topic

Feature Articles

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

  • New Director Brings Energy Agency Experience To PERC

    Using propane in fuel cells, developing commercial applications for lowering NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions, creating combined heat and power (CHP) solutions for residential applications, promoting propane as a marine fuel to lower carbon emissions in the world’s waterways, and enacting carbon capture processes to eliminate carbon dioxide. These are all subjects Dr. Gokul Vishwanathan has either studied or worked on to develop real-life solutions. They are all areas of interest as the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) plots its 2020-22 Strategic Plan. Vishwanathan recently joined PERC as director of research and sustainability. “We’re happy to bring Gokul on board,” said Cinch Munson, PERC’s senior vice president, business development. “His experience really fits our strategic priorities and what we need to accomplish. Renewable…
    Read More →: New Director Brings Energy Agency Experience To PERC

  • The Actions We Take Affect Ourselves And Many Others

    By Frank Thompson… I recently devoted some time to reflection upon my time in this industry. Twenty-six years insuring propane marketers. Twenty-six years of working with good people who make their living selling a fuel that is clean burning and renewable. Twenty-six years of learning the propane business and applying what I have studied and learned about risk management and insurance to the industry. Have I made a difference? I can look back at some monumental occasions when what I knew kept a company in business. For example, there was the explosion and fire that destroyed a major fuel distributor in 2006. Because I had asked them to increase their property values and business income, which they did, their business was able to rebuild and…
    Read More →: The Actions We Take Affect Ourselves And Many Others

  • Off-Road Business Development Focus Of New PERC Director

    Concrete cutters, forklifts, and commercial lawn mowers are three opportunities for propane that will be promoted by the new director of off-road business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Matt McDonald, who joined PERC in May 2020, will lead research and development and training projects with a focus on new product development and communication strategy and outreach. “I always have had an eye for opportunities for propane,” McDonald said. “An example would be large buildings going in where a lot of concrete is a major component in the building process. Propane is a perfect fuel for the process of cutting concrete in areas that are often enclosed. A fuel with very few emissions is best for the health of employees in this…
    Read More →: Off-Road Business Development Focus Of New PERC Director

  • New Propane Software Features Deliver Convenience, Efficiency, And More

    BASE Engineering (Saint John, N.B., Canada) has added three new features to its ProControl3 Integrated Fuel Delivery System over the past year. The ProControl3 (PC3) is a handheld device for drivers that features truck remote control and safety features as well as complete delivery system management. Alone, the handheld allows hose-end remote control of the pump, tank valves, engine RPM, hose reel, and emergency stop. With the BASEstation HUB, BASE Engineering’s onboard computer hub, the PC3 can also record DOT pre-trip truck inspections, capture and display inventory levels on the truck, display an optimized customer delivery list, and perform several point-of-sale functions. “The pandemic has sped the transition from paper to the cloud, off paper tickets and toward automation,” says Laura Lunn, marketing coordinator. The…
    Read More →: New Propane Software Features Deliver Convenience, Efficiency, And More

  • Apps Boost Customer Convenience, Propane Marketer Efficiency

    When Proulx Oil & Propane (Newmarket, N.H.) saw that half their customers were doing business them over mobile phones, the company decided to make that contact even easier. The provider of propane, fuel oils, and equipment contacted the provider of its e-commerce system and invested in an app. In mid-June, the Proulx Oil & Propane Mobile App was officially launched. Now, with just a tap on their phone or tablet, customers can make payments, view their transaction history, order fuel, view delivery history, manage tank locations, see their current price plans, and request service. “We realized that our customers were increasingly looking to do business with us over their mobile phones and this application gave us an all-new way to get closer to them,” Maribeth…
    Read More →: Apps Boost Customer Convenience, Propane Marketer Efficiency

  • Time To Get Even More Engaged Before Elections

    (August 12, 2020) — By Chad Kroening…We all have stories about how COVID-19 has changed our lives. And if you’ve turned on your local or national news over the past few months, you’ll see that government has changed, too. Before mid-March, the gold standard of advocacy was personal contact between a voter and an elected official, with anything else being easy for legislative offices to ignore. But with the U.S. Capitol and most state capitols either closed or limiting the number of people allowed to enter, in-person conversations have shifted to the virtual. Now, it’s not unusual for your member of Congress to hold a Zoom town hall and some are even hosting fundraisers where they ship you a bottle of wine to pop open…
    Read More →: Time To Get Even More Engaged Before Elections

