ASHRAE Offers COVID-19 Building Readiness/Reopening Guidance
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on mitigating potential health risks during reopening of buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have reached a time where planning for a safe return to normal activities has become a priority,” said 2019-2020 ASHRAE president Darryl K. Boyce, P.Eng.

“Safe operation of HVAC and building water management systems are critical components of building readiness and reopening, and ASHRAE’s resources provide a framework for developing plans in a variety of building types.”
ROUSH Forms New Task Force to Deal with COVID-19 Needs
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Roush Enterprises (Livonia, Mich.) has joined the ranks of companies repurposing their people, equipment, and materials to help during the COVID-19 outbreak. The company has formed a Medical Task Force that works with healthcare providers to design and manufacture desperately needed items, including: face shields; intubation protective equipment; portable high-volume oxygen supply units; field hospital bed design; ventilator wire harnesses; 3D printed ventilator adaptors; and filter components.
Dixie Pipeline to Undergo Hydrotest
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Dixie Pipeline Co. will conduct a pipeline hydrotest of the Opelika, Ala., to Milner, Ga., pipeline segment, beginning on May 11 and ending on May 29. During the hydrotest, product will be available at the Apex terminal via its cold storage tank. However, product will only be available for the first few days until tank inventories are depleted at the Milner, Lexington, Bethune, and Cheraw destinations. The Opelika, Alma, and Albany terminals will remain open for loading during the hydrotest.
PERC Launches New Grain Drying Calculator
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has launched a new Grain Drying Calculator tool that, by utilizing just three simple data points, will help producers determine the number of propane gallons needed each season. The tool will enable users to estimate the amount of propane each operation will require, making it easier to fill tanks early and prepare for supply needs prior to a seasonal increase in demand.
Global Energy Demand to Plunge This Year, Says IEA
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The International Energy Agency (IEA) writes the COVID-19 pandemic represents the biggest shock to the global energy system in more than seven decades, with the drop in demand this year set to dwarf the impact of the 2008 financial crisis and result in a record annual decline in carbon emissions of almost 8%.
Women in LPG Invite Nominations for 2020 Woman of the Year and Young Woman of the Year Awards
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Nominations for both the Woman of the Year and Young Woman of the Year 2020 awards are now open. Women in LPG (WINLPG) notes that you can either nominate yourself or a colleague, and even if you have applied in previous years, you can apply again.

The prestigious Woman of the Year Award is awarded each year to the outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to the LPG industry and to the cause of diversity.
NFPA Standards Council Takes Action
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports the Standards Council of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) met in April 2020 to consider business related to NFPA 58 and other standards of interest to the propane industry. With three proposed tentative interim amendments (TIA) before the Council, only one was issued. TIA Log No.
Railroad Commission Vote Provides Regulatory Relief to Industry
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) hosted a virtual open meeting on May 6, 2020 where the commissioners discussed common carrier pipeline and refinery storage capacity, the report produced by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Oil Economic Recovery, and proration.
Tennessee Essential Workers Finding Success with Alternative Fuels
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
In 2018, Todd Smith, city administrator for the Town of Greeneville, Tenn., wanted to reduce the town’s expenses as well as its impact on the environment. Smith started to research the potential benefits of adding an autogas program to the town’s fleet, and found that by working with Alliance AutoGas (AAG), it could purchase fuel at a fixed rate, have reduced maintenance requirements, and the ability to reduce the town’s carbon footprint.
May and June to See at Least 300,000 bbld Shut
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
U.S. oil production totaling at least 300,000 bbld is expected to be shut during May and June, according to a Rystad Energy analysis of early communication from U.S. oil producers. It is unclear how much of this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related decline. Observers say it is certain that more production is likely to be taken offline due to the low oil prices.
Blossman Acquires Georgia Propane Operation
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Blossman Gas Inc. (Ocean Springs, Miss.) has acquired A & A Gas of Carrollton, Ga. A & A Gas, a family-owned propane company, has served customers since it opened in 1981. Details of the acquisition were not offered.

When A & A employee and family member Patrick Steed was asked about the decision to choose Blossman Gas for the sale, he stated, “It's been great to find another propane family such as Blossman that is as passionate about the propane industry, safety, and customer service as we are.”
SAVE THE DATE: June 7 is #LPGday
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
The second edition of #LPGday will be marked on June 7. The World LPG Association (WLPGA) celebrates #LPGday each year to raise awareness about LPG using the #LPGday hashtag and also the LPG industry’s creative input. Launched last year as part of the annual global awareness calendar, #LPGday was a great success, engaging the LPG industry, media, politicians, and the general public around the world. With #LPGday, the industry can significantly increase the visibility of the benefits of LPG with a highly focused social media outreach.
Midstream Companies Focus on Safe Operations To Meet Critical Needs During COVID-19
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
As people around the world continue to make major adjustments and tough decisions related to the COVID-19 crisis, GPA Midstream Association, GPSA, and their member companies are tirelessly working to ensure that midstream employees are taking appropriate precautions and following strict COVID-19 protocols so that midstream operations, considered critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security, are not interrupted.
Canadian Propane and Butane Inventories Rose in March
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Canada’s primary underground propane inventories rose 4.3% in March to 412.3 Mcm, the equivalent of 2.6 MMbbl, according to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). The total represented a month-to-month gain of 16.9 Mcm. Compared to a year earlier, stocks were 3.1 Mcm, or 0.8%, higher.
COVID-19 Impact Drives Oil Futures To Lowest Price In History
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Negative oil pricing has become a reality—and with it comes the lowest price (in real terms) in the history of the oil industry, IHS Markit reported April 21. The previous record-low price—East Texas crude at $0.10/bbl in 1931 ($1.70 in 2020 terms)—is now in distant second place as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures settled at minus $37.63/bbl.
Task Force Submits Propane Recommendations To Michigan Governor
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
The U.P. Energy Task Force submitted to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer its 14 recommendations on propane availability in the Upper Peninsula on April 17. The report, “Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force Committee Recommendations: Part I—Propane Supply,” has been posted online at Michigan.gov/UPEnergyTaskForce.
Total U.S. Energy Exports Exceed Imports in 2019, First Time In 67 Years
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Energy exports from the United States reached an all-time high of 23.6 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) in 2019, marking the first time in 67 years that annual U.S. gross energy exports exceeded U.S. gross energy imports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Monthly Energy Review. Gross U.S. energy imports were 22.8 quads in 2019, the lowest since 1995. Last year was the first year when the U.S.