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Feature Articles

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

  • Renovo Capital Acquires Rochester Gauges LLC

    (June 15, 2018) — Dallas, Texas-based Renovo Capital LLC recently announced it had acquired Rochester Gauges LLC from Gas Equipment Co. (Dallas). Details of the transaction were not released. Renovo notes the acquisition launches a new platform investment in the sensor and measurement space in partnership with industry executive and operating partner Frank Guidone, who previously led Measurement Specialties Inc., a business he sold to TE Connectivity in 2014. Founded in 1913, Rochester Gauges is a manufacturer of gauges and sensors that measure liquid levels. Renovo’s investment will allow Rochester to continue its long history of manufacturing, as well as provide the resources and expertise to accelerate development of leading-edge products. “We are excited to continue the legacy that the LaDue family has successfully built…
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  • Arkansas Marketers Fund, Lead Oversight And Compliance

    Under most state governments there is an agency that regulates the LP-gas industry. A few states, such as Arkansas, have an LP-gas board that is fully funded by propane industry members through fees, licenses, and fines. A couple of years ago, Kevin Pfalser became only the third director of the Arkansas LP-Gas Board since its founding in 1957. Prior to Pfalser’s hiring, Sharon Coates had led the board since 1980. Previously an inspector, she was the first woman director of an LP-gas board in the U.S. The first Arkansas director was Harry Burns, previously a leader of the Boiler Board, a panel that regulated propane along with butane until the state’s LP-gas board was formed specifically for propane by the Arkansas Legislature in 1957. According…
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  • $1000 Incentive Expanded To 69 New Propane Mower Models

    WASHINGTON – In recent years, p ropane-burining lawn mowers have surged in popularity, especially as gas prices soar. Some of the main benefits of using propane mowers is that this green fuel burns on average 35% cleaner than gas. Free of carbon build-up, propane engines also last about 25% longer than gas models. Many municipalities, government agencies, colleges, and even homeowners associations specify the use of propane lawn mowers on their contract bids as part of their sustainability efforts due to propane’s low environmental impact. A lower carbon footprint provides a competitive advantage to many companies that use propane mowers. Recently, 69 additional propane mower models were added to the list of OEM dealer-converted units eligible for the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) Propane…
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  • New Video Showcases Success of Boston Public Schools’ Propane School Bus Fleet Detailed

    WASHINGTON (June 7, 2018) – The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has added to its popular Straight Talk video series, an online collection of customer testimonials that lets viewers hear directly from fleets succeeding with propane autogas. The latest video provides an update from Boston Public Schools (BPS), two years after it first purchased propane autogas buses. “The acquisition of propane-powered buses is probably the most significant thing that has happened to any school bus operation,” said Peter Crossan, the fleet and compliance manager at BPS. “The buses have had a profound effect positively on our schoolyard, students, and faculty. And our drivers love them.” According to Crossan, the school district’s initial reason for considering propane-powered buses was to improve air quality around the…
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  • Propane Gas Recalled Due To Fire, Explosion Hazard

    (June 5, 2018) — T he United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports Keyera Energy Inc., of Houston, Texas, is recalling propane gas distributed in Texas and Louisiana by various companies and sold by retailers between February 2018 and April 2018 due to potential fire and explosion hazards. The company says the recalled gas does not contain sufficient levels of odorant to help alert consumers to a gas leak. Failure to detect a leak can of course result in fire, explosion, and thermal burn hazards. About 1.7 million gallons of propane gas were recalled This recall involves under-odorized propane gas (LPG) delivered to consumers for use in storage tanks or sold at retail locations in portable refillable cylinders (for use in recreational vehicles, barbeque…
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  • NPGA Benchmarking Shares Valuable Lessons and Best Practices

    Todd Holtzman was on a waiting list for several years before being placed in a group in the National Propane Gas Association’s Benchmarking Council. But when he talks about it, he jokingly says he shouldn’t mention it — because he’s giving away one of the biggest secrets to his success. “Benchmarking is the best-kept secret in the industry,” said Holtzman, one of three panelists at the seminar about the Benchmarking Council at the NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo in Atlanta. Holtzman’s family had been in the fuel business in Virginia for many years, but as a college senior, his father asked him to return to the business after graduating in 1997 to help start up a propane business. Holtzman said he believes benchmarking gives him…
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  • Propane’s Environmental, Economic Benefits Spotlighted at ACT Expo

