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Feature Articles

In-depth feature stories examining the trends, challenges and innovations shaping the propane and LPG industry.

  • Enbridge Line 5 Partially Closed Amid Continued Study of Infrastructure

    Since 2017, there has been intense focus on Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline, originally constructed in 1953, which according to Enbridge is a 645-mile, 30-in.-diameter pipeline that begins in Superior, Wis., travels through Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and terminates in Sarnia, Ont., Canada. As it travels under the Straits of Mackinac, Line 5 splits into two 20-in.-diameter, parallel pipelines that are buried onshore and taper off deep underwater, crossing the Straits west of the Mackinac Bridge for a distance of 4.5 miles. The concern of a pipeline leak in the Straits has had many Michigan government officials, environmental groups, and Native Americans pushing for permanent closure of Enbridge Line 5. A plan is in the works for a tunnel for the pipeline underneath the…
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  • Gas Logs: The Ambience Of A Wood Fire, Without Ash And Smoke

    For homeowners who are interested in a fireplace primarily for the beauty and ambience it provides, propane gas logs are an attractive option. Gas logs are cleaner and more convenient than a wood fire and more affordable than a fireplace insert. “A better way to enjoy the beauty of a wood fire is with a gas log, vented or vent free,” says Jerry Scott, senior vice president of RH Peterson Co. (City of Industry, Calif.). RH Peterson has been manufacturing gas logs in southern California since 1949. Gas logs are intended to be installed in an existing fireplace, replacing wood with ceramic objects in a variety of styles and a flame fueled by natural gas or propane. Compared to wood, they are cleaner and more…
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  • Request for Proposals: Fleet-Based Alternative fuel Deployments in Kansas/Missouri

    (July 29, 2020) — The Kansas City Regional and Central Kansas Clean Cities Coalitions, programs of the Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC), have issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) to support the deployment of new alternative fueling vehicles and/or refueling stations for fleet-based deployments; and/or to build additional capacity into existing fleets alternative fueling infrastructure. The goal of Metropolitan Energy Center is to increase the use and acceptance of clean alternatives to gasoline and diesel, to leverage business and community relationships to make such investments possible, and to provide shared fueling arrangements as applicable to a specific fueling site or sites.  MEC has allocated a maximum $1,014,377 in federal funding to support a minimum total project cost of $2,254,170. MEC anticipates making up to 4 awards. A…
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  • Outdoor Portable Propane Heaters: Great Way To Extend Outdoor Dining

    (October 2, 2020) – Legacy Energy Consulting (Otsego, Minn.) has named Jason LeVine as vice president of business development. He will work in acquisitions, and will market Tankfarm in 18 states, including the Ohio Valley, and southern and mid-Atlantic states. Previously, LeVine was a business development executive working in acquisitions with Ferrellgas, and he also spent seven years as a regional sales manager with BASE Engineering. Tyler Pendill has joined Legacy Energy Consulting as director of business development, working primarily with the marketing efforts of Tankfarm. He will contribute to the acquisition efforts as well. He prevously worked for Ferrellgas in Salt Lake City. The Missouri Propane Gas Association (MPGA) recently elected its officers and directors to serve on the board of directors for 2020-2021….
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  • Propane Gas Fireplaces Offer Contemporary Looks, Modern Features

    As people spend more time at home, many are browsing websites and looking for ways to upgrade their surroundings. So says Richard Constant, a product specialist at Bergquist Inc. (Toledo, Ohio), a wholesale propane equipment distributor. His areas of expertise include fireplace and gas hearth products as well as outdoor products. “With people staying at home, they are getting tired of looking at the same thing,” he says. “They are ready to update.” Many are choosing to update by modernizing their indoor fireplace. “It looks like we’re moving into a contemporary look and operation of the fireplace,” Constant reports. “There’s more emphasis on higher-end direct-vent fireplace inserts. People are also remodeling—tearing out the old brick-and-masonry units to gut and redo them.” A contemporary look generally…
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  • Brainstorming To Grow Propane Gallons

