U.S. Crude Production Forecast To Reach Record High in 2018
Thursday, August 17, 2017
(August 17, 2017) Total U.S. crude oil production is forecast to average 9.3 MMbbld in 2017, up 0.5 MMbbld from 2016, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook. In 2018, EIA expects production to reach an average of 9.9 MMbbld, which would surpass the previous record of 9.6 MMbbld set in 1970. EIA projects that most of the growth in U.S. oil production through the end of 2018 will come from tight rock formations within the Permian region in Texas and from the Federal Gulf of Mexico.
Connecticut Proposes Heating Fuel Fees for Conservation
Monday, August 7, 2017
The Hartford Courant reports that state officials are proposing that the 44% of Connecticut households that use fuel oil and propane for home heating be charged an additional energy conservation fee. Robert Klee, commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, told the newspaper that the amount of the proposed fee has yet to be determined. He said money generated from such charges would be put into a special fund to pay for energy conservation and efficiency programs.
NCTCOG Issues RFP for Alt Fuel Vehicle Platforms
Monday, July 31, 2017
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is coordinating a bulk purchase procurement on behalf of several local governments for several alternative fuel vehicle platforms, including propane and electric or plug-in hybrid electric technologies. Responses from authorized vehicle dealers in Texas are being sought through a request for proposals (RFP).
NPGA and Hazmat Transporters Remove Satellite Tracking Provision
Friday, July 28, 2017
Washington, DC (July 28, 2017) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), working with other hazardous material transporters, has succeeded in removing an expensive satellite tracking technology mandate provision from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorization legislation. The first draft of H.R. 2825 released by the House Homeland Security Committee contained a provision weakening the statutory ban on DHS that prevents it from mandating the installation of satellite tracking technologies on trucks transporting hazardous materials.
API Welcomes Reconsideration Of 2016 Emissions Rule by EPA
Friday, July 21, 2017
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has reiterated its support for cost-effective regulation that targets emissions of volatile organic compounds—which provide the accompanying benefit of methane emissions reductions—for natural gas operations. API’s comments came at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hearing on its New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) rule where the agency received testimony on extending compliance deadlines to allow it to revisit NSPS regulations finalized in 2016.

 

Senate Bill Seeks to Remove Barriers on Exports of LNG
Thursday, July 13, 2017
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has introduced the License Natural Gas (LNG) Now Act to remove barriers placed on U.S. exporters so they can quickly access the market and meet the global demand for natural gas. The legislation would revamp the current system put in place by the Department of Energy decades ago and establish market growth of U.S. exports without delays.
FMCSA Proposes Steps to Ease Truck Driver Shortage
Monday, July 10, 2017
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in June 2017 issued two proposals aimed at responding to a national shortage of qualified truck and bus drivers. The proposed processes would simplify obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for many individuals and reduce administrative expenses for both the driver applicant and state driver licensing agencies.
Thomas Built and Agility Team For School Bus Market Push
Monday, July 10, 2017
(July 10, 2017) — Thomas Built Buses (High Point, N.C.) has formed a strategic partnership with Agility Fuel Solutions (Costa Mesa, Calif.), a provider of highly-engineered and cost-effective propane autogas solutions for the school bus market. Through the partnership,Thomas Built Buses and Agility will provide propane technologies to the school bus market.
Michigan Attorney General Calls For Shutdown of Line 5 Pipeline
Monday, July 10, 2017
Following a review of an alternatives analysis study, Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette, who is widely expected to run for governor next year, is calling for a timeline for closing the Line 5 pipeline that runs under the Straights of Mackinac. The straits are where lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Line 5, a 645-mile pipeline built in 1953, runs from Superior, Wis. to Sarnia, Canada and transports about 540,000 bbld of light crude oil and natural gas liquids.
Latest Propane Products "In The News"
Sunday, July 9, 2017
(July 10, 2017) — Product LCWIFI ADAPTOR AND MOBILE APP. Liquid Controls has available the ON THE GO WIFI Adaptor and Mobile App that allow wireless control of Lectrocount LCR-II and LCR600 registers using a smart phone, Android, or iPhone, or a tablet. The adaptor can be used with the free app to control basic functions of the two registers. Each adaptor can be assigned a custom SSID and password, and a separate power supply is not required.
Propane People "In The News"
Sunday, July 9, 2017
(July 10, 2017) — Teresa Dorroh has joined RegO Products (Elon, N.C.) as LPG Business Development Manager for North America, where she will head the company’s efforts to identify, develop, define, and grow the business by ascertaining new market opportunities in North America. Dorroh began her career in 1989 with Thompson Tanks/Northwest Pipe Co.
OPEC Production Rises to Highest Level So Far This Year
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) crude oil output rose 270,000 bbld to 32.12 MMbbld in May 2017 compared to April, according to an S&P Global Platts survey released June 6, 2017. The rise was driven by sharp production recoveries by Libya and Nigeria, both of which are exempt from the organization’s production cut agreement.
EPA to Reconsider Changes To Risk Management Program
Monday, June 26, 2017
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will initiate new proceedings on changes to the Risk Management Program (RMP) that were finalized under the previous administration. The move follows a delay under President Trump’s regulatory freeze executive order.
Propane Products "In The News"
Thursday, June 22, 2017

