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Feature Articles

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

  • Propane School Bus Rebates Up To $20,000 Available

    (October 22, 2019) — School buses travel over four billion miles each year, providing the safest transportation to and from school for more than 25 million American children every day. However, diesel exhaust from these buses has a negative impact on human health, especially for children, who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed. Diesel buses not only emit harmful particulates, they are also noisy, don't easily start in cold weather, require more maintenance, and have a much higher cost of ownership. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2010 allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to offer rebates, in addition to grants, to reduce harmful emissions from older, dirtier, harmful diesel vehicles. The rebate program has…
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  • Propane Market Flips From Backwardation To CONTANGO

    (October 21, 2019) — By J.D. Buss… In October 2018 we wrote about a “tectonic shift” that had taken place in the propane markets during the last two years. What was that shift? The forward propane price curve changed from a traditional contango market—meaning future prices are higher than current prices—to a backwardated market, where current prices are higher than future prices. Fast-forward to the current situation and we view another shift in the propane forward-price market, where a traditional asset has come back into prominence and a slew of infrastructure plays are helping to give a future view on the propane marketplace. “Follow the Money!” The oft-used expression, “follow the money,” can help explain where domestic propane product is moving and the economic value…
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  • Spending Decline For Winter Heating Fuels Reported; 15% Decline For Propane

    (October 18, 2019) — The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects that average expenditures for the major home heating fuels will decline for most households this winter compared to last year, owing to warmer forecast temperatures across much of the country. The agency’s Winter Fuels Outlook notes, however, that changes in household heating expenditures vary significantly by both fuel choice and region. For the average household, EIA expects that both natural gas and electricity bills will decline by 1%, fueloil by 4%, and propane by a marked 15%. But in contrast to the national average, EIA forecasts that expenditures will increase for homes that heat with natural gas in the Midwest and South as a result of higher retail natural gas prices. And although the lower…
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  • Propane Council Donates $5000 To GreenCare for Troops From Trailer Sweepstakes Raffle At GIE+EXPO

    WASHINGTON (October 18, 2019) – The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has donated $5,000 to Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program as part of an in-booth promotion conducted during the 2019 GIE+EXPO week for contractors. PERC announced the amount after tallying the total number of entries to its in-booth trailer giveaway sweepstakes. On behalf of each contractor who entered the in-booth trailer giveaway sweepstakes, PERC donated $5 to the GreenCare for Troops program. “PERC is proud to support GreenCare for Troops, an organization that assists American service members and their families during deployment. Propane is an all-American fuel, and for many of the family-run, small businesses who make up much of the propane industry, supporting those who protect our nation is very important,” said…
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  • Economic Study Demonstrates Gas, Oil Benefits to California

    (October 16, 2019) — A new economic impact study released by the Institute for Applied Economics for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp . (LAEDC) demonstrates the tremendous economic and fiscal impact California’s oil and gas industry has on the state’s economy. For the study, 2019 Report Oil and Gas in California: The Industry, Its Economic Contribution and User Industries at Risk , LAEDC analyzed extraction, production, refining, and petroleum products manufacturing, finding that industry activity generated $152.3 billion in total economic output, making up 2.1% of California’s overall gross state product in 2017. The oil and gas industry also made significant fiscal contributions to California’s state and local governments, including $21.6 billion in state and local tax revenues and $11 billion in sales…
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  • Critical Operating Decisions Require Focus On Key Metrics, Cutting Unnecessary Paperwork

    (October 15, 2019) — Look at the numbers that matter and only the numbers that matter. This is an excellent practice that will help managers make critical operating decisions. Mike Shilts says that with the right tools and habits, managers can have the numbers they need and not be distracted by those they don’t. Shilts is vice president of marketing and business development at K & K Management Solutions (Indianapolis), a company that provides software to manage propane and refined fuel delivery. He has degrees in psychology and finance/accounting (CPA) and a background that includes 15 years as director of retail operations at a family-owned propane business that had seven branches. In his seminar at the NPGA Southeastern Convention, “Drowning in Data? How to Make…
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  • In Memorium: Charles Ory Mourned By Propane Industry

