NAHB: Housing Construction Increases 4.1% in October
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Permits to build new homes increased 4.1% in October to a level of 1.15 million per year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Both single-family and multifamily levels increased, by 2.4% and 6.8%, respectively. Year over year, total permits were up 11.9%, with single-family 8.6% higher and multifamily increasing 17.2% as the housing market continues its modest pace of recovery.
NPGA Participates in Fueling Standards Meeting
Thursday, December 3, 2015
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) technical staff participated via teleconference in a recent meeting held in the Netherlands tasked with developing an international standard for LP-gas vehicle refueling connectors. The working group meeting was under the auspices of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Port Commissioners Approve Sea-3 Propane Rail Facility
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Sea-3 of Florida Inc. has received approval from the Tampa Port Authority to amend its lease agreement and expand its propane operations to have the capability to import and export propane from its terminal facility. Commissioners approved Sea-3’s application to build a rail facility to serve its 12.4-acre site at the port, as well as extend rail track on an adjacent property.
Business Council Expresses Support for Storage Project
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, has sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in support of Crestwood Equity Partners’ (Houston) proposed Finger Lakes LPG storage project, commenting that the facility would bring jobs and tax revenue to Upstate communities and urging the governor to approve project permits.
Tax Extenders Get Big Push From Bipartisan Congressional Coalition
Thursday, December 3, 2015
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reported that a bipartisan letter signed by 36 members of the House was sent to House Speaker Paul Ryan on Nov. 30, 2015, urging Ryan to "work towards a multiyear or permanent extension of the expiring tax and expensing provisions, more commonly known as 'extenders'."
Congress dome
Safety Advisory Issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Thursday, December 3, 2015
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a safety advisory for improperly installed emergency discharge control equipment on cargo tank motor vehicles in metered delivery service. Improperly installed emergency discharge control equipment may result in total power loss of the cargo tank, including steering and braking failures.
Study: Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Benefits Farmers
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Approval of proposed natural gas pipeline projects is in the best interest of Ohio and Michigan agriculture, asserts new analysis commissioned by the Ohio State Grange. The study found that increased access to natural gas can benefit farmers by reducing the cost of fertilizer, providing cheaper fuel for farm machinery, and stabilizing the price of electricity.
DEP Releases Recommendations For Gas Pipeline Build-Out
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has released the first draft of a Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force report and has opened public comment for 30 days. The draft report contains the first recommendations of the task force formed by Gov. Tom Wolf. Its chairman is DEP secretary John Quigley.
Crestwood Hosts Pig Roast To Celebrate New Terminal
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Kansas City, Mo.-based Crestwood Midstream hosted a pig roast Nov. 5 to introduce North Carolina propane and NGL marketers to its new rail facility being developed in Rose Hill. The new terminal is scheduled to open for business early next year. About 60 guests attended the event, which included propane marketers from across the state as well as the local police chief and fire chief and representatives of the North Carolina Propane Gas Association.
Linde North America Opens Retail Hydrogen Fueling Station
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Linde North America Inc. (Murray Hill, N.J.) has opened its second retail hydrogen fueling station for fuel cell automobiles in California. The new station is located in San Juan Capistrano. The California Energy Commission provided support for the project through its Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program.
Alliance AutoGas Recognized For Emission Reduction Efforts
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Alliance AutoGas has won the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center’s 2015 Mobile CARE Fuel Provider award. Mike Phillips, municipal and law enforcement specialist, received the award on behalf of Alliance AutoGas from Nick Tennyson, North Carolina Department of Transportation chief deputy secretary.
Technology to Boost Energy Supplies, Lower-Carbon Future
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Advances in technology will keep energy supplies plentiful and affordable—enough to meet projected demand many times over—and help pave the way to a lower-carbon energy mix, according to data published Nov. 2 in the BP Technology Outlook.
BLM Approves First Federal Production Well in NPR-A
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved a drilling permit and has offered a right of way for the proposed Greater Mooses Tooth Unit oil and gas development project, opening the way for the first production of oil and gas from federal land in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). Nearly the size of Indiana, NPR-A, located on Alaska’s North Slope, is the largest single block of federally managed land in the U.S.
ExxonMobil: Climate Research Stories ‘Deliberately Misleading’
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
ExxonMobil Corp. (Irving, Texas) asserts that media and environmental activists’ allegations about the company’s climate research are inaccurate and deliberately misleading. The allegations were contained in reports distributed by InsideClimate News, an anti-oil and gas activist organization, and the Los Angeles Times, prompting political attacks by U.S. Sen. and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Reps.
PERC Approves 2016 Budget; Will Begin Consumer Campaign
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has approved a $47.6-million budget for 2016 that will fund a consumer education campaign, safety and training programs, and ongoing development of propane-fueled products aimed at driving new demand for propane. The council’s consumer education authority was restored this year after a six-year restriction triggered by a Department of Commerce price analysis in 2009.
North Dakota Senator Seeks Export Measure in Highway Bill
Thursday, November 19, 2015
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) is working to attach a measure that would lift the ban on U.S. crude oil exports to the new highway bill scheduled to pass Congress this month. Hoeven addressed a gathering of oil industry leaders Nov. 16, telling them that lifting the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude would be good for consumers, good for the Bakken, and good for the country.
Meritum Energy Acquires Pico Petroleum in Texas
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Meritum Energy Holdings LP (San Antonio, Texas) has acquired Pico Petroleum, a propane and fuel distribution business in South Texas. Details regarding the transaction were not released. Pico Petroleum has a broad operating footprint in the region and a diverse customer mix throughout the area where it distributes propane, gasoline, diesel, oils, and lubricants.
API Advocates Market-Driven Approach for Climate Challenges
Thursday, November 19, 2015
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is urging policymakers to use the proven results of America’s market-driven model for addressing climate challenges during the upcoming climate summit in Paris. “America’s private sector has already taken the lead on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even as we increase economic activity and domestic energy production to keep energy reliable and affordable for consumers,” said API president and CEO Jack Gerard.
Spot Propane Edges Up, Crude Continues Slump
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Spot propane at Mont Belvieu and Conway, Kan. edged higher Thursday, Nov. 19, compared to the Monday email Update, with the Texas trading hub mid-morning posting 1.5- to 1.625-cent gains and the Midwest improving by nearly a penny. The moves up reversed a previous week of losses that saw the markets shed about a nickel. Market watchers noted that winter was providing little support as relative warmth in most regions has kept demand low, pressuring prices.
People News, State Association Officer Announcements
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Bergquist Inc. (Toledo, Ohio)... William (Butch) Reabold has joined Bergquist Inc. (Toledo, Ohio) as area sales manager for New York and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Eastern Propane Gas Inc. (Rochester, N.H.)...
ExxonMobil: Climate Research Stores ‘Deliberately Misleading’
Monday, November 16, 2015
ExxonMobil Corp. (Irving, Texas) asserts that media and environmental activists’ allegations about the company’s climate research are inaccurate and deliberately misleading. The allegations were contained in reports distributed by InsideClimate News, an anti-oil and gas activist organization, and the Los Angeles Times, prompting political attacks by U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Reps.
Enterprise Signs Additional Contracts for LPG Exports
Monday, November 16, 2015
Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) said Nov. 16 it had approved additional long-term contracts with customers to export about 125 MMbbl of LPG over a seven-year period from its terminal on the Houston Ship Channel. Enterprise’s LPG export facility, including the volumes associated with the most recent agreements, is now more than 90% subscribed through 2019 in terms of estimated operating capacity.