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Feature Articles

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

  • NPGA Updates On Key Advocacy Issues

    The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has provided updates on its key advocacy issues. During the association’s Fall board of directors and related committee meetings, held Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 in Houston, NPGA president and CEO Richard Roldan and members of the association’s legislative and regulatory staff outlined the latest news on these “90-Day Criticals.” First was the Crane Rule. With the Nov. 10 compliance date nearing, NPGA was continuing its efforts to achieve an exemption for propane marketers. During the event, the association issued a call for members of the industry to email the White House and cc their Senators, asking them to intervene with OSHA on the industry’s behalf. In at least two of the meetings held during the event, speakers asked…
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  • Near-Zero Emissions Engine Fueled By Renewable Propane Available

    (November 19, 2018) — The alternative fuel technology company ROUSH CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) reports that its 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour engine can operate on renewable propane, making it the first available that produces near-zero emissions as defined by the California Air Resources Board. “When commercial vehicles are equipped with our ultralow-NOx engines and fueled by renewable propane they achieve near-zero emissions while still being financially viable for fleets,” said Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “These clean-operating, medium-duty trucks, vans, and buses enable fleets to take a giant step toward meeting state clean-air standards, especially in California.” Renewable propane is a non-fossil fuel that is produced from 100% renewable raw materials, including waste residue from sustainably produced vegetable oils. There is growing interest in…
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  • Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Hit Jackpot In A System With Few Winners

    The largest-ever lottery prize in U.S. history grabbed headlines recently as one lucky winner walked away with a cool $1.6 billion, wrote Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But there’s another billion-dollar figure making news—and in this case, it’s plaintiffs’ lawyers who are hitting the jackpot. According to a new study released by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), the U.S. tort system racked up $429 billion in total costs and compensation associated with lawsuits in 2016 alone. “Our nation has long had the most expensive civil justice system in the world, but this is a new record,” Donohue observes. He adds that the amount of money that went to lawsuit costs and compensation that year could…
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  • Cooler Winter, Low Days of Propane Supply Seen…

    Primary U.S. propane inventories are expected to shrink to low days of supply in February and March and exit winter at low volumes as calculated against daily demand. But stocks are forecast to reload thereafter, largely due to a lack of new needed export capacity in 2019 to accommodate rising domestic output. Noteworthy is that the risk of substantial critical days of supply this winter is primarily a Gulf Coast anomaly, with other regions standing within or above the average range as the peak heating season rolls up. Those conclusions, among others, were forwarded at the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Supply & Logistics Committee meeting Sept. 30 in Houston. Debnil Chowdhury, executive director of IHS Markit oil, midstream, downstream, and chemicals research, observed that…
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  • Second South Carolina Propane Marketer Joins Energy Distribution Partners (EDP)

    (November 9, 2018) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, has acquired Carmichael Propane of Walterboro, South Carolina from Randy and Ann Carmichael. Carmichael Propane is a well-established and respected propane service provider started in 1969 by Randy’s father, Ray Carmichael. The business services nearly 3,000 customers in Berkley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties which are adjacent to the service territory of EDP’s recently acquired Carolina Propane operation. According to Randy Carmichael, “I was ready to retire but wanted to ensure my employees would not only be able to keep their jobs but have the chance to work for a quality company that would provide both a generous benefits package and career opportunities. I also wanted to ensure that our customers would continue…
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  • Hexagon to Acquire Agility Fuel Solutions

    (November 8, 2018) — Hexagon Composites (OSE:HEX) (“Hexagon”) has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% of Agility Fuel Solutions (“Agility”). This investment strengthens Hexagon’s position as the globally leading gas fuel solutions provider. "We are really happy to have reached this milestone", says Jon Erik Engeset, CEO and President of Hexagon. "We believe the timing to be optimal. Fuel price spreads are back at attractive levels, payback times are favorable, and the global focus on the environment has never been stronger. Our combined solutions portfolio and expert teams represent a unique value proposition to the markets." The increasing alignment of economic and environmental benefits is driving market adoption of cleaner drivetrain alternatives. Heavy-duty truck, transit bus and refuse truck fleet owners are acting…
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  • OSHA Releases Final Crane Rule, NPGA Analyzing Impact On Industry