    Just days before the COVID-19 virus turned the world upside down, leaders from key segments of the propane industry were invited to the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) Propane Markets Summit in Orlando in late February 2020 to discuss ways to grow gallons in the U.S. “The goal for the event was to look at the propane markets holistically,” said Bridget Kidd, PERC’s senior vice president, industry relations. “This included bringing in experts from outside the propane industry, including manufacturing and marketing people from companies that create products that utilize propane. Customers were also represented. Ultimately, we wanted to discuss ways to grow gallons with a wide range of perspectives.” The program was conducted in a “world café” structured conversational process for knowledge sharing….
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  • Education, Data And Planning Key To 2020-2021 Propane Supply

    The propane wholesale supply situation is well-known for its twists and turns. Over the past couple of decades, the U.S. moved from being a net importer of propane to a net exporter of propane as numerous shale plays in the U.S. made propane abundant for U.S. retail propane marketers. As production capacity ramped up, millions and millions of dollars were put into building up export capacity. New export terminals and refrigeration facilities were built in the Gulf Coast as well as on the East and West Coasts. The Panama Canal was widened to accommodate larger ships and more pipelines in the U.S. were reconfigured to move propane rapidly toward the export facilities. Exports remain essential to propane markets as they function to balance supply and…
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  • NPGA Celebrates Industry’s Resilience, Announces Current Projects

    The industry’s resilience in coping with the pandemic and preparing for winter after unprecedented changes in upstream production, was the focus of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) 2020 Annual Meeting & June Board Meeting. Speakers noted how propane marketers have adapted, how NPGA has assisted, and how some current projects will help the industry continue to respond. Held June 15, the event was, for the first time, a virtual meeting. Originally scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., it was moved to a webinar format due to uncertainty around restrictions on large gatherings and travel. THE NEW REALITY Reflecting on the change, and on the many happenings during his year as NPGA chair, Randy Thompson said, “A year goes by quickly. Mine started with…
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  • Propane Industry Advocacy Continues During COVID-19 Pandemic

    The pandemic has led to cancellations of travel and meetings, but the propane industry can and should continue to advocate for its interests in other ways. Four members of Congress delivered that message during webinars hosted by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), June 8-10. The webinars themselves were one way NPGA is carrying on its advocacy. Around the time members of the industry would normally have flown to Washington, D.C., for the annual Propane Days, the webinars allowed attendees to hear an industry advocate talk with the four representatives in a virtual forum. “As we heard from the representatives, if they don’t hear from us about our issues, they don’t know what they are,” Michael Baker, NPGA’s director, legislative affairs, told BPN after he…
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  • The State of the Delivered Fuels Industry

    Kicking off the Energize 2020 Digital Conference last April, Steven Abbate, president of Cetane Associates (Kent, Conn.), provided an overview of the state of the propane industry amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic. “The propane industry is luckier than many industries,” Abbate said, noting that the gambling industry was taking a $261-billion per year hit on sports betting alone. Airlines, cruise ships, hotels, movie theaters, and live sports were also industries noted for the many billions being lost and massive job losses and likely bankruptcies to follow. Abbate shared data showing propane sales so far this year close to even with the previous year, despite COVID-19 losses throughout the economy. “The demand for stay-at-home services is up,” Abbate noted. As further evidence of interest in stay-at-home…
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  • New Online Educational Resource Database for Fleets, Service Technicians

    WASHINGTON (June 30, 2020) – The Propane Education & Research Council created online learning resources with educational information about propane autogas for fleets and service technicians that are starting to return to work after recent shutdowns while navigating through new challenges. “The pandemic has been a wakeup call and it has many fleets reevaluating their best practices and operational efficiencies, including their fuel choices,” said Steve Whaley, director of autogas business development at PERC. “For fleets that aren’t familiar with propane autogas, these resources are a great place to start to learn how the energy source can help reduce their costs and emissions. For fleets that already operate with propane autogas, these resources will help them smoothly get back to business.” The pages feature several…
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  • 10 Factors That Affect The Value Of Your Propane Business

    By Tamera Kovacs and Cooper Wilburn… There are many factors that go into a retail propane marketer’s decision to sell their business but typically there is one key factor that propels them to act. That one deciding factor is unique to each marketer as to when the time is right. Today, retailers have another factor to consider, COVID-19. Should they proceed with their plans to sell or should they wait? That answer is not as straightforward as one might hope—the COVID-19 impact is just another factor that must be weighed into the decision-making process. When considering the impact COVID-19 will have on the sale of propane businesses, most buyers will look at how it has impacted their business specifically. They will look at how it…
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