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Feature Articles

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

  • PERC, Innovation Pavilion Exbititors Welcome New Partnerships

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  • Derry Township School District Deploys Cleaner, More Cost-Effective School Buses Fueled by Propane Autogas

    HERSHEY, Pa. (March 22, 2016) — Derry Township School District introduced three new school buses fueled by propane autogas into its fleet for the 2015-16 school year. The Blue Bird Propane Vision buses have already saved the school district money by reducing fuel and maintenance costs. “It’s our department’s goal to save money in transportation costs that can be used for better purposes. Our normal preventative maintenance will cost about $240 less per bus per year with the propane autogas buses,” said Steve Bell, director of transportation and garage operations for DTSD. “The down time and other repair costs will definitely be less than our diesel buses.” Along with being fiscally responsible, Bell says the school district’s use of more environmentally friendly buses fit well…
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  • Rinnai America Unveils Cutting Edge Customer Experience Facility

    (Peachtree City, GA) March 21, 2016 – Rinnai, a leading brand of tankless water heaters in the United States and Canada, has launched a state-of-the-art customer experience facility at its U.S. and Canadian headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia. The facility will be an engaging, multifunctional space designed to enhance customer knowledge and contractor expertise through meetings and product demonstrations, selling and technical training sessions, industry events and customer visits. “We are constantly creating innovative solutions through teamwork and technology for our dealers, installers, customers and consumers. Naturally, we wanted to create a versatile physical space to generate and display those solutions,” said Susan Mittelbrun, Vice President of Marketing at Rinnai America Corporation. “The space is designed with bright materials and an open concept to nurture…
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  • ARRO Autogas Celebrates Opening of Propane Autogas Refueling Station

    Propane fuel provider ARRO Autogas, in partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition, and the City of Exeter, Calif., announced the opening of a new public propane autogas refueling station. The new station, located at 350 W. Firebaugh Avenue in Exeter, will celebrate its grand opening Tuesday, March 22, 2016, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Dignitaries including Exeter city officials, local and state government representatives, police and fire officials are invited to attend. The propane autogas refueling station will provide 24/7 autogas refueling for the private sector, propane fleets, the City of Exeter's propane pickup trucks and lawn mowers, and the local school district's new, cleaner- burning propane powered school buses. Ted Olsen, ARRO Autogas Market Manager stated, “What better way to celebrate…
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  • Propane Mower Incentive Funds Up to $1,000 Per Propane Mower Expected To Expire Soon

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently announced that funds for the popular Propane Mower Incentive Program will expire soon, possibly by the end of April. Time is running out for landscape contractors to take advantage of the Mower Incentive Program that provides a $1,000 rebate to applicants for each commercial propane mower purchase and $500 for each qualified propane conversion kit. “Since the incentive program was made available again in October of 2015, we’ve seen a lot of interest throughout the commercial landscape industry,” said Jeremy Wishart, deputy director of business development for PERC. “If current application rates hold steady, we expect the program to sunset by the end of April, though we hope to roll it out again in the future.” In…
    Read More →: Propane Mower Incentive Funds Up to $1,000 Per Propane Mower Expected To Expire Soon

  • Opportunities Abound — Just Look Around

    This is the time of year that great ideas for growing gallons and burner tips seem to blossom. With each convention and trade show, whether focused on the propane industry or on homes and indoor and outdoor comforts, new ideas for additional burner tips are available for the taking, if convention attendees take notice. One company well-represented at the National Propane Gas Association Expo, as well as at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Show (HPBExpo), is Robert H. Peterson (City of Industry, Calif.). The 68-year-old company has partnered with the propane industry for more than 50 years, and it has been an exhibitor at the NPGA Southeastern Expo for more than 20 years. Tod Corrin, Robert H. Peterson’s executive vice president, commented, “We exhibit…
    Read More →: Opportunities Abound — Just Look Around

