Canada Is the United States’ Largest Energy Trade Partner
Friday, March 31, 2017
Canada is the largest energy trading partner of the U.S. Citing the latest annual data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports energy accounted for about 5% of the value of all U.S. exports to Canada and more than 19% of the value of all imports from Canada in 2016. While the value of bilateral energy trade with Canada has varied over the past decade, driven primarily by changes in the prices of oil and natural gas, the overall structure of bilateral energy trade flows has changed relatively little, and U.S.
Energy Revolution Sparks U.S. Manufacturing Sector
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
The energy revolution continues to bring good economic news to an otherwise anemic economy, writes Karen A. Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. And now there’s a new example to demonstrate just how true that is. Speaking at the recent CERAWeek 2017 conference, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods outlined a new 'Growing the Gulf' initiative to increase the company’s manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.
President's Budget Eliminates (LIHEAP) - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Friday, March 24, 2017
(March 23, 2017) — In yesterday's “NPGA Report,” the National Propane Gas Association noted that in President Donald Trump's recently released budget proposal, the document detailing the White House's spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, would increase defense spending by $54 billion. This is paid for by cutting a commensurate amount from discretionary, domestic spending. It is important to note that this budget is only the President's suggestion. Ultimately, it is up to Congress to debate and pass the country's budget and spending bills.
Greenkraft Prepping New Medium-Duty Trucks
Thursday, March 23, 2017
After its recent introduction of new trucks that run on propane and CNG, Greenkraft Inc. (Santa Ana, Calif.) plans to expand to a bigger factory in 2017 and introduce a new line of trucks called the G3 and G4, which are larger-sized trucks in weights of 26,000 lb (Class 6) and 33,000 lb (Class 7), respectively.
Vehicle Trends Perspective from the Propane Education & Research Council
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Over the past few years, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has focused heavily on getting vehicles in the marketplace that the propane industry can use. The council’s work has contributed to a variety of offerings, and the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) S2G bobtail and the Roush/Ford F-750 bobtail are just two of many examples, said the council’s COO, Tucker Perkins. “You also begin to see now the full suite of Ford and GM trucks and more light- and medium-duty service trucks and bobtails,” he noted.
Propane Prominent at 2017 Energy Independence Summit
Monday, March 20, 2017
Phil Squair, NPGA’s senior vice president of public and governmental affairs, addressed an audience of more than 100 at the 2017 Energy Independence Summit. The annual event brings together alternative fuel industry leaders from across the country to advocate for policies that will increase the use of propane, and other alternative fuels, across the United States.
Educating the Industry on the Electronic Logging Device Rule
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) shared information in response to recent questions regarding the scope of the new electronic logging device (ELD) requirement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Around the time of the 2016 NPGA Southeastern Conference in Nashville, some questions on the requirement arose as to the applicability of ELDs to industry trucks that were transported to Nashville for exhibition on the show floor.
Proposed Border Adjusted Tax Has Key Implications for Propane Marketers
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
With tax reform high on the agenda of the 115th Congress, NPGA Government Affairs Committee members were recently advised of a Republican-sponsored tax policy paper introduced in the summer of 2016 that includes a provision to establish a border adjusted tax (BAT) designed to exempt exports while taxing all imported goods at the corporate tax rate. The paper, “A Better Way,” by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Ways and Means Committee chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), has several key implications for propane marketers.
IN MEMORIUM
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The following propane industry pioneers will be greatly missed.

Leslie Howard Armstrong, an employee of Universal Gas (Devine and Lufkin, Texas) from 1977 to 1986, and Ferrellgas until his retirement in 1991, passed away Dec. 13, 2016. He was 86.
Propane People In The News
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Wayne Morgan, vice president of sales at Meeder Equipment Co. (Fresno, Calif.), retired Nov. 18. He started with Meeder in 1972 at its Fresno location before moving to Colorado to manage the Denver warehouse. Morgan returned to California in 2002 to manage sales from the corporate office in Fresno.
People Christiansen
Superior Plus Acquiring Canwest Propane Business in Stock Deal
Thursday, March 9, 2017
(March 9, 2017) Superior Plus Corp. (Toronto) has entered into an agreement with Gibson Energy Inc. (Calgary) to acquire its retail propane business, Canwest Propane, in a transaction valued at $412 million. e acquisition is expected to be completed by the second half of this year. e acquisition is seen as significantly enhancing Superior Plus Corp.’s energy distribution business while positioning it for oil eld activity recovery and improved demand in Western Canada.
