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Feature Articles

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

  • The Propane Industry’s Latest Display of Humanity

    “A world where everyone has a decent place to live” is the vision of international charity Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable housing for people in need. The organization’s website also notes that “Whenever possible, we build sustainable, energy-efficient, and healthy housing.” Lani Laporte, executive director of Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, says the organization has built many 5-Star Energy Star Homes, and a good number of the rural-area homes that the chapter has built use propane as an energy source. The two-county affiliate recently needed to purchase a van for picking up items donated to its ReStore thrift store, and because propane has been such an important fuel in the area, Laporte and her team looked at…
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  • Residential Propane Well Positioned for Gains As Prices Drop

    While continuing development of the propane engine fuel markets is expected to provide significant growth opportunities, traditional markets will continue to face competition from electric technologies, expansion of the natural gas distribution system, and long-term energy efficiency trends. Those are among the observations included in the “2016 Propane Market Outlook” released in November, a report commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for the industry and authored by Fairfax, Va.-based ICF International. The study undertakes to identify key market trends, opportunities, and threats facing the propane industry through 2025. Principal author Michael Sloan notes that the consumer propane market is in the midst of a period of very rapid change. Competition with electricity will continue to be a major challenge to growth in…
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  • British government praises benefits of environmentally-friendly propane

    Autogas Limited has welcomed plans announced by the British Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the introduction of five “Clean Air Zones” in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton. Designed to help improve air quality and bring the United Kingdom into line with EU nitrogen oxide targets, the proposals will not affect private car owners, but instead will target the most polluting vehicles such as old buses, taxis, coaches and trucks. As part of the announcement, the Government referenced the positive work that is already ongoing in Birmingham through the development of a repowered taxi fleet that will run on cleaner-burning propane autogas. “We’re extremely encouraged by these latest plans to help clean up air quality in the UK’s most affected towns…
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  • Alliance AutoGas Receives Multiple Heavy Duty Engine EPA Certifications

    Alliance Autogas, through their equipment developer Blossman Services, Inc., has gained EPA approval for the two most popular heavy duty spark ignited engine platforms, the 6.8 V10 from Ford and the 6.0 V8 from General Motors. Depending on the engine certification, model year coverage ranges from 2010 up to 2016. “With the development of these engine platforms we have positioned ourselves to be leaders in the Class 4-7 marketplace,” notes Ed Hoffman, president of Blossman Services. “The 6.8 V10 from Ford and the 6.0 V8 from General Motors are extremely popular engine options for many of our key segments.” These engines are typically found in work trucks, shuttle buses, school buses, street sweepers, and strip chassis from top manufacturers. Some popular vehicle models these engines…
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  • Winter Storm Goliath Causes Significant Damage Across U.S. Including floods, tornadoes, blizzards

    As Winter Storm Goliath sweeps across the U.S., the National Weather Service posted more storm warnings and winter weather advisories today for the Northeast from Pennsylvania to Maine. The most significant winter precipitation area runs from north and west of Albany, New York on across central and northern Vermont, much of New Hampshire, most of north-central Massachusetts and most of Maine. Western and central Massachusetts continues to see a mix of sleet and freezing rain, and is a worrisome area for significant ice accumulations. Mixed precipitation and snow accumulation is expected across the Northeast including Maine, upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Central and southern Vermont also are experiencing this wintery mix. In sharp contrast to a near-record heat wave that stretched across much of the…
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  • Cavagna Group Acquires Bigas, A Company Specializing In Fuel System Technologies

    The Cavagna Group, manufacturer of equipment and fittings for compressed gases, gas storage and gas control since 1949, recently finalized the acquisition of Bigas, a company specializing in the production of fuel systems technologies (reducers, injectors, control units) for engines powered by LPG as well as CNG. The Cavagna Group was already a 45 percent shareholder in the Florence, Italy-based company. According to the Cavagna Group, the decision aligned with the company's strategic development strategies, including directly and with increasing interest in the field of engine conversions to propane autogas and compressed natural gas fuel. The Cavagna Group offers a broad range of products in the field of technologies and systems for the control, regulation and storage of compressed gases. It employs more than 900…
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  • Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Acquires Gasco Energy Supply LLC