    Buyers and sellers of technologies that make fleets run cleaner and more efficiently gathered in Long Beach, Calif., April 30 through May 4 at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. This annual event featured five days of workshops, forums, sessions, and networking. Two days also included a trade show in which exhibitors showcased the latest transportation technologies, powertrains, and clean fuels. There were more than 3500 registered participants and more than 950 registered fleets. Propane autogas had a visible presence at the show, both in the events and on the show floor. Among the news makers at the ACT Expo were Agility Fuel Solutions (Costa Mesa, Calif.), which has received 2018 EPA certification for its 488LPI 8.0-liter V-8 propane engine, and Roush CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.),…
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  • NGL To Sell Retail Propane Business To Superior Plus for $900M

    Reuters (May 30, 2018) — Canadian specialty chemicals firm Superior Plus Corp said on Wednesday it would buy NGL Energy Partners’ retail propane unit for $900 million in cash to boost its presence in the United States. NGL’s shares surged 14 percent to 12.20 in trading after the bell. NGL Propane sells propane and distillates to over 316,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the U.S. Northeast, Southeast and Upper Midwest under regional brands, including Osterman Propane, Downeast Energy and Eastern Propane. In the 12 months to March 31, NGL Propane sold about 182 million gallons of fuel, generating about $85 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Superior said the deal would help save about $20 million to $25 million within…
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  • Industry Groups Call for Relief From Steel Tariffs and Quotas

    The American Petroleum Institute (API) has joined other trade associations in comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on Section 232’s interim final rule to raise concerns over the ability of natural gas and oil companies to receive relief from steel tariffs and quotas. “U.S. natural gas and oil companies should be granted relief from the tariffs and quotas on imported steel that will harm U.S. businesses, our economy, and American consumers,” said Kyle Isakower, vice president of regulatory and economic policy at API. “Tariffs will raise the cost of imported steel by 25%, while quotas will stop U.S. businesses from receiving steel for U.S. energy projects around the country, harming the president’s agenda of continuing our energy renaissance, strengthening our infrastructure, and creating…
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  • Don’t Strike Out: Hit a Homer with Drivers

    By David Lowe… Is compensation a driver’s only consideration on the job hunt? “Absolutely not,” according to David W. Lowe, vice president of sales for Johnson City, N.Y.-based Pro Image Communications. Recruiting quality drivers who are willing to stay with a retail propane company has become more of a challenge for many marketers. “Most retail propane marketers don’t have a human resources department and they aren’t trying to maintain a large fleet of trucks. Most typical small retail propane marketers need [only] two or three good drivers and they want them to stay for a long time,” Lowe said. Building a company culture with clear expectations that appeals to quality drivers looking for a long-term, stable career opportunity is essential. Lowe is not a newcomer…
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  • China Tariffs—Belvieu Propane Prices May Face Pressure

    Analysis released in April of U.S.-China trade relations by IHS Markit — namely escalation of the two countries’ ongoing trade dispute — finds that both have responded with bids of punitive tariffs that could, if enacted, derail a global economic boom that has benefited the world petrochemical industry, a multinational enterprise that has enjoyed significant profitability across many sectors. Noted is that the U.S. petchem industry, in particular, has experienced a renaissance in productivity and profitability due to its abundant supply of advantaged, domestically produced shale gas feedstocks thanks to the shale boom, enabling it to invest significantly in capacity and new production, much of which is aimed at exports to feed hungry Asian and Chinese markets. “While the U.S. represents a country with many resources, including available investment…
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  • More than 13,000 Propane Autogas Vehicles Sold in 2017, Increase in 2018 Predicted

    More than 13,000 propane autogas fleet vehicles were sold in 2017, according to data compiled by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). The new vehicles will consume about 36.8 million gallons of fuel annually and many displaced fuels with higher emissions like gasoline and diesel. PERC comments that while the total 13,045 autogas vehicles sold in 2017 was lower than the 14,045 sold in 2016, the relatively flat sales are signaling to industry officials that more propane autogas growth is around the corner. “Propane autogas overcame significant challenges in 2017—from the absence of federal incentives for alternative fuels from the federal government, to incredibly low gasoline and diesel prices throughout much of the year—and we received an overwhelming endorsement for our fuel in all…
    Read More →: More than 13,000 Propane Autogas Vehicles Sold in 2017, Increase in 2018 Predicted

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