Products TankMonitor 2017TANK MONITOR. Angus Monitoring Service LLC has added a propane version to its Gremlin tank monitor line. The monitors work off either cellular or RF connections. The Gremlin model features integration directly into most back-office software systems, so there is no added complication to the normal dispatching process.

Propane People “In The News”
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Superior Energy Systems (Cleveland) has appointed Crystelle Markley as marketing director. She will be responsible for executing the company’s long-term growth plan for propane solutions, focusing on the midstream market. Prior to joining Superior Energy, Markley spent 10 years with CleanFUEL USA (Georgetown, Texas) in various sales and marketing roles.
Operator Training Focus of National Forklift Safety Day
Monday, June 19, 2017
After completing forklift operator training, driver performance scores improved by 61%, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and as reported by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA). The critical need for, and proven effectiveness of, training was the key message at the fourth annual National Forklift Day hosted by ITA in Washington, DC, June 13, 2017.
Global energy security concerns caused by historic decline in Oil Discoveries, new Projects
Friday, June 2, 2017
(June 2, 2017) Global oil discoveries fell to a record low in 2016 as companies continued to cut spending and conventional oil projects sanctioned were at the lowest level in more than 70 years, reports the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). The agency warns that both trends could continue this year. Oil discoveries declined to 2.4 billion barrels in 2016, compared with an average of 9 billion barrels a year over the past 15 years.
OSHA Intends To Postpone Crane Rule Compliance Deadline
Friday, June 2, 2017
Washington, DC (June 1, 2017) — According to the most recent "NPGA Reports," the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) announced in a brief statement on its website that it intends to postpone the November 10, 2017 compliance deadline for the Crane and Derricks in Construction regulation. OSHA has not announced the actual postponement or for how long the compliance deadline will be postponed.
Does recent plunge in crude oil futures signal further weakness?
Friday, June 2, 2017
Unless U.S. crude oil imports show signs of slowing down—in line with stated intentions from OPEC and non-OPEC suppliers alike—skeptical market bulls could continue to head for the exists, according to an S&P Global Platts survey of analysts and its preview of last week’s U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) oil stocks data.
Ecoterrorism Manual Introduced In Energy Infrastructure Fight
Monday, May 22, 2017
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, citing the Inside Sources news organization, reports that a group of pipeline protesters is selling an ecoterrorism manual to instruct others on how to fight energy infrastructure projects. DAM, short for Direct Action Manual, is being sold for $25 a copy by groups connected to the protest camp for the Mariner East 2 pipeline in Pennsylvania.
Study Finds West Virginia Groundwater Not Affected by Hydraulic Fracturing
Monday, May 15, 2017
Hydraulic fracturing has not contaminated groundwater in northwestern West Virginia, but accidental spills of wastewater could pose a threat to surface water in the region, according to a new study by scientists at Duke University. “Based on consistent evidence from comprehensive testing, we found no indication of groundwater contamination over the three-year course of our study,” said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.