    (October 14, 2019) — Charles (Charlie) Louis Ory passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona, on October 3, 2019, with family by his side. He fought his cancer valiantly throughout the last year of his life and kept his sense of humor till the very end. His family is heartbroken at his loss but know that he is no longer in pain nor confined to watching endless westerns and political shows from his bed. Charles was born on February 18, 1948, to Sterling and Lona Ory in Greenville, Mississippi. His family moved to New Orleans during his junior high years. Charlie met the love of his life, Teri, during his junior year at John McDonogh High School. After five years of being an…
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  • Paraco Gas Invests In Recruitment For Service Techs and Drivers

    (October 14, 2019) — Paraco Gas of Rye Brook, N.Y. is investing in new ways to recruit drivers and technicians as the industry faces challenges in attracting employees. Family-owned Paraco has introduced a new benefits package with some untraditional perks for those in the driving and service fields. The company offers parental leave for employees who have completed one year of service, tuition reimbursement, and a revised paid time-off policy. The benefits are part of a comprehensive benefits package that Paraco Gas offers full-time, regular employees and dependents, including, but not limited to, the traditional medical, dental, vision, 401K, flexible spending, life insurance, disability income, sick leave, and paid holidays. “Our ultimate goal is to get customers their propane safely, but also focus on a…
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  • Electrify Everything Movement Becoming Major Focus Of Industry

    (October 14, 2019) — Amid changes in leadership and issues of focus at the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), vice president and general counsel Jeff Petrash said that while some key issues are requiring less focus, a tsunami is brewing in the form of the “electrify everything” movement. “The Crane Rule hasn’t come up as a significant issue for almost a year,” Petrash said. “Natural gas expansion has also slowed, but we continue to monitor it and we can address concerns as they arise.” For Petrash and the staff at NPGA, weekly advocacy meetings of the staff help determine priorities and they, as well as the NPGA leadership, are concerned about a movement to cut carbon emissions that doesn’t consider the full fuel cycle of…
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  • NPGA Launches Propane Logistics Analysis Network

    (October 10, 2019) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has launched the Propane Logistics Analysis Network (PLAN) to help drivers maximize their hours of service. The association notes that, before now, there was no centralized tool available. NPGA developed PLAN with the support of its Propane Supply & Logistics Committee and with the assistance of state and regional association executives and propane businesses. At launch, there are more than 400 supply points listed on PLAN, an online, crowd-sourced tool that relies on active user input. Everyone is encouraged to enter wait times at supply points, including drivers, dispatchers, terminal managers, and wholesalers. NPGA comments that PLAN does not represent supply levels, pricing, or other market variables and may be subject to error. PLAN is…
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  • 11th Annual Cargas Energy Summit Draws More Than 350 Visitors to Lancaster

    The 11th annual Cargas Energy Summit brought more than 350 attendees to the Lancaster Convention Center in Pennsylvania in mid-September. The annual event gives Cargas Energy customers and partners the opportunity to participate in educational sessions, get a glimpse of upcoming features and enhancements, and connect with one another. This year’s event featured some new additions, including an in-depth training camp and on-site support consultations. Three Keys to Optimization Optimization was the central theme of this year’s Summit. In the opening presentation, VP Aaron Cargas shared the story of Ferdinand Eberstadt, whose Controlled Materials Plan helped optimize manufacturing production during World War II. Breaking down Eberstadt’s plan, Cargas explained, “To optimize your business, you must clarify strategic priorities, insist on clear information, and trust and…
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  • Sharp Energy Recognized For Its Promotion of Propane Autogas

    In 2013, Sharp Energy (Georgetown, Del.) entered the autogas market with one private fueling station serving 13 vehicles. Today, the propane subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corp. has 53 stations in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These include 37 private stations and 16 public stations that serve 1300 vehicles from multiple fleets that are Sharp customers. As a partner of Alliance AutoGas since 2012, Sharp Energy is part of a national network of companies that help fleets transition to propane autogas. These companies deliver vehicle conversions; onsite fueling infrastructure; fuel supply; safety and operational training; and ongoing technical support. “Since 2013 we have been building out the market for autogas,” Eric Mays, director of sales and marketing with Sharp Energy, tells BPN. “We are continuing…
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