Washington, DC (Dec. 26, 2016) — The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a grant of $18 million recently to help fund five specific projects that further the use of alternative fuels including the research, development, and demonstration of innovative light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles that operate on fuels such as propane autogas, biodiesel, electricity, E85, hydrogen, and natural gas. Projects include direct injection propane engine technologies and plug-in electric vehicles (PEV), as well as community-based projects to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels. According to the DOE, public investment in advanced, energy efficient transportation technologies and systems will improve our nation’s energy security, support energy independence, reduce transportation emissions, and strengthen U.S. economic competiveness. The following five projects were selected by the DOE to help…

When team members at Shaffer’s Bottled Gas (Hooversville, Pa.) decided to build a new propane appliance showroom, they had to decide whether to remain at the company’s Hooversville location or move closer to one of the nearby more-populated towns. They decided to stay in Hooversville, a small town of about 700 people that had been historically a coal mining area and has become somewhat of a bedroom community to the two larger metropolitan areas of Johnstown to the north and Somerset to the south. “We felt it was strategically placed to take advantage of both of those customer sets, as well as a much more economical operating environment in a small town,” said company president Jeff Shaffer.  After months of preparation, the company officially moved…

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently approved an $8.24-million Consumer Education campaign for 2017 ( BPN , December 2017, page 24) aimed at continuing goals to maintain gains in familiarity and favorability of propane with its "Blue" the dog and "Proudly Propane" advertising campaign. The Council also approved the following project dockets at its November 2016 meeting in Naples, Florida.

Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) who has led the staff since March 1998, announced that he is retiring effective July 31, 2017.

Although many factors go into keeping a propane company in business for 75 years, Shannon McWhorter believes strong customer service and community involvement are two areas that have led to his company, Sequoia Gas (Fortuna, Calif.), celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In the area of customer service, if someone telephones the Sequoia Gas office in either Arcata or Fortuna in Northern California, he or she can talk to a Sequoia owner, or someone with decision-making authority, any time. “If there is a problem or inquiry for more information on some kind of appliance, or what do I need to put a propane tank in, they’ll get someone on the end of the line who is going to be able to take care of them…

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) announces that its Freeport LPG Export Terminal located in Freeport, Texas, is fully operational. The company loaded its first contracted cargo on the Commander, a very large gas carrier (VLGC) that departed the terminal on Dec. 16, 2016. “The startup of the Freeport LPG Export Terminal is the culmination of a four-year effort to develop a new U.S. Gulf Coast natural gas liquids (NGL) market hub that also includes Phillips 66 Partners’ 100,000 barrel-per-day Sweeny fractionator and 7.5 million barrel Clemens storage facility,” said Greg Garland, chairman and CEO of Phillips 66. “The new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal gives customers the ability to place multi-grade LPG products directly into global markets through Port Freeport, which provides immediate blue…

Recognizing the importance of engaging younger members, the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association’s (PAPGA) board of directors has established a GeneratioNext Committee. Mark Delehanty of Independence Propane (Green Lane), an early initiator of the idea, noted that attracting quality employees has been an ongoing industry problem for several years. “As our workforce gets older, there is a lot of experience falling off and not being replaced,” he said, adding the problem applies to all types of propane industry employees, including drivers, technicians, office staff, and management. Keeping PAPGA relevant is the second goal of the committee. As more senior propane company employees retire, fewer people are stepping in to take their places as association board and committee members. “Another component of GeneratioNext is getting the youths…

Kansas City, MO (December 13, 2015) – Crestwood Services, the Supply & Logistics unit of Crestwood Equity Partners LP, today announced the development of a new rail terminal in Montgomery, New York. The terminal will provide propane marketers across New York, New England and other parts of the Northeast with much-needed reliability. It is expected to open in the summer of 2017. The terminal’s state-of-the-art design will include a 16-spot rail rack operating two switches per day, assuring a capacity of up to 100 trucks per day — a volume of one million gallons. The four-spot truck rack with can pumps will load four trucks in 17 minutes, eliminating long wait times during peak winter months and optimizing daily transportation. The Montgomery terminal will be…

(Grand Island, Neb.) December 8, 2016 — With more than 60 years in the petroleum business, Bosselman Energy, Inc. recently announced the completion of the acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer in Trenton, Nebraska. The acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer will assist Bosselman Energy in further expanding their footprint into western Nebraska. Southwest Fertilizer has a long-standing tradition of excellent customer service and on-time delivery due to its strong commitment to customers. Southwest Fertilizer will continue to offer refined fuels, propane, lubricants and fertilizers. Brad Williams will continue in his leadership role as Operations Manager, and all nine Southwest Fertilizer employees will remain in their current positions ensuring a smooth transition. “The acquisition of Southwest Fertilizer allows us to further expand our fuel distribution network and this will…