EPA Proposes Adding Natural Gas Processing Facilities Report Toxic Release Inventory
Friday, January 27, 2017
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted a Federal Register notice Jan. 6, 2017, proposing to add natural gas processing facilities to industrial sectors covered by reporting requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), commonly known as the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA).
Iowa Adopts Legislation for Public Fueling of Propane-Powered Vehicles
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 25, 2017) — The State of Iowa has adopted [661—201.2(1)] the 2015 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), which within Section 2307 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities) provides requirements for public fueling of motor vehicles (2307.7).
EPA Rebates to Fund Cleaner School Buses in 88 Communities
Friday, January 20, 2017
(January 20, 2017) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $7.7 million to replace or retrofit 401 older diesel school buses. The funds are going to 88 school bus fleets in 27 states, each of which will receive rebates through EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new and retrofitted buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.
Propane People In The News
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Sean B. Murray has joined Proulx Oil & Propane (Newmarket, N.H.) as sales/account manager. He will handle sales of oil and propane to all new construction projects, builders and developers, and residential and commercial consumer accounts throughout New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and North Shore Massachusetts.
New DOT Cylinder Requalification Rule Effective Jan. 23, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
(January 13, 2017) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and National Propane Gas Association reported that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized a new rule affecting timeframes pertaining to the requalification of DOT cylinders; this NEW RULE TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 23, 2017.

The rule impacts the following areas of cylinder requalification:
DOT Publishes Entry-Level CDL Applicant Driver Training Rule
Friday, January 13, 2017
(January 13, 2017) — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a final rule detailing minimum training requirements for commercial drivers’ license (CDL) applicants and CDL holders who seek endorsements, including the hazardous materials endorsement, reports the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). The compliance deadline is Feb. 7, 2020. Therefore, those seeking a CDL or an endorsement after that date must complete the recently published minimum training requirements before taking the CDL exam or endorsement exam.
NGL Energy Partners to Acquire Assets from Murphy Energy Corp.
Monday, January 2, 2017
TULSA, Okla. (January 2, 2017) — NGL Energy Partners LP (Tulsa) has been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court as the high bidder for certain assets of Murphy Energy Corp. (Tulsa). The assets include a Port Hudson, La. natural gas liquids terminal that supports refined products blending, and a Kingfisher, Okla. natural gas liquids and condensate facility. The combined purchase price is about $51 million.
Oklahoma Overtakes Texas as Most Attractive Jurisdiction for Investment
Friday, December 23, 2016
Oklahoma has beaten out Texas as the most attractive jurisdiction around the world for oil and gas investment, according to an annual global survey of petroleum sector executives by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think tank. The survey ranks 96 jurisdictions worldwide based on their barriers to investment—taxation, costly regulatory obligations, and uncertainty over environmental regulations—and on the volume of oil and gas reserves.
Pennsylvania School District Approves 52 New Propane-Powered School Buses
Thursday, December 22, 2016
EAST STROUDSBURG, Penn. (Dec. 22, 2016) — The East Stroudsburg Area School District in Pennsylvania will steer its transportation program in a new direction. School board officials on Monday approved the purchase of 52 propane-powered school buses and vans.

"We're moving to convert our bus fleet from diesel to propane," said district Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Bader on Tuesday. "It's a more environment-friendly fuel option that will save money down the road in service costs."
Pennsylvania School District Approves 52 New Propane-Powered School Buses
Thursday, December 22, 2016
EAST STROUDSBURG, Penn. (Dec. 22, 2016) — The East Stroudsburg Area School District in Pennsylvania will steer its transportation program in a new direction. School board officials on Monday approved the purchase of 52 propane-powered school buses and vans.