MarkWest, Antero Form Joint Venture To Support Marcellus Shale Production
Monday, March 6, 2017
MPLX LP (Findlay, Ohio) subsidiary MarkWest Energy Partners LP and Antero Midstream Partners LP (Denver) have formed a joint venture to support the development of Antero Resources’ extensive Marcellus Shale acreage in the prolific rich-gas corridor of West Virginia. The joint venture is owned 50% by MarkWest and 50% by Antero and is supported by a long-term, fee-based agreement.
Propane Products In The News: ADD Systems Announces the New RaVen® Toughpad Tablet
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
(Flanders, NJ) February 28, 2017 – Advanced Digital Data, Inc. (ADD Systems), the leading supplier of software solutions to the energy distribution industry, announces the launch of the Raven software mobile delivery solution on a Panasonic® Toughpad® tablet. Raven, originally launched in 1995, is deployed today in 6,500 trucks across North America. The new Raven tablet has been redesigned to take advantage of the larger rugged touchscreen display and boasts a new intuitive user experience, which makes deploying Raven even simpler.
Tight Oil Expected to Make Up Most of U.S. Production Increase
Monday, February 27, 2017
(February 27, 2017) — The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) recently released Annual Energy Outlook 2017 projects that U.S. tight oil production will increase to more than 6 MMbbld in the coming decade, making up most of total U.S. oil production. After 2016, tight oil production remains relatively constant through 2040 in the reference case as tight oil development moves into less productive areas and as well productivity decreases. Side cases with different resource and technology assumptions result in different tight oil and total U.S.
Gas Market Price Convergence May Lead to Global Marketplace
Monday, February 27, 2017
The big question for the gas market in 2017 is whether strong signs of the emergence of a truly global gas market will evolve further, maintains S&P Global Platts, pointing to a large degree of price convergence between regional markets in 2016. Traditional pricing in international gas trade has been based on oil indexation, but the oil price rollercoaster of the last few years, increasing LNG production, and growing competition between LNG and pipeline gas have led to a rethinking of oil indexation.
Phillips 66 Ramps Up LPG Exports Out of Freeport, Texas
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Houston, TX (February 23, 2017) — Phillips 66 (Houston) has ramped up its LPG exports out of Texas, and bigger plans for its LPG production and operations could be on the horizon, reports Tank-Terminals. Phillips 66’s Freeport, Texas export terminal has been exporting and will continue to export near maximum capacity at about eight cargos a month, senior executives said during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call.
NPGA Update Announces Resources To Help States' Address Subsidized Natural Gas, Other Challenges
Thursday, February 16, 2017
(January 16, 2017) The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) in its Winter 2017 Director's Update summarized propane industry efforts in 2016 to battle against subsidized natural gas expansion efforts, resulting in victories in Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia. In this new year, NPGA expects the natural gas forces to push even harder, so it is adjusting its communication and political tactics and finding new ways to tell the industry's story to legislators and regulators.

State Engagement Initiative Programs:
Whose "Duty to Warn" Is It?
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
"Duty to warn” is an annual risk-mitigation process for propane marketers to inform customers of important propane safety information. Educating customers about the proper use and storage of propane, as well as how to detect warning signs of a gas leak, can significantly reduce the risk of propane-related hazards — thereby reducing your company’s risk. If you’re not sending out this annual communication, who is?
New Propane Products In The News
Friday, February 10, 2017
Product Blackmer 1SLIDING VANE PUMPS. The new Blackmer SGLWD Series sliding vane pumps with double mechanical seals provide protection against unforeseen leakage of volatile liquids. Available in two sizes, the SGLWD3 and SGLWD4, the pumps have been specifically developed to provide zero leakage by the use of an exclusive cartridge type, double radial seal design.
Propane People In The News
Friday, February 10, 2017
In Memorium: It is with great sadness to report Daryl Ingalsbe, president and CEO of Independent Technologies Inc. (Blair, Neb.) died in a plane crash near his home in Spruce Creek, Fla. on Dec. 27, 2016. He was 67. Ingalsbe founded the company in 1991. People Ingalsbe 1
Trump Executive Orders Expedite Energy and Infrastructure Projects
Monday, February 6, 2017
Washington, DC (February 6, 2017) — President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders and presidential memoranda aimed at expediting priority energy and infrastructure projects, among them construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and the remaining portions of the Dakota Access Pipeline, both of which were rejected by the Obama administration. Trump said the actions were in keeping with his campaign promise to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline projects that will create jobs and increase national security.