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Feature Articles

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

  • Keep The Party Outdoors With Propane and Innovation

    (February 13, 2020) — As propane grills have become commonly used for outdoor cooking, other new products have been added in recent years to make outdoor living a much easier and more enjoyable experience on the deck or patio. “Just like indoor gas fireplaces, people like the convenience of gas grills, gas fire tables, and conversation pits on the deck and in the backyard,” says Eric Hawkinson, vice president of operations with The Outdoor GreatRoom Co. , based in Minneapolis. “They haven’t always enjoyed just hanging out around the gas grill, so we’ve come up with products that are more like an open fire to sit around and enjoy.” EASE AND CONVENIENCE Hawkinson believes the ease, convenience, and safety of these products are what make…
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  • PERC Strengthens Business Development, Industry Relations Teams

    WASHINGTON (February 12, 2020) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has added four staff members to its business development and industry relations units, according to President and CEO Tucker Perkins. “The newest additions to our team — Stephen Whaley, Joseph Calhoun, Erin Lee, and Rachel Hrabik — make us stronger in at least two key areas, business growth, and customer service,” Perkins says. “They bring experience, expertise, and drive to their work on behalf of the propane industry.” Stephen Whaley, Director of Autogas Business Development will manage the over-the-road market portfolio for PERC. He is responsible for growing propane autogas market share in on-highway light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle markets. His focus will be on new product research and development, product launches, maintenance…
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  • Emergency Action Plans Must Be Written, Reviewed, Distributed

    (February 11, 2020) — There’s an emergency and your facility has been evacuated. Employees have gathered outside, but someone is missing. Is that person still in the building, or was the person absent today? That scenario is an example of why “accounting of employees” is one of the many required elements of an emergency action plan. At a recent meeting of the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) , the association’s safety consultant, Rob Scott, explained that propane marketers should know each day who has shown up to work and who hasn’t. An emergency action plan isn’t something that’s created once; it’s something that must be reviewed on a regular basis. “There’s always an accident waiting to happen,” Scott said. “The question is: Are we ready…
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  • California Rebuked For Delegating Environmental Stewardship

    (February 10, 2020) — An op-ed in Eurasia Review rebukes California for delegating its environmental stewardship to proxies. Noted is that the Golden State, with the world’s fifth-largest economy, ballyhoos its green leadership. However, its love of importing electricity and oil exposes its passion to green-up at any cost to fobbing off environmental guardianship to other countries and states that have significantly less controls. While other states have encouraged exploration and development efforts that have contributed to the U.S. emerging as a leading energy producer and exporter, California’s leaders “believe it is better to import crude oil instead of increasing in-state crude oil production from the largest shale reserves and ocean crude oil reserves in the country, found in the Monterey Shale and Pacific Ocean.”…
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  • Energy-Related CO2 Expected to Fall Annually Through 2021

    (February 7, 2020) — The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) January Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts year-over-year decreases in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through 2021. After declining 2.1% in 2019, energy-related emissions are seen retreating by 2% in 2020 and again by 1.5% in 2021 for a third consecutive year of decreases. EIA notes these declines come after an increase in 2018 when weather factors caused energy-related CO2 emissions to rise 2.9%. If the forecast holds, energy-related CO2 emissions will have declined in seven of the 10 years from 2012 to 2021. And with the forecast declines, the 2021 level of fewer than five billion metric tons would be the first time emissions have been at that level since 1991. After a slight pullback in 2019,…
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  • ThompsonGas Acquires All American Propane

    (February 6, 2020) — ThompsonGas (Frederick, Md.) has announced the acquisition of All American Propane, a propane provider in Yakima, Wash. Details regarding the transaction were not released. ThompsonGas noted it was proud to welcome All American Propane’s residential, commercial, and industrial customers who have valued the company’s presence in the area for many years. “We are pleased to add All American Propane to the ThompsonGas family,” said ThompsonGas CEO Jeff Kerns. “All American Propane presents a unique opportunity to expand our northwest operations into eastern Washington.” “All American is a great company serving one of the most important agricultural areas in our country,” added Jim Davis, ThompsonGas COO. “We are so pleased to partner with this great group of people to grow the business…
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  • Blossman Gas Acquires Two Southeast Propane Companies

