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Feature Articles

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

  • High-Efficiency Appliances Earn Propane Place In Emerging Zero-Net Energy Housing Market

    As a growing number of new homes are built with energy efficiency in mind, the propane industry is working to earn a place for propane appliances in those homes. They are doing so by showing architects, builders, and others how these appliances can save energy while also adding comfort. At the cutting edge of the move to greater energy efficiency are homes built to be zero-net energy (ZNE) or zero-energy ready (ZER). A ZNE home produces as much energy as it consumes. It is built with a high degree of energy efficiency and is equipped with a renewable energy source, such a photovoltaic array. A ZER home can supply 90% or more of the annual energy demand, or could if it were equipped with a…
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  • California Propane Retailer Sells To Energy Distribution Partners Marking EDP’s 21st Acquisition

    (December 14, 2018) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, has acquired Ebbetts Pass Gas Service with operations in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. This is EDP’s 21st transaction. Ebbetts Pass Gas Service was started in 1942 by Harold and Yolanda Mosbaugh to provide propane to local mills for kiln-drying lumber. The Mosbaughs significantly expanded the business into residential and commercial propane and eventually expanded further into gasoline, diesel and sand/gravel sales. Today, the operation serves more than 8,000 customers in Calaveras and Alpine counties, about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento. Dean and Rodney Korbelik, grandsons of the Mosbaughs, have managed the business in recent years and Yolanda Mosbaugh has remained active in running the company. Ebbetts Pass Gas Service is…
    Read More →: California Propane Retailer Sells To Energy Distribution Partners Marking EDP’s 21st Acquisition

  • Ferrellgas Announces Acquisition of Co-op Butane Inc. In Louisiana

    LIBERTY, Mo. (Dec. 14, 2018) — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas”) has announced the acquisition of Co-Op Butane, Inc., an independent propane retailer based in Bush, Louisiana. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive and is further evidence of the partnership’s long-standing commitment to growing its core propane business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
 Founded in 1987 by Keith Fitzmorris and Reubin Miley, Co-Op Butane has grown over the past 30 years to become one of the leading small businesses in St. Tammany and Washington parishes in eastern Louisiana. “Co-Op Butane has long been a company known for its commitment to providing exceptional propane service,” said James E. Ferrell, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President. “We look forward to welcoming their employees and…
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  • URGENT: Problems Receiving Transport Loads of Propane In Colorado, New Mexico

    ARVADA, COLORADO (December 14, 2018) — The Colorado Propane Gas Association (CPGA) and the New Mexico Propane Gas Association (NMPGA) have been notified that many propane marketers in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico are experiencing problems with receiving transport loads of propane. If this is the case with your company, please email the executive director of the Colorado and New Mexico propane gas associations, Dan Binning, today at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; . Please include a brief message about the issues you are experiencing and also your inventory level. Mr. Binning needs this information to obtain an Hours of Service (HOS) waiver from the two states. Please Respond Today!
    Read More →: URGENT: Problems Receiving Transport Loads of Propane In Colorado, New Mexico

  • Autogas: Removing Propane’s Great Hypocrisy

    By Randy Doyle… Most propane marketers believe autogas has significant growth potential. To date, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has spent more than $30 million since 2004 on new autogas technology and currently spends about $2 million annually to develop this market. Yet the propane industry’s adoption of autogas as a fuel for company vehicles remains low. Herein is the hypocrisy. We want fleet owners to use propane instead of gasoline and diesel, but the propane industry’s rate of autogas use is extremely low. Why don’t propane marketers use propane in their fleets? What are the barriers? What’s being done to overcome these barriers? What’s the plan for reaching critical mass adoption of by the propane industry? We must answer these questions because…
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  • Distributors’ Show Customer Appreciation In Diverse Celebratory Traditions

    INDUSTRIAL PROPANE SERVICEIndustrial Propane Service Inc. (IPS; Byron, Mich.) celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house at its facility in August. Attendees were treated to a grilled lunch, training sessions, and a mini trade show with vendor display tables. A cash cube full of cash and coupons, an ice cream cart, and a popcorn machine added to the excitement of the open house, which gave industry members a chance to see the company’s latest offerings while celebrating 50 successful years in business. The company was founded in 1968 by Charles and Helen Vandemark along with their son, Robert Vandemark. The initial focus was on bulk storage plants for retail companies and standby systems for factories. With the gas shortages of the 1970s, the business…
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  • RECALL NOTICE: A.O. Smith Water Heaters Recalled Citing Potential Fire Hazard

