topic

Feature Articles

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

  • 2018 Retail Propane Sales Jump 13.6%

    (March 16, 2020) — U.S. retail sales of odorized propane topped off at 9.3 billion gallons in 2018, marking a 13.6% advance over the 8.2 billion gallons sold in 2017, reports ICF International’s Annual Retail Propane Sales Report: U.S. Odorized Propane Sales by State and End-Use Sector. As noted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which commissions the annual survey, the stronger tally marked the first time since 2014 that sales exceeded 9 billion gallons. Further, compared to the previous decade, 2018 sales were 9.56% above the 10-year average of 8.6 billion gallons of odorized propane sold per year. In its second sales report for PERC since taking over duties from the American Petroleum Institute, ICF International comments that during 2018 the U.S….
    Read More →: 2018 Retail Propane Sales Jump 13.6%

  • Cancelled: NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane EXPO

    (March 16, 2020) — Following a declaration of a national emergency around COVID-19 by the President of the United States, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) announced Friday the Southeastern Convention & International Propane EXPO, scheduled for Nashville, TN, April 5-8, has been cancelled. This decision was made unanimously by NPGA President and CEO, Steve Kaminski, along with each of NPGA’s officers, and the Chair of NPGA’s Convention Committee. Kaminski wanted to provide this information as soon as possible. Therefore, his message did not include next steps, either as pertains to the cancellation details as it relates to your registration or exhibition or any potential rescheduling. Additional information will be forthcoming from NPGA as soon as it is developed – they are working 24/7 on…
    Read More →: Cancelled: NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane EXPO

  • Centane Associates Announces Acquisition Of Hometowne Energy Co., Inc.

    KENT, CONNECTICUT (March 10, 2020) – Cetane Associates LLC is pleased to announce that Sail Energy, LLC in Pourtsmouth, New Hampshire, has acquired the full-service energy business of Hometowne Energy Co., Inc. in Brockport, New York. With an operational footprint spanning eighteen counties in western New York, Hometowne Energy sells and delivers bulk propane, heating oil, diesel, and gasoline to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers from five facility locations (Brockport, Rochester, Penn Yan, Farmington, and Newark). Hometowne Energy also maintains an extensive service department that installs and maintains heating and cooling equipment, hot water heaters, fuel oil tanks, and indoor air quality devices. 
Sail Energy is a private equity backed company formed in 2014 to pursue growth through both organic and acquisition channels in the…
    Read More →: Centane Associates Announces Acquisition Of Hometowne Energy Co., Inc.

  • VW Trust Transit and Shuttle Bus Program Accepting Applications

    (March 4, 2020) The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the Volkswagen Trust Transit and Shuttle Bus Program through Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Qualifying applicants include government agencies and private entities that own eligible buses. Awards shall be used for the replacement of government–owned and nongovernment-owned buses 2009 and older engine model year, Class 4-8 vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000 pounds used for transporting people. School buses, defined as class 4-8 school bus style vehicles (Type A-D) with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000 pounds used to transport students to and from school or school-related activities, are not eligible under this award category. Applicants may apply to replace eligible buses or…
    Read More →: VW Trust Transit and Shuttle Bus Program Accepting Applications

  • URGENT! Help Oppose Portman Amendment to S.2657 Limiting Energy Choice

    (March 2, 2020) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has announced that the U.S. Senate is considering the American Energy Innovation Act of 2020 (S. 2657), and there is massive pressure to include a building codes amendment offered by Senator Rob Portman of Ohio. This amendment would exacerbate the current housing affordability crisis and limit energy choice to consumers , including attempts to ban energy efficient propane and natural gas in homes throughout the country. Please send an email to your U.S. Senators TODAY and urge them to oppose the amendment! Be sure to share this with as many people as you can including friends, family, online platforms, employees, business partners and encourage them to send emails and share too! If you have questions,…
    Read More →: URGENT! Help Oppose Portman Amendment to S.2657 Limiting Energy Choice

  • Coronavirus Casts Pall Over China’s Propane Dehydrogenation Plants

    (March 2, 2020) — China’s coronavirus outbreak has triggered concerns about the country’s LPG demand. Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plants may be forced to reduce operating rates as travel curbs extend across the country’s eastern provinces, causing transport and logistical disruptions that impact feedstock and product flows, trade sources tell S&P Global Platts. Such fears have taken a toll on Asia’s LPG market, with cost-insurance-freight (cfr) north Asia prices sliding to near five-month lows early in February before recovering. Meanwhile, the Saudi front-month March contract propane swap price fell to a near six-month low before edging higher, on worries of lower imports of Middle Eastern LPG, China’s main supply source. Chinese LPG wholesale buyers source their propane feedstock cargos mainly via trucks from nearby terminals. However,…
    Read More →: Coronavirus Casts Pall Over China’s Propane Dehydrogenation Plants