    Swannanoa, NC (February 6, 2020) — Blossman Gas, Inc. , the larg est privately held propane company in the US, has acquired two Southeastern propane companies: Stateline Gas of Ranburne, AL, and Youmans Gas & Oil of Hollywood, SC.  Youmans Gas & Oil has been in business in South Carolina for more than 80 years. When asked about the change, former president John Boineau said, “I’m extremely positive about this transition for Youmans with Blossman Gas, and expect that our customers will receive the same level of care and service that we have provided them since 1937.”  Stateline Gas has been in the Georgia and Alabama markets since 1999.  Both businesses were previously family-owned, making for a seamless integration into Blossman Gas, a 3rd generation…
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  • Bergquist, Inc. Announces New President, Employee Promotions

    Toledo, Ohio (February 4, 2020) — Bergquist, Inc ., an industry leader in wholesale propane equipment distribution, today announced the appointment of Lauren Clark as president of the company. In addition to this promotion, Bergquist also announced new roles for three other employees: Bob Barry, CFO; Joe Montroy, vice president of sales; and Scott Biggs, director of outside sales. Formerly, as vice president of operations, Clark oversaw all accounting, IT and HR functions. Prior to her role within the company, Clark worked for a domestic third-party logistics provider at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. Clark joined the family distribution business at Bergquist in 2009 and has been actively involved with the company’s continued growth over the past decade. In her new role, Clark is responsible for…
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  • Vote For WLPGA To Win Green4Sea Initiative Award

    (February 3, 2020) — The World LPGas Association (WLPGA) has once again received the honor of being short-listed for the Green4Sea Initiative Award. This nomination was received for the WLPGA's organization's “LPG Bunkering, Guide for LPG Marine Fuel Supply” Report of 2019. GREEN4SEA Initiative Award is awarded to any organization or association that has sparked, realized, or significantly contributed with a specific initiative toward more environmentally sustainable shipping. The WLPGA nomination is a vote of confidence for the significant work done by the organization on behalf of the marine industry. The award is granted through a voting process. BPN invites propane industry professionals to cast a vote for WLPGA and its work deserving of this presitigious award. Voting takes less than five minutes. Click the…
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  • NPGA Update: Alternative Fuel Tax Credit Reinstated, Retroactive

    (January 31, 2020) — In December 2019, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) played a critical role in the reinstatement of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit and the Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit . These credits are estimated to be worth more than $500 million dollars to the propane industry. In its NPGA Legislative Report released today, the NPGA advises its members not to leave money, on the table. Below are Next Steps as recommended by the NPGA: Share the Alternative Fuel Credits Fact Sheet with your tax professional. This document is not tax advice. It is a tool to be shared with your tax professional. A tax professional can determine eligibility and use of the credit. Keep in mind – the tax credit is…
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  • Smart-Hose® Technologies Granted Exception by Railroad Commission of Texas (RRCT)

    (January 31, 2020) — Smart-Hose® Technologies has been granted an exception from the RRCT LP-Gas Safety Rule Section 9.143(d)(7)(E)(i-ii) which mandates a 12" schedule 80 riser pipe be used for product transfer at bulk-head applications. The exception allows LPG bulk head transfer applications to utilize the Smart-Hose Break-Away coupler as an alternative. The Smart-Hose Break-Away coupler is designed with an engineered break point located between two swing check valves. In the event of a pull-away, the Smart-Hose Break-Away coupler would automatically shut off at both the bulk-head and tank truck side. This exception improves the safety of product transfers at bulk-head applications. NOTE: This exception is not limited to a specific location. The Smart-Hose Break-Away Coupler: Designed as a passive safety device, the Smart-Hose Break-Away…
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  • Canada’s Largest Propane Supplier Partners With Restaurant Association

    TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2020 — Restaurants Canada (founded as the Canadian Restaurant Association in 1944) announced it has formed a new membership savings program partnership with Superior Propane , Canada’s largest propane supplier. Restaurants Canada members will immediately receive exclusive credits with a new Business Bundle package when they switch to Superior Propane. “Whether it’s staffing or food matters, we know operators have more important tasks to juggle than monitoring and ordering propane,” said Director of Membership at Restaurants Canada, Christopher Barry. “They need the convenience and reliability that comes with Superior Propane’s SMART* Tank™ monitoring technology and industry-first mobile app, which make it easy for our members to manage their propane needs and stay focused on their business of creating great customer experiences." With…
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