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.
Residential Energy Consumption Survey Reports Home Heating Equipment Choices Diverse, Vary by Climate and Region
Friday, May 12, 2017
Data from the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show the majority of American households use one of three types of equipment as their main source of heat during the winter: natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces, or electric heat pumps. The range of equipment and fuels, however, varies across and within U.S. climate regions, as identified by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Ohio, Pennsylvania Show Highest Increase In Natural Gas Production
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
After reaching a record high of 79 Bcfd in 2015, U.S. marketed natural gas production fell to 77 Bcfd in 2016, the first annual decline since 2005, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Texas, the state with the most natural gas production, fell by 2.5 Bcfd while Ohio and Pennsylvania each increased by about 1.2 Bcfd.
Report Finds Pipelines Continue to Be Among Safest Transport Modes
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The American Petroleum Institute (API), along with the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL), has released the pipeline industry’s 2017-2019 Pipeline Safety Excellence Strategic Plan and 2016 Performance Report. The Performance Report shows the number of incidents dropped by 10% from 2015 levels, while the Pipeline Safety Excellence Strategic Plan summarizes the industry’s track record on pipeline safety and outlines steps taken by operators to advance safety efforts throughout the pipeline supply chain.
Paraco Gas Acquires Island Propane, Expands Long Island Base
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Rye Brook, NY (May 9, 2017) — Paraco Gas announced May 1st the acquisition of Island Propane, headquartered in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. The acquisition provides family-owned and operated Paraco with a strong, customer-focused service and delivery business and complements and extends its existing footprint on Long Island. Paraco has been serving Long Island since 1985 and provides propane services to residential and commercial customers throughout the region from three locations: Bay Shore, Bohemia, and Riverhead.
NPGA Task Force: Proper Planning Ensures Adequate Supply for Customers
Monday, May 8, 2017
Addressing concerns about winter propane supply among its membership, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) April 28, 2017, outlined steps it is taking in cooperation with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to improve reliability. Observed was that more than 10 billion gallons of propane will be exported from the U.S. in 2017, this while domestic transportation resources remain virtually unchanged from the winter of 2013-2014, a heating season when supply and logistics problems were wide-ranging and severe.