  • 40-Year Propane Veteran Shares Valuable Career Lessons, Free Book

    (February 28, 2020) — At the age of 20, while still a student, Chris DeCarlo started his first business. In the 40 years since then, he launched a couple more, the principal business being Fairfax Propane (Fairfax, Va.). He also married and, with his wife, is raising five children. Over the last year or so, he has also piloted a new project—writing, publishing, and now promoting a handbook for teenagers. In it, he shares his experiences in business and in life, and explains how today’s teens can think strategically, prioritize the right things, and recognize opportunities to build a career and a meaningful life. “What Now? The Teen Handbook” is primarily written for young people between the ages of 16 and 22, but DeCarlo says…
    Read More →: 40-Year Propane Veteran Shares Valuable Career Lessons, Free Book

  • Coronavirus Rolls Through Global Economy, Impacts World Industry

    (February 21, 2020) — The coronavirus will have a larger negative effect on the global economy than the SARS outbreak in 2003, writes IHS Markit. At the time of SARS, China was the sixth-largest economy, accounting for only 4.2% of world GDP. China is now the world’s second-largest economy and represents 16.3% of international GDP. Therefore, any slowdown in the Chinese economy sends not ripples, but waves across the globe. The London-based market intelligence provider notes that the coronavirus has brought large parts of the world’s second-largest economy to a standstill and the impact is being felt across industries, including energy. If the current and unprecedented confinement measures in China stay in place until the end of this month, and are lifted progressively beginning in…
    Read More →: Coronavirus Rolls Through Global Economy, Impacts World Industry

  • New Mexico’s First Propane School Buses Save District Money, Helps Environment

    MORIARTY, N.M. (February 19, 2020) — In a partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department, Los Lunas Public Schools, Magdalena Municipal School District and Moriarty-Edgewood School District have each purchased school buses fueled by propane autogas. The 17 Blue Bird Vision Propane Buses will be the first propane school buses to operate in the state. “Our district has had to dip into operational monies to supplement our transportation costs over the last eight years. Adopting propane technology will be significantly cheaper in fuel and maintenance costs,” said Teresa Salazar, superintendent of MESD, which hosted the event. Propane autogas prices average 50 percent less than diesel and reduces maintenance costs and wear and tear on the engine and components. “It is very rewarding to see…
    Read More →: New Mexico’s First Propane School Buses Save District Money, Helps Environment

  • NPGA Leaders Discuss Regulatory Successes, Challenges Ahead

    (February 19, 2020) — Following the Midwest supply issues in the fall of 2019 that consumed most of their attention, the National Propane Gas Association ’s (NPGA) Jeff Petrash, vice president and general counsel, and deputy counsel regulatory affairs, Sarah Reboli, are looking toward new concerns for 2020 and the coming decade. BPN recently spoke with the members of NPGA’s legal team about the successes and challenges the industry faces as it moves into 2020. “We still have a little unfinished business following up with FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] regarding the supply challenges,” Petrash said. “Then we have plenty to work on in the new decade.” Petrash continues to stress that decarbonization will be a huge focus for many years to come. “Electrification will…
    Read More →: NPGA Leaders Discuss Regulatory Successes, Challenges Ahead

  • Hard Facts Energy Primer Delivered to All U.S. Mayors in Washington

    (February 18, 2020) — The Institute for Energy Research (IER) delivered copies of its Hard Facts: An Energy Primer to all mayors attending January’s 88th annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. The report provides an in-depth analysis of U.S. energy resources and their significance to the economy. Distribution of the primer was aimed at grounding policy conversations in fact, not fantasy, IER said. The institute maintains too few in the U.S., be they policymaker or citizen, fully grasp the nation’s current energy story. That situation, the organization argues, is ripe for myths and misunderstandings, which can only be cleared up with undisputable facts. “Our mayors are ripe for deceit and should be very cautious about any energy policy coming out…
    Read More →: Hard Facts Energy Primer Delivered to All U.S. Mayors in Washington

  • New Irrigation, Power-Generation Engines Deliver Reliability, Remote Control

    (February 17, 2020) — Propane has long been the fuel of choice for a variety of agricultural applications including irrigation and power generation. For good reason. It is cleaner burning, does not harm water or soil because it’s nontoxic, and produces a carbon footprint that’s more of a tiptoe than a stomp.  Recently, propane-fueled engine technology took a major step forward with the introduction of Industrial-Irrigation Services ’ Reliable Horsepower line of engines . Available with displacements of 5.7-, 6.2-, 8.0-, 9.1-, and 10.3-liters, these engines cover the displacement ranges previously available, but are designed to not only provide more efficient operation, but to deliver never-before-available reliability, monitoring, and control options . The Reliable Horsepower line is a result of a partnership between Industrial-Irrigation Services,…
    Read More →: New Irrigation, Power-Generation Engines Deliver Reliability, Remote Control

OUR DIGITAL PARTNERS

trending

From Our Partners