the year meeting. The awards are given annually to commercial or government fleets that take actions to reduce petroleum consumption and improve air quality, such as by using clean-burning alternative-fuel vehicles, electric vehicles or other advanced technologies. “The fleets we’re recognizing range from using CNG to propane to electric vehicles,...

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  • Feature Articles

    Proulx Oil & Propane Operations Manager Awarded Associate Member of the Year by Southern NH Home Builders & Remodelers Association

    Newmarket, NH (December 7, 2016) – Steve Castle, the Operations Manager at Proulx Oil & Propane, was recognized as the Southern NH Home Builders and Remodelers Association’s (SNHHBRA) Associate Member of the Year. An active member of the association, Castle is involved in many of its initiatives centered around providing quality housing opportunities through education, vision, and advocacy for the betterment of our communities. Castle, of Hampton Falls, is a licensed gas fitter in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with 30+ years of experience in the home heating fuel industry and management. He joined Proulx Oil & Propane in 2014, and was promoted to Manager of Operations last year. "We're proud of Steve and the designation from the Southern NH Homebuilders and Remodelers Association," said...

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  • Feature Articles

    MTS Deploys Eco-Friendly Propane Buses into San Diego Communities

    SAN DIEGO (Dec. 7, 2016) — Today, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System rolled out its new fleet of 77 buses fueled by emissions-reducing, economical propane autogas. The alternatively fueled buses help the agency reduce its operating costs, and will reduce emissions by 2 million pounds per year. “This is a great example of how MTS is realizing cost-savings and helping communities reduce emissions,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski. “MTS will save about $5.8 million over the five to seven-year lifecycle of the vehicles and reduce the carbon intensity by 71 percent.” MTS purchased 31 minibuses and 46 paratransit buses fueled by propane. All propane-fueled buses will be stationed at the agency’s Copley Park Division in Kearny Mesa where MTS operates 178 paratransit...

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  • Training

    FMCSA Establishes National Training Standards for New Truck and Bus Drivers

    WASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 7, 2016) – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a Final Rule establishing comprehensive national minimum training standards for entry-level commercial truck and bus operators seeking to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or certain endorsements. The standards established in today’s rule address the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and also establish minimum qualifications for entities and individuals who provide entry-level driver training. The entry-level driver training Final Rule retains many of the consensus recommendations of a negotiated rule making committee comprised of 25 stakeholders and FMCSA representatives. “Ensuring that drivers are properly trained is a critical element in improving road safety for everyone,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary...

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