Paige O’Dell was recently named a vice president of operations for AmeriGas. O’Dell has been in the propane industry for more than 26 years, and notes that there were not very many women in high-level roles several decades ago. However, she has always felt that within AmeriGas, leadership focuses on being fair and bases job decisions on work experience, not gender. “Within the last 10 years, we have really seen a shift in the number of women in leadership positions. It’s rewarding to have more diversity, and differing viewpoints brought to the table. It only makes our industry stronger and more versatile,” notes O’Dell. She has experienced many areas of the industry over the last quarter century, which has prepared her well for the shoes…

The number on Sam Knowles’ engineering license is 8077, which his friend Steve Moore of Expo Propane (Bellflower, Calif.) believes is one of the oldest civil engineering licenses issued in California. Knowles, who will turn 96 in April, built tank structures for many propane companies in California throughout his career before retiring his license last year. “When I went to a city to get a permit, once in a while the permit person at the counter who reviews the plans would say, ‘Wow, this is one of the oldest numbers I’ve ever seen,’ which is a real tribute,” said Moore, whose company is part of Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago). Knowles performed engineering work for Expo Propane, and prior to that in the 1970s for…

The propane industry’s consumer education program for 2017 will again feature Blue the Dog when it returns to airwaves in March. Advertisements developed in 2016, including the television and radio commercials that aired last year, will run through the end of May. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is continuing work on the campaign, shooting videos and photos with Blue in Los Angeles Jan. 12 and 13. The bobtail driver’s faithful pup will once again communicate with consumers about the benefits and versatility of propane in a sequel to his successful 2016 debut. The video shoots took place at two Los Angeles homes and are highlighted by various and varied propane uses. Thirteen new videos will initially screen on PERC’s ProudlyPropane.com website and Facebook…

Mike Sloan of ICF (Fairfax, Va.) has noticed some positive developments in the residential market for propane after several years of struggle for that sector. Sloan and ICF have witnessed continued growth in the housing market, including propane housing starts in some regions. He expects to see further growth in propane’s market share of home heating as propane prices remain at low levels and competitive to other options. “The headline is, it’s a good time to be marketing propane in the residential and commercial markets,” Sloan said. He will expand on those comments in a presentation titled “2017 Propane Market Outlook” at the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention & International Expo in Nashville in April. During his session, he will discuss his belief…

WASHINGTON, DC (February 13, 2017) — Today, Phil Squair, NPGA’s Senior Vice President of Public and Governmental Affairs, addressed more than 100 attendees of the 2017 of the Energy Independence Summit. The annual event brings together alternative fuel industry leaders from across the country to advocate for policies that will increase the use of propane, and other alternative fuels, across the United States. During a panel discussion highlighting the clean transportation policy accomplishments in 2016 and the Congressional outlook for 2017 Squair said, "There are great opportunities for propane and other alternative fuels in the new Administration. Specifically, lessening the regulatory burden and decreasing corporate taxes will help us grow alternative fuel use during the next decade." Nationally, propane employs about 80,000 people in primarily…

Propane-powered vehicles are eligible for funding to offset the harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by the Volkswagen scandal. This is a unique position where states are being given money to replace older, dirtier diesel vehicles with much cleaner models. Propane has been successful in replacing diesel fleets. This settlement presents a great opportunity for propane marketers and other industry professionals to continue that success. For nearly six years, German automaker VW intentionally cheated the laboratory emissions testing, causing nearly 500,000 cars in the United States to emit 40 times the acceptable NOx standard. Last year, VW and the U.S. government reached an agreement where VW would establish a $2.7 billion environmental mitigation trust fund to offset the estimated 59,000 tons of excess NOx emissions….

(February 8, 2017) A major, winter storm warning has been issued for several Northeastern states, with eight to 10 hours of heavy snow predicted along the eastern seaboard and the I-95 corridor. The overall greatest impact period from southwest to northeast is predicted to hit during the 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. period, with occasional thunder snow possible. Travel will be greatly restricted at times during the maximum snowfall period, as near blizzard conditions develop. The storm begins with rain and sleet before turning into significant snowfall that is expected to disrupt morning rush hour in cities including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and other areas, with a full scale blizzard dropping up to one foot of snow in northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New…

PORTLAND, Ore. (February 1, 2017) — Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is set to celebrate a century of innovation with anniversaries of Freightliner, Detroit, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus brands. Throughout 2017 DTNA will celebrate its legacy of delivering uncompromising quality, value and durability for more than one hundred years. With advanced engineering solutions—like Detroit™ engines, best-in-class safety systems, fuel economy and low-cost maintenance and service, DTNA is positioned to continue providing innovative solutions to its customers for the next one hundred years and beyond. This year, Freightliner Trucks celebrates 75 years of innovation while Western Star Trucks hits 50 years of rugged performance, Thomas Built Bus enjoys 100 years of business and Detroit reaches a milestone of offering industry-leading engines for almost 80…