Propane Industry News

During the virtual event Work Truck Week 2021 (WTW21), industry professionals can learn about more than 100 new commercial truck products now, with more to debut when the event goes live next week.

Wilson School District (Berks County, Pennsylvania) celebrated the arrival of seven new propane-powered buses on January 27. This was the first delivery of many as it plans to convert its entire 63-vehicle fleet in the coming years.

The buses are quieter, more efficient and cost less to maintain. Randy S. Williams, the district’s transportation director, notes that the new buses will cost about 13 cents per mile to operate, compared to 20 cents per mile for diesel. In addition, propane-powered buses generate far less pollution than diesel.

According to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count, released February 26, the United States rig count was up five from the previous week at 402. Oil rigs were up four to 309, gas rigs were up one to 92, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at one.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) responded February 26 to the Biden administration’s announcement to update the social cost of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and signaled the industry’s commitment to working with the administration to shape a lower-carbon future.

FuelExchange, a merger and acquisition service for the energy industry, recently provided advisory services during the sale of Holden Oil of Peabody, Massachusetts, to one of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Superior Plus Corp.

Established in 1924, Holden Oil is a third-generation retail energy distributor serving approximately 8,750 residential and commercial customers in the Northeast.

Warren H. Gfeller of Russell, Kansas, has been appointed by the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to serve on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Animal and Animal Products.

Platform Fuels has appointed Steve Wambold chief executive officer.

Superior Plus Corporation announced February 18 that its subsidiary, Superior Plus LP, has entered into a definitive agreement with Birch Hill Equity Partners to sell its specialty chemicals business.

The sale of Superior’s Specialty Chemicals business represents the final step in Superior’s long-term portfolio transformation into a pure-play energy distribution company.

Energy Transfer LP and Enable Midstream Partners LP announced February 17 that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Energy Transfer will acquire Enable in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately $7.2 billion.

Foster Fuels (Brookneal, Virginia) has been delivering fuel to critical infrastructure and crews working to restore power in the aftermath of the 2021 Texas ice storms that left more than 4 million people without power. Initially dispatching around two dozen trucks, the count has grown to more than 110, delivering diesel fuel and gasoline after an emergency fuel activation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Missouri Propane Education & Research Council (MOPERC) has presented Liberty Public Schools a check for $20,000 for its purchase of 10 new Blue Bird propane autogas school buses. The emissions- and cost-reducing propane school buses are currently in service for the district’s daily and activity routes, which have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Feb. 19, the United States rig count was unchanged from the previous week at 397. Oil rigs were down one to 305, gas rigs were up one to 91, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at one.
 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a three-part funding opportunity that totals $30 million for the replacement of commercial, mass transit and transportation support vehicles that move products with new models, including electric, alternative fuel and diesel vehicles.

As Texas endures the greatest energy insecurity in recent history, the Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel (RLHF) industry is offering America a viable, clean fuel that can be utilized as part of the United States energy mix, to relieve pressure on an overstretched electrical grid, keeping the heat and lights on into the coming decades, the National Energy and Fuels Institute announced in a press release.

Blue Rhino has added home propane delivery service in five new cities. The propane tank exchange brand, which is part of Ferrellgas L.P., is now delivering to homes in Denver; Oklahoma City; Richmond, Virginia; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This expansion follows the brand’s successful home delivery pilot program in Atlanta and Tampa, Florida.

Superior Plus Corp. announced February 11 that through one of its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiaries it has completed two propane acquisitions.

In one, it has acquired the equity interests of a Quebec retail propane distribution company operating under the tradename Miller Propane. Miller is a retail propane distributor in the Mont-Tremblant area with annual volumes of approximately 4 million liters and 5,600 residential and commercial customers.

Agility Fuel Solutions and Hexagon Mobile Pipeline have joined forces as Hexagon Agility, strengthening their position as a provider of (renewable) natural gas mobility solutions (g-mobility solutions). The combined business launched its new corporate identity and brand February 16.

In a press release dated February 15, the Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC) invited the public to “Thank a propane delivery worker.”

With the continued cold weather blasting Missouri and much of the country, the organization explained, the state’s propane providers have been stepping up to ensure timely and safe deliveries to homes, farms and businesses.

According to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count, released February 12, the United States rig count was up five from the previous week to 397. Oil rigs were up seven to 306, gas rigs were down two to 90, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at one.

The U.S. rig count was down 393 rigs from last year’s count of 790, with oil rigs down 372, gas rigs down 20 and miscellaneous rigs down one.

The U.S. offshore rig count was up one to 17, but down six year over year.