"We're moving to convert our bus fleet from diesel to propane," said district Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Bader on Tuesday. "It's a more environment-friendly fuel option that will save money down the road in service costs."
Scientific Evidence in Catalyst Study Confirms Hydraulic Fracturing Safety
Monday, December 19, 2016
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has released a new report by Catalyst Environmental Solutions showing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finding of no widespread effects to drinking water quality due to hydraulic fracturing operations is supported by state and federal regulatory reviews—and dozens of recent peer-reviewed case studies. API commissioned the report. It is available for review on the institute’s website, api.org.
ExxonMobil to Increase Beaumont Plant Capacity by 65%, Add More Than 1200 Permanent Jobs
Monday, December 19, 2016
ExxonMobil (Irving, Texas) will add a new production unit at its Beaumont, Texas polyethylene plant that will increase capacity by 65%, or by about 650,000 tonnes a year, to meet growing demand for high-performance plastics. Construction has begun at the plant, where current polyethylene production capacity is one million tonnes a year. Startup is expected in 2019.
Propane People In The News
Thursday, December 15, 2016
People EasonC. Michael Eason has joined the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC; Washington, D.C.) staff as director of budget and finance. He will replace Jim Harris, PERC’s CFO and vice president of administration for the past 11 years, who will retire at the end of 2016. Most recently, Eason was CFO at Intelligent Transportation Society of America.
Energy Distribution Partners Welcomes General Manager Jordan Landrum
Thursday, November 17, 2016
(November 17, 2016) Chicago, Illinois-based Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”) is pleased to announce that Jordan Landrum has joined the company as General Manager for Quality Propane in Burnsville and Kellogg, Minnesota. Having started his energy industry career with Ferrellgas in 2006, Landrum comes to EDP with more than 10 years of increasingly responsible operations and management experience in the propane and compressed gas businesses. Landrum graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision.
Propane People in the News
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
(Nov. 8, 2016) Lori Murawski has joined Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago) as a general manager for CMP Energy in Phillipsburg, Pa., and Robert Mitchell has joined as operations manager of CMP Energy, which was recently acquired by EDP. Murawski, a CPA, has been with CMP Energy since 2012, most recently as its CFO, where she led an experienced team of industry professionals, including Mitchell.
Navistar Extends Engine Supply Agreement with PSI Through 2021
Friday, October 28, 2016
Power Solutions International (PSI; Wood Dale, Ill.), a designer and manufacturer of emissions-certified alternative fuel power systems, said Oct. 19 that Navistar (Lisle, Ill.), parent company of IC Bus LLC, has extended its engine supply agreement with PSI to run through 2021. The agreement, originally set to run through 2018, covers PSI’s supply of 8.8-liter propane and gasoline engines for IC Bus.
Tecogen Developing Emissions Technology for Forklift Market
Friday, October 28, 2016
Tecogen Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) has been awarded a research grant from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to aid in its development of Ultera ultra-clean emissions control technology for the propane-powered fork truck market.
Energy Distribution Partners Buys Pennsylvania’s CMP Energy
Friday, October 28, 2016
CMP Energy, a privately owned company based in Philipsburg, Pa., has been acquired by Chicago-based Energy Distribution Partners (EDP). CMP Energy provides propane, fueloil, and HVAC services to about 8000 residential customers across central Pennsylvania. CMP Energy was founded by Robert Mitchell in 1954 as the Mitchell Oil Co. Mitchell’s son, Jeff Mitchell, took over the business in 1984 and his son, Robert Mitchell, continues to be involved in day-to-day operations.
IEA: Global Oil Supply Rises, While Demand Growth Slows
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Global oil supply rose by 0.6 MMbbld in September, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) October Oil Market Report. Non-OPEC supply was up nearly 0.5 MMbbld on higher Russian and Kazakh flows and OPEC supply was at an all-time high. World oil output of 97.2 MMbbld was up 0.2 MMbbld from last year due to strong OPEC growth. Non-OPEC supply is forecast to drop by 0.9 MMbbld in 2016 before rebounding by 0.4 MMbbld in 2017.
BATA Adds Cost-Efficient Propane Buses to Fleet
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Michigan’s Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) has added five propane-fueled vehicles to its fleet. BATA’s new propane-powered buses have multiple benefits that will help make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly and save on fuel and maintenance costs in the long run.