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BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • Feature Articles

    ARRO Autogas Celebrates Opening of Propane Autogas Refueling Station

    Propane fuel provider ARRO Autogas, in partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition, and the City of Exeter, Calif., announced the opening of a new public propane autogas refueling station. The new station, located at 350 W. Firebaugh Avenue in Exeter, will celebrate its grand opening Tuesday, March 22, 2016, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Dignitaries including Exeter city officials, local and state government representatives, police and fire officials are invited to attend. The propane autogas refueling station will provide 24/7 autogas refueling for the private sector, propane fleets, the City of Exeter's propane pickup trucks and lawn mowers, and the local school district's new, cleaner- burning propane powered school buses. Ted Olsen, ARRO Autogas Market Manager stated, “What better way to celebrate...

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  • Feature Articles

    Propane Mower Incentive Funds Up to $1,000 Per Propane Mower Expected To Expire Soon

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently announced that funds for the popular Propane Mower Incentive Program will expire soon, possibly by the end of April. Time is running out for landscape contractors to take advantage of the Mower Incentive Program that provides a $1,000 rebate to applicants for each commercial propane mower purchase and $500 for each qualified propane conversion kit. “Since the incentive program was made available again in October of 2015, we’ve seen a lot of interest throughout the commercial landscape industry,” said Jeremy Wishart, deputy director of business development for PERC. “If current application rates hold steady, we expect the program to sunset by the end of April, though we hope to roll it out again in the future.” In...

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  • Feature Articles

    Opportunities Abound — Just Look Around

    This is the time of year that great ideas for growing gallons and burner tips seem to blossom. With each convention and trade show, whether focused on the propane industry or on homes and indoor and outdoor comforts, new ideas for additional burner tips are available for the taking, if convention attendees take notice. One company well-represented at the National Propane Gas Association Expo, as well as at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Show (HPBExpo), is Robert H. Peterson (City of Industry, Calif.). The 68-year-old company has partnered with the propane industry for more than 50 years, and it has been an exhibitor at the NPGA Southeastern Expo for more than 20 years. Tod Corrin, Robert H. Peterson’s executive vice president, commented, “We exhibit...

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  • Feature Articles

    The Future of Building and Propane’s Role in Building the Future

    The propane industry hopes what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. During January’s National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, the varied and efficient uses of propane were in full view of thousands of show attendees. Leading the way for the propane industry was the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Its booth was full of information extolling the virtues of propane, and was highlighted by the raffling off of a propane barbecue grill. More importantly, PERC was the sponsor of the Ultimate Kitchen exhibit, a trailer transformed into a one-bedroom, one-bath home that showcased many new products for the home builder/designer to incorporate into a home. Chief among the features was propane. All appliances in the kitchen were...

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  • Feature Articles

    Maximize Your Share, Increase Propane Burner Tips

    By Tamera Kovacs . . . Typically when we think of utility bills we categorize them as the gas bill, the electric bill, the phone bill, and so on. We have become accustomed to thinking this way because those are bills we receive and pay. But instead of focusing on who your customers write checks to, think about maximizing your share of their utility expenses by increasing the number of propane burner tips at each residential customer’s home. Consider your customers’ bills in terms of usage by utility. Are you getting the utility dollars or are those utility dollars going to someone else? Primary examples are home heating, water heating, cooking, fireplaces, supplemental heat, fire pits, and outdoor or patio kitchens…and that’s just for residential...

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  • Feature Articles

    PERC $10-Million Consumer Education Campaign Approved

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) on Feb. 18 took a substantial step toward launching a new consumer education program, approving a $10-million campaign for 2016 that uses the tagline “Proudly Propane” to create an emotional connection with consumers and marketers. Aiming to differentiate propane through emotional engagement with the product, the campaign will seek to reach consumers through television, radio, and print advertising, along with a digital communications strategy. It will also include materials and content that propane marketers can use to take part in the campaign and enhance their own marketing efforts. Although the council approved funding for the three-year campaign, PERC and The Richards Group, which is serving as PERC’s advertising agency for the project, still must decide on the centerpiece...

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  • Feature Articles

    New Group Offers One-Stop Shopping To Grow Propane Autogas Industry

    A new group, described as “an important avenue to grow the autogas industry,” has been formed by ICOM North America (New Hudson, Mich.). Named the United Propane Autogas Solutions Group, or UPAS Group, it is a coalition of member companies designed to provide fleets a seamless, one-stop approach to autogas. Members will include propane vehicle systems manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers and dealers, propane vehicle system installers and service locations, manufacturers and installers of fueling infrastructure, propane fuel suppliers/marketers, and fleets. UPAS Group says it will “enable a rapid and seamless integration of propane vehicles across North America.” Albert Venezio, chairman of ICOM and who is serving as chair of the UPAS Group, notes that the collective will also serve as a buying group, with a...

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  • Safety

    U-Haul Extends Propane Safety Initiative To Thousands As Official Provider of Phoenix International Raceway

    U-Haul is continuing its partnership with the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) and is preparing to share tips for safe propane use and safe trailering with the thousands of racing fans who will fill the PIR campgrounds for this weekend’s NASCAR events and also during the Phoenix Grand Prix, April 1-3. As the Official Propane and Trailer Provider of PIR, U-Haul International, Inc., the do-it-yourself moving and self-storage company since 1945, will expand its initiative from the 2015 fall NASCAR weekend by reaching out to more fans with its safety message. U-Haul Team Members, wearing easily identifiable orange shirts, will be visiting the PIR campgrounds daily to offer safety tips and complimentary checks of cylinders and hoses to avoid any leaks or hazards. U-Haul also will...

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  • Feature Articles

    Superior Plus Energy Services Joins Alliance AutoGas Network

    The thirteenth largest propane marketer in the U.S., Superior Plus Energy Services, headquartered in Rochester, NY, recently joined the Alliance AutoGas network, a network comprised of more than 120 independent propane marketers and authorized conversion centers throughout North America, providing a propane autogas solution to medium and heavy-duty fleets. Since 1922, Superior Plus Energy Services has served residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, transportation and government customers in nine states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Employing 1,000 individuals, Superior Plus Energy Services is one of the largest fuel marketers in the U.S. Alliance AutoGas states that current Alliance customers, which range from national transportation companies, taxi and shuttle fleets, law enforcement and private fleets throughout North America, are experiencing significant fuel cost savings and reduced maintenance...

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  • Feature Articles

    Odorant Requirements Among Latest NFPA 58 Revisions

    A requirement that the addition of odorant must be documented at the point of odorization is just one of the new provisions that will be included in the 2017 version of NFPA 58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. Among other changes are new requirements regarding placement of containers no longer connected for use, engineering for snow depth, vehicle barrier protection, and propane containers for hot air balloons. In addition, a new chapter to the document covers LP-gas for over-the-road vehicles. Eric Nette, staff liaison for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), will discuss changes in the latest version of NFPA 58 during a fast-track session on April 9 at the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo in Nashville, Tenn. Nette,...

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