(December 6, 2017) — The resurgence in oil and gas production in the U.S., deep declines in the cost of renewables, and growing electrification are changing the face of the global energy system and upending traditional ways of meeting energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2017. A cleaner, more diversified energy mix in China is another major driver of this transformation. IEA forecasts that, over the next 25 years, the world’s energy needs are met first by renewables and natural gas, as fast-declining costs turn solar power into the cheapest source of new electricity generation. Global energy demand is 30% higher by 2040, but still half as much as it would have been without efficiency improvements. The boom years…

Baton Rouge, LA (November 29, 2017) — Louisiana is one of 35 states where it will be easier for people driving an alternative fuel vehicle to know how far they will need to travel to get to the next available alternative fuel station. The state will be installing signs along Interstate corridors so drivers of alternative-fuel vehicles will soon have clearly marked signs along roadways to keep them informed. According to a recent report on WRKF 89.3 in Louisiana, Vivian Aucoin, with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) who is coordinating the project with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) stated, “We have Interstate 10, Interstate 12, interstate 49, 55, 59, and Interstate 20 across north Louisiana. This is a program that FHWA started two…

Do you wonder why some businesses succeed while others fail? The answer is leadership: doing the right things, at the right time, through people. If you are seeking proven ways to improve your leadership skills, and your chances for success, then the LEAPP Ahead System: Leadership, Empathy, and the Power of Persuasion, developed by retired business executive Jim McGraw, is worthy of examination. McGraw’s leadership philosophies come from his years serving as COO, corporate officer, and board member at Marion Laboratories (Kansas City), a multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical company founded by the late Ewing Kauffman. McGraw was also a charter board member, and ultimately chairman, of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. McGraw has gathered what he’s learned throughout his career and today shares his wisdom free of…

With Big Box stores, online shopping, and a changing demographic, the race is on for local businesses to ensure relevance in their communities. But how do you get your company name out there and to the potential customer? One thing is certain – putting thousands into traditional marketing can feel exactly like throwing cash into a dumpster fire. Enter guerrilla marketing, or marketing in unusual, and often, cheap ways. It can be anything from putting yourself out there as a media expert on disaster relief to painting your delivery trucks in ways that will start a conversation in the community (we’ll get to that). We asked business owners and marketing experts about different ways to market, often on a dime. Whether it’s sending dog owners…

(November 21, 2017) — Blackline Partners LLC (Montecito, Calif.), a mid- stream logistics and infrastructure provider for the North American energy markets, and TPG Sixth Street Partners (TSSP; San Francisco), a global credit and credit-related investment firm, have formed Blackline Midstream, a growth-oriented joint venture that will acquire and develop oil and gas midstream infrastructure assets. The joint venture has acquired Sea-3 Inc., owner of a New England propane storage and distribution terminal in Newington, N.H., from Trammo Inc. (Houston). Trammo’s team, previously dedicated to Sea-3 operations, has joined Blackline Midstream and will operate from the joint venture’s Houston office. Noted is that Sea-3 has an approved upgrade project for Newington that will significantly increase rail unloading capacity at the terminal, providing it access to…

(November 20, 2017) — The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) reports that DART’s 20th annual “Stuff the Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 17.9 tons (35,832 pounds) of food. The week-long food drive took place from November 6 to November 11 at Walmart in Milford, Acme in Dover, Acme in Fairfax Shopping Center, Rodney Square in Wilmington and Acme in Newark; and new this year was the Acme in Rehoboth and the Middletown Acme. The Food Bank of Delaware will distribute the donated food through its Hunger Relief Partners to Delaware residents in need of food assistance. John Sisson, DTC’s Chief Executive Officer, stated “This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Stuff the Bus” and it was our goal to make this the biggest event to…

(November 13, 2017) — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated the Hours Of Service (HOS) section of their website to include a pre-recorded webinar titled “Hours of Service: How Familiar Are You?” The HOS regulations address the number of hours that a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver may be on the road and the number of hours a CMV driver may be on duty before a required period of rest, along with the minimum amount of time that must be reserved for rest and the total number of hours a driver may be on duty in a "work-week." In this pre-recorded webinar, FMCSA's subject matter expert Tom Yager, Chief of the Driver and Carrier Operations Division and Peter Chandler, Lead Transportation Specialist…

In preparation for the holiday shopping season, the National Propane Gas Foundation (NPGF) will give away $100 to one lucky industry employee who signs up for the AmazonSmile program, benefiting the NPGF Scholarship Fund. That lucky winner could be you! To enter, here is all you have to do: Go to smile.amazon.com. Sign-in using your existing Amazon account / Create an Amazon account. Select ‘NPGF Scholarship’ as your charity of choice. Forward your confirmation email from Amazon (Subject: “Welcome to AmazonSmile!) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Every confirmation email that is received will be entered into a drawing for a free $100 Amazon gift e-card. A winner will be selected at random on Tuesday,…

Washington, DC (November 8, 2017) — Today, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) received notification that the compliance deadline for crane operator certification in OSHA’s Crane & Derricks Rule will be delayed until November 10, 2018. OSHA will be posting it to the Construction Standards webpage. NPGA continues to pursue regulatory and legislative avenues for a propane industry exemption. NPGA members can continue to utilize PERC’s mobile crane training module to satisfy the General Industry Standards requirements for crane operators. Click here to download a copy of the final rule announcing the delay. It is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2017. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with…