  • PERC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed 2021 Budget

    (August 11, 2020) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is required by law to publish its proposed budget for the next calendar year before August 1 for industry and public comment. The Council’s Budget and Finance Committee has approved the budget recommendation, and the Council’s Executive Committee has approved the 2021 budget to be released for public comment. The 2021 budget proposed is now published for public comment at propane.com. Please provide your comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Aug. 31, 2020. Thank you in advance for your input.
    Read More →: PERC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed 2021 Budget

  • Gas Fireplace Inserts: Quick Install, New Propane Usage

    Wood fireplaces are cozy, inviting, warm, captivating, and nostalgic. They’re also drafty, inefficient, inconvenient, and dirty to operate and maintain. Casey Harvey points this out and notes that it creates an opportunity for propane marketers to sell direct vent gas fireplace inserts. These offer the benefits of a wood fireplace without the drawbacks. As director of sales at Ray Murray Inc. (RMI; Lee, Mass.), Harvey has found that propane marketers who are already doing HVAC work are in an excellent position to add a gas fireplace insert to a job they’ve sold and will soon be doing. They can start the conversation with customers by asking what they like and don’t like about their existing wood fireplace. Then, explain the advantages of an insert. A…
    Read More →: Gas Fireplace Inserts: Quick Install, New Propane Usage

  • Propane Industry Weighs In On Utility Proceedings

    “Even though propane is not a traditional regulated utility, commission decisions still have a large impact on our industry,” Jacob Peterson, manager, state engagement for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), told BPN. “Dec isions that promote other energy sources, such as natural gas or electricity, to the detriment of propane, hurt our market share and limit opportunities to grow gallons.” NPGA has been actively monitoring utility proceedings across the country, according to Jeff Petrash, NPGA’s vice president and general counsel. Petrash told BPN that Peterson, who joined NPGA in 2018, has been spearheading the process of monitoring dockets across the country. “Jacob has developed a system to look for cases that involve natural gas line extension policies, subsidized gas expansion projects, and transportation electrification—specifically…
    Read More →: Propane Industry Weighs In On Utility Proceedings

  • Propane Industry Weighs In On Utility Proceedings

    “Even though propane is not a traditional regulated utility, commission decisions still have a large impact on our industry,” Jacob Peterson, manager, state engagement for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), told BPN. “Dec isions that promote other energy sources, such as natural gas or electricity, to the detriment of propane, hurt our market share and limit opportunities to grow gallons.” NPGA has been actively monitoring utility proceedings across the country, according to Jeff Petrash, NPGA’s vice president and general counsel. Petrash told BPN that Peterson, who joined NPGA in 2018, has been spearheading the process of monitoring dockets across the country. “Jacob has developed a system to look for cases that involve natural gas line extension policies, subsidized gas expansion projects, and transportation electrification—specifically…
    Read More →: Propane Industry Weighs In On Utility Proceedings

  • Propane Autogas Answers Virtual Event

    (August 5, 2020) — Join South Shore Clean Cities and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for the "Propane Autogas Answers" virtual event, Thursday, August 6, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. CDT. Take advantage of this learning opportunity and reduce emissions without leaving your desk. Learn the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of propane as a motor fuel Discover what on- & off-road products are available for your fleet Understand available financial incentives Gain valuable knowledge about installing propane fueling stations Hear from national propane autogas industry leaders Speakers include: Ryan Lisek, Project Manager, South Shore Clean Cities
– Steve Whaley, Director of Autogas Business Development, Propane Education & Research Council
 Mike Hayden, Propane Manager, Co-Alliance
 Derek Whaley, Business Development Manager, ROUSH CleanTech
…
    Read More →: Propane Autogas Answers Virtual Event

  • Propane Autogas Answers Virtual Event

    (August 5, 2020) — Join South Shore Clean Cities and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for the "Propane Autogas Answers" virtual event, Thursday, August 6, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. CDT. Take advantage of this learning opportunity and reduce emissions without leaving your desk. Learn the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of propane as a motor fuel Discover what on- & off-road products are available for your fleet Understand available financial incentives Gain valuable knowledge about installing propane fueling stations Hear from national propane autogas industry leaders Speakers include: Ryan Lisek, Project Manager, South Shore Clean Cities
– Steve Whaley, Director of Autogas Business Development, Propane Education & Research Council
 Mike Hayden, Propane Manager, Co-Alliance
 Derek Whaley, Business Development Manager, ROUSH CleanTech
…
    Read More →: Propane Autogas Answers Virtual Event

OUR DIGITAL PARTNERS

trending

From Our Partners