(November 14, 2017) — Capt. Bernardo Herzer, chairman and founder of LEHR Inc. (Los Angeles), has a passion for creating applications for propane that result in a cleaner planet through environmentally friendly technology. Since 2004, LEHR has been producing propane-fueled lawn and garden products, as well as the world’s first line of propane-powered outboard motors. The clean-burning products are designed to be a reliable replacement for their gasoline-burning counterparts, stemming the pollutants they produce. Unlike gasoline, propane is not a water pollutant. The benefits to the environment caught the attention of the International Green Industry Hall of Fame (IGIHOF), which in October presented Herzer with its Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted him into the organization. The mission of IGIHOF is to recognize excellence and outstanding...

Well before hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria began causing their historic destruction in August and September 2017, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), and many state propane associations began preparing for the worst. As the hurricanes made landfall, many more industry stakeholders played key roles both large and small to provide relief to fellow industry members, their customers, and others hit hard by the storms. The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) had several members in the affected area. Bill Van Hoy, executive director, contacted 40 and found most companies said despite some challenges they were going to be OK. There were a few companies in definite need of help and Van Hoy mobilized volunteers from other companies in the...

(This article was slated to be published in BPN magazine prior to Hurricane Maria. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people at Empire Gas Company, and all victims affected by the recent hurricanes. For a list of relief organizations providing assistance to hurricane victims, along with their ratings, visit CharityNavigator.org. Puerto Rico is in desperate need, please consider making a donation.) While it is uncertain whether Puerto Rico will ever become the 51st state of the union, one thing is certain related to the propane world — after 50 years in business Empire Gas has certainly staked out an empire on the Isle of Enchantment. Started in 1967 by Ramon Gonzalez Cordero and Ketty Simounet with $10,000 to invest, the company was named Empire...

Jeff Petrash joined the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) in 2013 as vice president and general counsel following many years with the American Gas Association. At that time, NPGA had been looking for someone with a strong background in natural gas policy as the industry sought favorable parity with natural gas in public policy. Natural gas and propane are closely related and complementary in many ways; about 63% of U.S. propane comes from the natural gas stream. Propane is an ideal fuel for areas beyond the reach of natural gas lines because it is a portable fuel in its liquid form. But, there is also fierce competition between propane and natural gas in many areas as natural gas providers are always seeking to expand their...

Can retail propane marketers have an effect on legislation that impacts the propane industry by visiting congressional offices in Washington, D.C.? It’s not a cheap trip, but for a number of marketers and other industry leaders who went to Propane Days June 19-21, 2017, it’s a mission they believe makes a difference and an investment they are willing to make for the good of the industry. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), which moved to Washington 15 years ago in order to focus more on legislative matters, has been inviting marketers to the capital since 2005 for days of visiting legislators and promoting the industry’s agenda. After years of holding “fly-ins” to try to stop legislation that would damage the industry, Propane Days was built...

With inventory levels in mid-2017 close to mid-2013 levels, retail marketers continue to be concerned — as they have been for several months — that the winter of 2017-2018 could present similar challenges to the winter of 2013-2014. As most recall extremely vividly, that winter saw a major supply shortage, especially in the Midwest, and extreme wholesale price spikes as high as $5/gallon in the Heartland. That year, a big demand for crop drying in the fall and then an extremely cold period across most of the country created a shortage, again, especially in the Midwest. These issues then combined with a shutdown of the Cochin Pipeline on short notice for several months and a leak at Todhunter, Ohio, that closed down that usually busy terminal. With exports moving...