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Feature Articles

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

  • Workplace Violence: How to Respond If a Worker Is Served With a Restraining Order

    By Howard A. Mavity and Travis W. Vance . . . After yet another incident of workplace violence in the news, we have to consider that any employee served with a restraining order should be treated as a reason to take workplace security precautions. The shooter in a recent workplace mass shooting, which took place in Kansas in late February 2016, started his shooting spree immediately after he was served with a restraining order while at the workplace. It is unknown whether the shooter had issues at work or if the restraining order triggered his rampage and the workers were merely convenient targets. While you cannot accurately predict everyone who may present a risk of workplace violence, perhaps you can anticipate and head off some…
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  • NPGA Work Continues Against Burdensome NFPA Regulations

    Bruce Swiecicki was ready for a busy schedule at the March meeting of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Technology, Standards, and Safety (TS&S) Committee meeting in Louisville. Swiecicki, senior technical advisor for NPGA, told BPN that committee members were set to consider several proposals at the TS&S meeting March 13-15, 2017. One proposal on the agenda involves clarifying the scope of Chapter 15 of NFPA 58, which deals with maintenance and operations provisions of propane facilities. When it was written more than 15 years ago, the intent of Chapter 14 (it was 14 until it was changed to 15 in the most recent edition) was to address maintenance and operations provisions of bulk plants. But over time, the chapter has evolved to now also…
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  • Today’s Autogas Stations Growing In A Big Way

    Autogas is growing, and in a big way. It no longer is the niche segment of the industry that it was in the past several decades, but is now recognized as one of the best growth opportunities in the market. With this change comes growth in the scale and design of fueling stations. While the traditional 1000-gal. to 2000-gal. skid-mounted systems are still in demand and will continue to be, as the sizes of the fleets grow, so does the size of the station. With the prolific demand for school buses in particular, the scope and size of refueling stations has grown exponentially, and nowhere more so than in Texas, of course, where bigger is always better! School districts like Leander ISD, Houston ISD, Clear…
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  • Propane As a Refrigerant: What’s Not to Love?

    There’s a little-understood use of propane that is picking up interest in the U.S. It’s environmentally friendly, it’s efficient, and customers love it. Propane as a refrigerant, or R-290, was approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency in late 2011 for new, standalone retail refrigerators and freezers, according to an EPA spokeswoman. The rule went into effect in February 2012. But it’s only been in the last two years that this use has captured the full attention of the sector. “More retailers are interested because not only is it eco-friendly, there is less maintenance, there’s a very small leak rate, and the refrigerant charge is over 60% less,” says Howell Feig, manager of national sales at South Carolina-based AHT Cooling Systems USA Inc., a…
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  • Honest Dealings and Strong Work Ethic: A Family Company’s 113 Years in Business

    John Ray was 16, and his father had died. It was 1904, he had his mother to support, and a new town, Troy, N.Y., to get to know. There was one business John knew — ice. His father had been the foreman of a major ice company. John paid $60 for a horse and wagon and launched his own business, harvesting ice off of the Hudson River. So begins the Ray & Sons and Ray Energy story, with four generations of work ethic, honest dealings, and loyal employees. “There’s no brag in them,” says employee and business development executive Glenn Young. Referring to Ken Jr., the grandson of John and today’s president of Ray Energy, Young says, “Ken never gets up and says, ‘Look at me.’” But…
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  • NPGA 70th Southeastern Convention Most Successful Yet

    The National Propane Gas Association’s 70th Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo, April 21-23, 2017, at Music City Center, in Nashville, was another record-setting success. Thousands of attendees from around the globe chose from more than 40 educational sessions or workshops, networking opportunities, and the largest array of propane-related products and services in the world with more than 250 exhibitors. For your convenience, a handy pull-out guide with complete 2017 Southeastern Expo event schedule, session descriptions, exhibitor summaries, and more, is featured in BPN’s March 2017 issue. The BPN March 2017 Pre-Convention issue also includes an extensive “New Product Showcase” featuring the full selection of new products on exhibit in Nashville, in the Innovation Pavilion, on the exhibt floor, and products on exhibit in the…
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  • Autogas Sales Are Available to All Retail Propane Marketers

