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.
Crude Oil’s Woes are Global
Friday, November 13, 2015
ExxonMobil (Irving, Texas) and Chevron (San Ramon, Calif.), the two largest U.S. oil and gas groups, have just reported big declines in third-quarter profits because of plunging crude oil prices. However, their earnings exceeded analysts’ expectations. Overall, of the two companies Chevron was affected to a greater extent. Chevron stated that it was cutting capital expenditures and operating costs, and would lose between 6000 and 7000 jobs from
Mid-Month to Mid-Month: November Gains, Losses
Friday, November 13, 2015
Amongst the gloom over stubbornly depressed energy commodity prices, the accompanying loss of tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, and the Obama administration’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, there was some good
September Propane Exports Jump 13.9% from August
Friday, November 13, 2015
Propane exports from the U.S. in September reached 21,069,465 bbl, according to the Department of Commerce (DOC). Those volumes were up 13.9%, or 2,571,268 bbl, over the August total. Compared to September 2014, exports soared 53.5%, and rose 7,343,560 bbl year on year. Propane imports, at 3,245,923 bbl in September, were 5.6%, or 171,187 bbl, higher for the month and up 3.5%, or 110,107 bbl, for the year.
Enterprise Signs Additional Ethane Export Agreement
Friday, November 13, 2015
Enterprise Products Partners LP said Nov. 9 it had executed an additional long-term contract to export ethane from its new terminal under construction at Morgan’s Point, Texas. With the additional volumes, Enterprise’s 200,000-bbld ethane export terminal is now about 90% contracted in terms of operating capacity.
Maryland’s First Propane Bus Arrives in Anne Arundel County
Friday, November 13, 2015
Anne Arundel County students have boarded the first school bus fueled by propane autogas in Maryland. The Blue Bird Vision vehicle, from Jubb’s Bus Service Inc., went into operation for the 2015-2016 school year. The Type C bus, equipped with a Ford 6.8-liter, V-10 engine and a Roush CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) fuel system, replaces an older diesel model.
Williams Moves Forward with PDH Plant Project in Alberta
Friday, November 13, 2015
Plant Project in Alberta Williams Cos. (Tulsa) said Oct. 28 it was proceeding to the next phase of development for its planned propane dehydrogenation (PDH) facility near Edmonton, Alta., Canada. The plant will have a capacity of 525 kilotons per annum (KTA) of polymergrade propylene production and will use low-cost, locally sourced propane as its feedstock.
Indiana Schools Receive Grants For Propane Bus Purchases
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) Nov. 5 said seven state public school corporations will receive $275,430 from its 2015 Indiana Propane School Bus grant program. The grants are the first from OED for propane-fueled school buses.
House Passes Transportation Bill with Alt Fuel Provision
Friday, November 13, 2015
The U.S. House of Representatives in a 363-64 vote has passed a six-year, $325-billion transportation bill. The legislation includes an amendment by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) ensuring states have the discretion to identify the most cost effective emission-reduction technologies, including alternative fuel vehicles. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) cosponsored the amendment.
Alkane Truck Company’s Alternative Propane Powered Class 7 Cab-Over Truck Finalizes D.O.T. Compliance Testing
Friday, November 13, 2015
Myrtle Beach based Alkane Truck Company, Inc. has completed compliance to the United States Department of Transportation standards and regulations. Alkane will begin assembly operations in early 2016 for their Class 7 Cab-Over truck as the sole source for a cab-over truck powered with LPG or CNG in the 26,000 GVW and 33,000 GVW weight classes in North America.
Alkane Propane Class7 Cab Over Truck
Alliance AutoGas Recognized for Transportation Emission Reduction Efforts
Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Alliance AutoGas recently won the 2015 Mobile CARE Award from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. Mike Phillips received the award on behalf of Alliance AutoGas from Nick Tennyson, NC DOT Chief Deputy Secretary. Businesses that support the expansion of advanced transportation technology, including producers, marketers, and distributors of alternative fuel vehicles, vehicle components, fuel and related refueling equipment, were eligible for this award.

Worthington Acquires Trilogy’s CNG Fuel System Technology
Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Worthington Industries, Inc. recently announced that its Pressure Cylinders segment has acquired certain assets of Trilogy Engineered Solutions, a leader in compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems for heavy duty trucks.

Winnebago Recalling Certain RVs Due to Potential Leak
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Winnebago Industries Inc. (Forest City, Iowa) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Era, Travato, View, Trend, Via, Journey, and Tour motorhomes, as well as Itasca Navion, Viva, Reyo, Meridian, and Elipse models manufactured between June 26, 2012 and August 26, 2015. The propane hose may harden, resulting in a leak at the crimp fitting.
Surface Operations, Not Wells, Account for Compound Count
Thursday, November 5, 2015
A Yale University-led investigation found no evidence that trace organic compound contamination in drinking water wells near the Marcellus Shale in northeastern Pennsylvania came from deep hydraulic fracturing, underground storage tanks, well casing failures, or surface waste containment points.
Spot Propane Ends Week Still Higher, Crude Slumps
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Spot propane climbed still higher Thursday to hold on to the gains seen over the previous week. Midwest spots rose another 1.125 cents to post a gain of 3.75 cents in a week’s time, while Texas trading climbed 3.5 cents over the period. Meanwhile, the spread between Mont Belvieu and Conway, Kan. has drawn to a narrow 2 to 3 cents. The late-week commodity price strengthening came despite crude oil futures dropping to their lowest settlement since late October, well below $46/bbl.