GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (January 7, 2019) — Three Greeneville Police Department patrol cars are now fueled by propane. The police department has partnered with Alliance AutoGas for a program designed to save money, help the environment and improve emergency response by converting to propane fuel, according to a news release from the Town of Greeneville. The police department launched the initiative Jan. 1 and is now using propane fuel in three new patrol vehicles. The move is projected to save the Town of Greeneville an estimated $10,000 a year, according to Police Chief Tim Ward. “This opportunity will double the way we take care of our community,” Ward said. He listed several benefits from using propane fuel: No up-front cost and savings through a fuel price…

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) in December commended U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Elaine Chao for granting the federation’s petition to preempt confusing and duplicative state rest-break rules, and for asserting the federal government’s critical role in regulating interstate commerce. “This is a victory for highway safety, not trial lawyers,” said ATA president and CEO Chris Spear. “The trucking industry supports our nation’s economic growth by safely and efficiently moving goods across state lines, and this decision by the Department of Transportation will save jobs, unburden businesses throughout the supply chain, and keep the prices Americans pay for food, clothing, and countless other essential items affordable and accessible.” In late September, ATA petitioned DOT to preempt meal- and rest-break rules imposed by California—but primarily…

Energy Distribution Partners (EDP) announced in December 2018 that its chief financial officer, Mark Janek, was honored as Chicago CFO of the Year for private, mid-sized companies by the Chicago chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI). Mr. Janek was cited by the Chicago financial leaders’ group for his skills in effectively and efficiently growing EDP’s business; integrating acquisitions; raising capital; managing investor relationships and building a collaborative culture of high-performing people. Since joining EDP in 2014, Mr. Janek has guided the Chicago-based company through 16 of its 20-plus successful acquisitions, providing financial and organizational leadership for a rapid coast- to-coast expansion. EDP now serves more than 90,000 residential and commercial customers in nine states. LP Gas Magazine has ranked EDP as the nation’s 15th largest…

ThompsonGas LLC (Frederick, Md.) has acquired Sylacauga, Ala.-based Automatic Gas & Appliance Co. ThompsonGas reports the transaction was the company’s sixth acquisition in 2018. Details regarding the deal were not released. “Finalizing the acquisition of Automatic Gas completes a record year for us at ThompsonGas,” said company CEO Jeff Kerns. “We have added over 150 employees to our team and more than 50,000 customers in 2018. Automatic Gas is a well-established company within our Alabama footprint. Their experienced employees will continue with us to service the region. We will continue to grow our footprint in the South and are seeking quality propane companies to acquire.” Janet Vawter, Automatic Gas & Appliance president, commented, “It was once said that ‘the only place where success comes before…

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is calling attention to a fuel price forecast published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in November 2018 that expects gasoline prices to average more than $2.75 a gallon in 2019. PERC is reminding professional landscape contractors to prepare now for yet another season of work with high gasoline prices. “No contractor likes to think about all the money their business has to expend just to purchase fuel, and we certainly hear more complaints from contractors when gasoline prices start to approach that $3-per-gallon mark when it turns from a nuisance to a cost that sometimes they financially can’t bear,” said Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development at PERC. “But contractors don’t have to feel hopeless against…

Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (Dover, Del.) announced in Dec. 2018 that its propane subsidiary, Sharp Energy Inc. (Georgetown, Del.) has purchased the propane operating assets of R.F. Ohl Fuel Oil Inc., which is based in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. R.F. Ohl is a family-owned and -operated company founded in 1984. It has been providing propane service to more than 2500 residential and commercial customers in Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania since 2003. Sharp Energy starting providing propane service in Pennsylvania that same year and now serves more than 6000 customers throughout the state. “We are excited to further expand our propane footprint throughout the Pennsylvania region and to continue our longstanding track record in meeting the energy needs of our customers,” said Bob Zola,…

Electric power for U.S. customers was interrupted an average of 7.8 hours in 2017, nearly double the average duration of interruptions experienced in 2016, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports. More major events such as hurricanes and winter storms occurred in 2017, and the duration of power cuts caused by major events was longer. Excluding major events, the average duration of interruptions customers experienced was nearly identical in 2016 and 2017 at about two hours in both years. In 2017, the average customer experienced 1.4 interruptions counting major events and 1.0 interruptions excluding major events, EIA said. The District of Columbia, New Jersey, North Dakota, Arizona, and South Dakota had the shortest total time interrupted last year, with average interruptions ranging from 58 minutes for…

“The fireplace? The heart of the home itself.” — Frank Lloyd Wright As home improvements continue to outpace new home construction, home remodeling and addition projects were up nearly 10% in 2017, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s annual Home Design Trends Survey found that in 2017 the outdoor living room topped the list of most popular special-function rooms as reported by nearly 40% of respondents, outranking mud room (23%), home office (16%), in-law (7%), sun room/3-season porch (5%), roof deck (3%), and other (9%). The survey also reveals there is more interest in home energy efficiency, up to 52% in 2017 vs. 47% in 2016, with tankless water heating gaining support pulling a 49% favorability rating in 2017 vs. only 35%…

The Port of Corpus Christi and the Carlyle Group (Washington, D.C.) have agreed to develop a crude oil export terminal on Harbor Island. The project is aimed at creating the first onshore location on the U.S. Gulf Coast capable of serving fully laden very large crude carriers (VLCCs). The project seeks to connect growing crude oil production in the U.S. with global markets, while bolstering the port’s position as a crude oil export hub. VLCC access at the Port of Corpus Christi is seen opening the global markets for U.S. oil producers, pipelines, their supply chains, and customers. The project could produce up to a $50-billion annual reduction to the national trade deficit, the developers estimate. Importantly, the city of Corpus Christi would benefit from…

Quarles Petroleum (Fredericksburg, Va.), a regional provider of residential and commercial fuel, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Revere Gas, a third-generation, family-owned retail propane distribu- tor based in Hartfield, Va. Details of the transaction were not released. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year. “The Revere Gas delivery area complements our existing delivery territory in central Virginia and expands our presence in eastern Virginia,” said Paul Giambra, Quarles Petroleum CEO. “As family-owned businesses our companies share the same core values of providing superior service to our customers and giving back to the communities we serve. We look forward to welcoming Revere customers to Quarles and pledge to deliver the same high caliber of customer service they’ve come to…