  • The Future of Building and Propane’s Role in Building the Future

    The propane industry hopes what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. During January’s National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, the varied and efficient uses of propane were in full view of thousands of show attendees. Leading the way for the propane industry was the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Its booth was full of information extolling the virtues of propane, and was highlighted by the raffling off of a propane barbecue grill. More importantly, PERC was the sponsor of the Ultimate Kitchen exhibit, a trailer transformed into a one-bedroom, one-bath home that showcased many new products for the home builder/designer to incorporate into a home. Chief among the features was propane. All appliances in the kitchen were…
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  • Maximize Your Share, Increase Propane Burner Tips

    By Tamera Kovacs . . . Typically when we think of utility bills we categorize them as the gas bill, the electric bill, the phone bill, and so on. We have become accustomed to thinking this way because those are bills we receive and pay. But instead of focusing on who your customers write checks to, think about maximizing your share of their utility expenses by increasing the number of propane burner tips at each residential customer’s home. Consider your customers’ bills in terms of usage by utility. Are you getting the utility dollars or are those utility dollars going to someone else? Primary examples are home heating, water heating, cooking, fireplaces, supplemental heat, fire pits, and outdoor or patio kitchens…and that’s just for residential…
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  • PERC $10-Million Consumer Education Campaign Approved

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) on Feb. 18 took a substantial step toward launching a new consumer education program, approving a $10-million campaign for 2016 that uses the tagline “Proudly Propane” to create an emotional connection with consumers and marketers. Aiming to differentiate propane through emotional engagement with the product, the campaign will seek to reach consumers through television, radio, and print advertising, along with a digital communications strategy. It will also include materials and content that propane marketers can use to take part in the campaign and enhance their own marketing efforts. Although the council approved funding for the three-year campaign, PERC and The Richards Group, which is serving as PERC’s advertising agency for the project, still must decide on the centerpiece…
    Read More →: PERC $10-Million Consumer Education Campaign Approved

  • Some Changes Taking Place in Market Fundamentals and Prices

    By JD Buss . . . More market volatility. We see that in both market fundamentals and in market prices. From the fundamental standpoint, the surge in export volume from the United States has now made our domestic market both heavily intertwined with, and susceptible to, other international conditions. A major view now is that exports will continue indefinitely. But a change in the demand in China, or a narrowing of prices in South America or another region, will generate decisions that could leave more—or less—propane within our domestic borders. Exports have already had a huge impact on propane prices. One impact has been a lengthening of the propane price curve. Price curves now go out to 2020, and it’s not unusual to hear quotes…
    Read More →: Some Changes Taking Place in Market Fundamentals and Prices

  • New Group Offers One-Stop Shopping To Grow Propane Autogas Industry

    A new group, described as “an important avenue to grow the autogas industry,” has been formed by ICOM North America (New Hudson, Mich.). Named the United Propane Autogas Solutions Group, or UPAS Group, it is a coalition of member companies designed to provide fleets a seamless, one-stop approach to autogas. Members will include propane vehicle systems manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers and dealers, propane vehicle system installers and service locations, manufacturers and installers of fueling infrastructure, propane fuel suppliers/marketers, and fleets. UPAS Group says it will “enable a rapid and seamless integration of propane vehicles across North America.” Albert Venezio, chairman of ICOM and who is serving as chair of the UPAS Group, notes that the collective will also serve as a buying group, with a…
    Read More →: New Group Offers One-Stop Shopping To Grow Propane Autogas Industry

  • Superior Plus Energy Services Joins Alliance AutoGas Network

    The thirteenth largest propane marketer in the U.S., Superior Plus Energy Services, headquartered in Rochester, NY, recently joined the Alliance AutoGas network, a network comprised of more than 120 independent propane marketers and authorized conversion centers throughout North America, providing a propane autogas solution to medium and heavy-duty fleets. Since 1922, Superior Plus Energy Services has served residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, transportation and government customers in nine states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Employing 1,000 individuals, Superior Plus Energy Services is one of the largest fuel marketers in the U.S. Alliance AutoGas states that current Alliance customers, which range from national transportation companies, taxi and shuttle fleets, law enforcement and private fleets throughout North America, are experiencing significant fuel cost savings and reduced maintenance…
    Read More →: Superior Plus Energy Services Joins Alliance AutoGas Network

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