    OVERLAND PARK, Kan., (Dec. 18, 2015) — Today, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., announced the acquisition of Gasco Energy Supply LLC, an independent propane retailer based in Eldon, Missouri, that services residential, industrial/commercial, and agricultural accounts throughout the Ozark region. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive and demonstrates the partnership’s ongoing commitment to growing its core propane business through acquisitions that fit its operating model. "Like Ferrellgas, Gasco has a long history of providing excellent service to its customers, no matter what segment of the business they may fall into," said Ferrellgas’ President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold. "We look forward to building on their proud tradition and to welcoming Gasco’s employees into the Ferrellgas family." During its more than 75-year history, Ferrellgas has…
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  • Propane Benefits in Year-End Legislation

    Washington, DC (December 18, 2015) – Today, Congress passed H.R. 2029, the combined tax-relief and government funding legislation, bringing tax certainty, valuable research dollars, and regulatory relief to the propane industry. Rick Roldan, NPGA’s President and CEO congratulated Congress on taking decisive action to support the needs of small businesses and American energy consumers, “When Congress works together, consumers are the ultimate beneficiaries. The two-year extension of the Alternative Fuels Tax credit and the refueling property credit will promote domestic fuels like propane, make it easier to get more clean vehicles on the road, and save consumers money. NPGA would like to thank Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ron Kind (D-WI) for providing the bi-partisan leadership to advance these credits in Congress.” Earlier this year,…
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  • Congress passes tax extender legislation that positions propane industry to grow and compete

    A letter sent from National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Roldan, announced that congressional leaders reached a major agreement on federal spending and tax extenders late on Dec. 15, 2015. Roldan described some of the major policy provisions that will help the propane industry grow and compete. The following are four of the major tax provisions included in the agreement: A two-year extension of the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit. This refundable credit remains at 50cpg for 2015, but then will be energy content adjusted to 36 cpg for 2016, reflecting the changed energy content calculation of excise tax on autogas that was enacted earlier this year. A two-year extension of the refueling property credit. Allows a credit for 30% of…
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  • Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Acquires Propane USA in Southern Florida

    Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, today announced that it has acquired the assets of Propane USA, a propane marketer headquartered in Margate, Florida, and its affiliate companies, for$45.0 million. The purchase price was funded entirely from cash on hand. Propane USA will add approximately 7,600 residential and commercial customers and approximately 4.7 million gallons of retail propane sales to the Partnership's operations in Florida. In making the announcement, Chief Development Officer Mark Wienberg said, "The acquisition of Propane USA demonstrates our commitment to investing in external growth opportunities in strategic markets. Propane USA is a very well-run business with a solid track…
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  • Alkane Truck Company’s Super Rugged Dominator™ Is First Humvee-type Vehicle Powered By Liquid Propane

    Alkane Truck Company completed D.O.T. compliance with their Class 7 Cab Over truck and immediately announced plans to manufacture a Humvee-type vehicle they have branded The Alkane Dominator™. The first Alkane Dominators™ off the assembly line will be powered by Liquid Propane Gas (LPG), but will be available with an optional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system. Alkane has immerged as a leader in the development of alternative-powered trucks and brings to the market a unique production and distribution model. Like their Class 7 Cab Over, the Alkane Dominator ™ utilizes outsourced componentry and existing dealerships for distribution. The Alkane production model streamlines manufacturing and distribution reducing the associated costs and allows them to offer competitively priced vehicles in their respective markets. Specifically designed for…
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  • Fueling Memories of Daddy — A Warm, Wintertime Propane Story

    by Mark Ballard . . . “Are you on the keep-full list?” I heard Daddy say, holding our home phone receiver to his ear. This happened more times than I can remember all the years I was growing up. “Now, as I told you last time, that’s the only way for you to ensure your propane gas tank is full during the cold, winter months.” Daddy was involved in propane gas from my birth until he took his last breath. He ran Greene’s Propane Gas Co. in Macon, Ga. for many years. To say Daddy had propane gas streaming through his veins would be an understatement. The frigid, harsh winter months were especially busy in the gas business since many of rural Georgia’s furnaces were…
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