    WASHINGTON (November 6, 2018) – The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is reviewing a new final rule for the Cranes and Derricks in Construction regulation by the U.S.Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the final rule released Tuesday, OSHA states, “Propane field technician operators would fall under the crane rule in only one very specific and limited scenario: installation of new tanks (not replacement of existing tanks in kind) at a construction site.” OSHA also indicates that construction sites include those in residential areas. The compliance deadline for third-party crane operator certification is 30 days after the rule is officially published in the Federal Register. “OSHA acknowledged some of our industry’s concerns in this rule,” said NPGA Chairman Chris Earhart, president…
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  • Video Shows How Propane Autogas Benefits Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (DART)

    WASHINGTON (November 2, 2018) – The Propane Education & Research Council released the newest video to its popular Straight Talk video library, which tells the stories of fleets having success operating propane autogas vehicles in a variety of applications. The latest video features Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (DART) and pays special attention to its stress-free refueling strategy. “We know there are a lot of fleet managers who are dramatically reducing their operating costs and lowering emissions with their propane autogas vehicles, and sharing their experiences provides real world results for others that are contemplating a switch to propane autogas” said Mike Taylor, director of autogas business development at PERC. “The DART Straight Talk video highlights the simplicity and showcases their success implementing a custom-tailored…
    Read More →: Video Shows How Propane Autogas Benefits Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (DART)

  • Colorado Voters Defeated Proposition 112, Slam Gas Output 45%, Oil 54%

    UPDATE: November 7, 2018 — Colorado voters on Nov. 6 defeated Proposition 112, which would have increased oil and gas well setbacks from homes and businesses. The proposition would have required most new oil and gas wells be at least 2,500 ft from homes and other occupied buildings statewide except for federal land in Colorado (November 2, 2018) — If passed, Colorado’s Proposition 112 ballot initiative might not completely destroy the oil and gas industry in the state since producers could employ longer laterals to reach molecules while still complying with new setback rules, according to a new study by the Colorado School of Mines and as reported by S&P Global Platts. But approval could eliminate access to 58% of the state’s subsurface minerals, and…
    Read More →: Colorado Voters Defeated Proposition 112, Slam Gas Output 45%, Oil 54%

  • Rebates Available to Convert Wood Stoves, Fireplaces to Propane

    SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 1, 2018) — The Utah Clean Air Partnership and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality are launching a new wood stove conversion rebate program to help reduce emissions during the state’s dreaded winter inversions. Rebates are available to homeowners living in Davis, Weber, Salt Lake and Utah counties, as well as portions of Cache, Box Elder and Tooele counties. Low-income homeowners can receive up to a $3,800 rebate to convert a wood-burning appliance to propane or natural gas. Other homeowners can receive up to $2,800. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smoke from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces is a significant source of emissions during winter inversions — up to 150 tons of emissions over the life cycle of a stove….
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  • Higher Forecast Energy Prices Seen Boosting Heating Bills

    The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects average household bills for most major energy sources of home heating to rise this winter because of higher forecast energy prices. Temperatures are expected to be roughly the same as last winter in much of the country. Forecast winter home heating expenditure changes vary significantly by both fuel and region. On average, EIA expects natural gas bills to rise by 5%, fueloil by 20%, and electricity by 3%. However, expenditures for homes that use propane are expected to be about the same as last winter. Although increased expenditures for natural gas, fueloil, and electricity largely reflect higher energy prices rather than colder temperatures, a warmer-than-average winter would see smaller spending increases and a colder-than-average winter would see larger increases…
    Read More →: Higher Forecast Energy Prices Seen Boosting Heating Bills

  • ROUSH CleanTech Hosts California Road Show To Demonstrate Clean, Affordable Propane Autogas Fleets

    (October 25, 2018) — ROUSH CleanTech is taking propane autogas trucks and buses on a three-site California Road Show that runs Nov. 6-8, to demonstrate clean, affordable solutions for California fleets. Attendees can take a spin in a propane autogas truck or bus, enjoy a complimentary Continental breakfast and lunch, and learn more about the state of the propane autogas industry including an overview of the funding opportunities available to help offset purchase costs for ultra low-emissions propane autogas vehicles and the importance and availability of ROUSH CleanTech’s 0.02g ultra-low-NOx propane engine. An overview of how propane fleet vehicles lower fuel costs up to 50%, reduce maintenance compared to diesel, and how low-cost propane autogas produced in the United States can also be made from…
    Read More →: ROUSH CleanTech Hosts California Road Show To Demonstrate Clean, Affordable Propane Autogas Fleets

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