    Autogas is the term known around the world that denotes propane used to fuel motor vehicles. During the past five to 10 years, several innovative retail propane marketers have found a successful new profit center in selling propane for use by over-the-road fleets. There have been hurdles and challenges with propane-powered vehicles during the past 40 years, but those who faced challenges in the 1980s with propane-fueled vehicles owe new developments in propane autogas technology a fresh look. Today’s liquid injection systems and vastly improved vapor systems offer major improvements over earlier vapor systems. The new models allow better drivability in all temperatures, improved start up and emissions, and equal horsepower and torque to gasoline engines. Despite early challenges, propane has become the third most…
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  • Neosho, Mo. School District Purchases 18 propane-fueled school buses

    NEOSHO, Mo. (April 12, 2017) – In an effort to save funds for transportation, the Neosho school district recently announced it has turned to an alternative form of fuel with the purchase of 18 propane-fueled school buses. Citing government budget cuts and cheaper means of fuel, Neosho has taken inspiration from numerous school districts across the country. Propane acts as an efficient alternative fuel for public transportation as it is known abroad for being readily available and cheaper than traditional fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline. Propane is known as “liquefied petroleum gas” (LPG) and typically labeled as “autogas” when referring to its use in vehicles. The transition from diesel to propane buses offer a streamlined and cost-effective method of travel for students as…
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  • North Carolina Propane Gas Association Celebrates 60 Years

    In 1948, following World War II, a small group of industry pioneers planted the seeds of the North Carolina Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association. As the nation’s population and prosperity grew, the housing boom, stimulated in part by easily affordable mortgages for returning servicemen, spurred the need for fuel in areas off the gas mains. This was a vital opportunity for the burgeoning propane gas industry. Annual sales of propane increased to more than 15 billion gallons following the war, and it is now an $8 billion industry in the United States alone. That first handful of Tar Heel State trailblazers included early presidents W.S. Lander (1948-1954), M.L. Baily (1951-1952), Ralph T. Morris (1952-1953), S.L. Fagan (1953-1954), and R.S. Steele (1954-1955). As these individuals and other…
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  • Exports Shift Propane Landscape; Global Buyers Eye U.S. Barrels

    (April 12, 2017) By J.D. Buss . . . It’s not your parents’ — or grandparents’ —propane market.” We’ve heard and used that phrase many times in the past few years. Days of buying in the summer, seeing prices rise in winter, and the whole continental U. S. propane market hoping for a cold winter appear to be things of the past. What was the catalyst for shifting from these historical norms? One could say massive propane supply growth that was spurred by strong natural gas production was the beginning. That, however, only created the foundation for a massive market shift. The true item that has changed the landscape of the U.S. propane market is exports. Step back to any prior decade when domestic U.S. residential/commercial propane demand…
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  • E&P Gifts Abundant Energy, But Some Americans Spurn It

    Groundbreaking private initiatives by energy exploration and production innovators have returned to America the gift of energy abundance and security — virtually overnight and in robust measure. Nevertheless, a focused and vocal cadre of environmental activists, climate disciples, elected officials, and political operatives reject the contribution, demonize it, and seek to nullify its rewards. That’s not only lamentable, observes A.J. (Jim) Teague, CEO of Enterprise Products Partners LP’s general partner, it’s “naïve and hypocritical” in light of the lifestyle benefits enjoyed as a result of oil and gas production, benefits most Americans would not willingly give up. Speaking at January’s Argus Americas LPG Summit in Houston, Teague said such anti-energy attitudes must be confronted. “Otherwise activists will press on. They will prevent pipelines from being built and…
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  • Experts Note Confidentiality, Trust, Honesty Drive Acquisition Process

    Dozens of retail propane companies are bought and sold every year, among them many small, independently owned Mom and Pops, but others are larger enterprises with wholesale operations, a truck fleet, and amply sized storages. The sales pace suggests the transactions are fairly quick and routine, but that is illusory. While some acquisitions take only a few months, many acquisitions are only finalized after a year or more of negotiations. Some companies start the planning process years in advance involving longtime top-to-bottom prepping by a company with the aim of elevating its value prior to offering itself for sale. There are, however, long-established practices that are important for both the buyer and seller to consider in an acquisition. One company, Propane Resources of Mission, Kan.,…
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