(September 5, 2019) — China has imposed additional 5% tariffs on imports of U.S. propane and butane, the State Council’s Tariff Commission said in a statement Aug. 23 on the Ministry of Finance website, S&P Global Platts reports. The tariff on butane took effect Sept. 1, while the tariff on U.S. propane will take effect from Dec. 15, 2019. This takes the tariff on each fuel to 31%, as China has already imposed 26% tariffs on them. They are part of a new set of levies on $75 billion worth of U.S. import goods that will be implemented in two batches from Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods announced Aug. 15. Beijing has also added…

(September 5, 2019) — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is welcoming the release of proposed changes to the nation’s hours-of-service rules by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, noting the changes are intended to improve safety on the country’s highways while providing additional flexibility for professional drivers. “Secretary Chao and administrator Martinez are to be commended for their commitment to an open and data-driven process to update the hours-of-service rules,” said ATA president and CEO Chris Spear. “We look forward to studying and understanding how these pro- posed changes will impact our industry so we can provide relevant data and information to strengthen and support a good final rule that bolsters safety and provides drivers needed flexibility.” ATA remarked the proposed rule maintains the regulation’s…

(September 4, 2019) — Dallas-based diversified energy company, Energy Transfer LP , co-founded by Chairman and CEO Kelcy L. Warren, is expanding internationally, according to a recent report in Chief Executive magazine. The company will open its first international office in in Beijing, China, to support the sale of energy products, including propane, liquefied natural gas, ethane, butane, natural gas and crude oil. The effort is made possible in part by a joint partnership between Energy Transfer and China-based Satellite Petrochemical to facilitate the export of ethane to China, announced last year. Orbit Gulf Coast NGL Exports LLC is constructing a pipeline in the U.S. to transport ethane from Energy Transfer’s Mont Belvieu, Texas fractionation and storage facilities to a new ethane terminal next to…

TORONTO (Sept. 3, 2019) — TerraVest Industries Inc. announced today that it has acquired the assets of Iowa Steel Fabrication LLC, doing business as Countryside Tank Company and Majona Steel Corporation (collectively, "Countryside Tank"). Countryside Tank is a privately-owned Iowa based company primarily focused on manufacturing transportation equipment for the propane and anhydrous ammonia markets as well as structural steel projects. Dustin Haw, Chief Executive Officer of TerraVest, welcomes the employees of Countryside Tank and looks forward to their continuing commitment to the business and its customers. "Countryside Tank is a leading manufacturer of propane and anhydrous ammonia trailers for the U.S. market, the addition of the company enhances TerraVest's propane and NH3 trailer offering in the U.S. as well as the scope of services…

BROOKNEAL, Va. (September 3, 2019) – As Hurricane Dorian approaches the East Coast, residents are bracing themselves to endure the effects of the storm. Government agencies including FEMA have been taking actions to support residents and infrastructure. Foster Fuels received an activation order from FEMA to provide emergency fuel and fuel support services to those affected. The Brookneal Virginia-based, family owned company dispatched more than 100 vehicles including trucks carrying diesel fuel, gasoline and propane southward to prepare for the support of critical infrastructure. Foster Fuels has been working with FEMA for close to 15 years providing emergency fuel services to government agencies, hospitals, communications sites and private industry during the aftermath of storms like Hurricane Maria and Superstorm Sandy. Vice President of Mission Critical…

KANSAS CITY, MO (August 30, 2019) — The Kansas City Royals , in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced that Chairman David Glass and his family have reached an agreement under which John Sherman, a Kansas City, Missouri- based entrepreneur, and a group of local investors will acquire the Kansas City Royals franchise. Sherman and the co-investors will mark the third owner of the Royals since their inception in 1969 when Ewing Kauffman brought Major League Baseball back to Kansas City after a one-year absence. Closing of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including MLB approval. “The decision to sell the Royals was difficult for our family. Our goal, which I firmly believe we’ve achieved, was to have someone local,…

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New research reveals that a growing number of residential customers are prioritizing zero net energy (ZNE) homes and are willing to pay more to achieve ZNE status. The findings are part of a study commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and conducted by the research firm Harris Insights & Analytics LLC. For the purpose of the survey, a ZNE home was defined as one that produces as much energy as it uses to those polled. “The study revealed some really interesting data and we were excited to see that the majority of respondents expressed an interest in energy-efficient and ZNE home products,” said Bryan Cordill, director of residential and commercial business development at PERC. “These insights can help guide construction professionals looking…