    December 5, 2018 — A.O. Smith Corporation (Milwaukee, Wisc.) recently announced a recall of more than 616,000 water heaters noting that the products are fire hazards. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recalled model’s gas burner screen rips easily, which can create excess radiant heat posing a fire hazard if it is installed directly on a wood or other combustible floor. Issued on November 8, 2018, the recall includes propane and natural gas-fired residential Ultra-Low NOx emission gas water heaters in the 30-, 40- and 50-gallon sizes. The affected models were manufactured between April 2011 and August 2016, with the first four digits of the serial numbers between 1115 and 1631. These digits represent the year and week that the…
    Read More →: RECALL NOTICE: A.O. Smith Water Heaters Recalled Citing Potential Fire Hazard

  • Sunrise Cooperative Marks 20th Acquisition For Energy Distribution Partners (EDP)

    https://www.bpnews.com/index.php/publications/magazine/feature-articles/1793-sunrise-cooperative-marks-20th-acquisition-for-energy-distribution-partners-edp (December 5, 2018) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, marked a milestone on November 29 when it announced its acquisition of the propane operation owned by Sunrise Cooperative in Lancaster, Ohio. The transaction marked the 20th successful acquisition for EDP since the Company’s inception, and sixth acquisition in 2018. EDP, launched by propane industry veterans Tom Knauff and Marlo Young, made its first acquisition in 2012 when it acquired Linden’s Propane in LaGrange, Ohio. The company now has 20 operations in nine states from South Carolina in the Southeast to Washington in the Pacific Northwest, and now serves more than 83,000 customers. Sellers have been especially complimentary of their experiences working with EDP, calling their transactions “respectful and professional,” “first class,”…
    Read More →: Sunrise Cooperative Marks 20th Acquisition For Energy Distribution Partners (EDP)

  • Propane Council Approves 2019 Budget, Workforce Recruitment Pilot Among Funding Requests Approved

    WASHINGTON (December 4, 2018) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), at its November meeting in Savannah, Ga., approved a $41.7 million budget for 2019 that will include safety and training programs, ongoing development of propane-fueled products, and a consumer education program that will be regionally focused, digitally dominant, and integrated across all market sectors, including residential and commercial. The assessment rate of $0.005 per gallon of odorized propane is expected to generate $41 million in revenue in 2019. The budget includes $30.8 million for program activities. In a move designed to help propane companies recruit drivers, technicians, and other sought-after employees, the Council approved a pilot program that will award grant funding for grassroots recruitment initiatives. Members of the PERC Advisory Committee’s Market…
    Read More →: Propane Council Approves 2019 Budget, Workforce Recruitment Pilot Among Funding Requests Approved

  • Energy Industry Faces Fork In The Road Say BP CEO

    BP CEO Bob Dudley has outlined why continued investment in the oil and gas industry is essential to meeting the dual challenge of providing billions of people with more energy while drastically lowering carbon emissions. Arguing against divestment in his keynote speech at the recent Oil & Money Conference, Dudley said the energy industry is facing a fork in the road. “We could go the way of people who want to drive a wedge between the energy industry and investors. They push for potentially confusing disclosures, raise the specter of a systemic risk to the financial system from stranded assets, and campaign for divestment—all in an effort to squeeze oil and gas out of the fuel mix. They are driven by good intentions, but my…
    Read More →: Energy Industry Faces Fork In The Road Say BP CEO

  • Multiple Strategies Underway To Recruit Propane Industry Workforce

    Trade organizations and individual propane marketers need to spread the word that there are jobs available in the propane industry—good jobs and lots of them. So said several attendees at a meeting of NPGA’s workforce development task force held Sept. 30 during the association’s 2018 Fall board of directors meeting and related committee meetings. NPGA, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), state associations, and individual marketers are pursuing several strategies that were mentioned at the meeting. “In a tight labor market, we have to work to make this industry be seen as an employment destination,” said Alex Gresham, director of human development at Blossman Gas (Ocean Springs, Miss.). “We have plenty of jobs that won’t be outsourced overseas and whether someone is just starting…
    Read More →: Multiple Strategies Underway To Recruit Propane Industry Workforce

  • Concerns About Natural Gas Expansion Ease As OSHA Crane Concerns Persist

    The Petrash File… Jeff Petrash, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) vice president and general counsel, handles multiple issues affecting the propane gas industry at any given time. Recently, BPN spoke with him about priorities he is working on as the end of 2018 approaches. OSHA Crane Rule “It’s all hands on deck regarding the OSHA Crane Rule. We’re pressuring the agency [OSHA], Congress, and the White House,” he explained. “This has the potential to really affect marketers financially. If we can’t get propane exempted by Congress or the agency, this will go to court and that’s one way I could get more involved as general counsel.” NPGA has been fighting the obstacle of the added OSHA certification for nearly 10 years, Petrash noted. “This type…
    Read More →: Concerns About Natural Gas Expansion Ease As OSHA Crane Concerns Persist

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