Home Heating Costs Cut By Weather, Low Oil Prices
Friday, January 29, 2016
A combination of warmer-than-expected temperatures and lower-than-expected oil prices have contributed to a reduction in forecast average heating expenditures this winter compared to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) forecast in its October 2015 “Winter Fuels Outlook.” Winter 2015-2016, October through March, was initially expected to have lower temperatures than winter 2014-2015.
NFIB Laments President’s Veto of Employer Mandate
Friday, January 15, 2016
The National Federation of Independent business (NFIB) is disputing President Obama’s claim that the Affordable Care Act represents progress, while lamenting his decision to veto a bill that would have repealed some of the most painful provisions of the act. NFIB noted that the president’s veto “was as predictable as the sunrise, but regrettable nevertheless.”
Nebraska Clean Motor Fuel Rebate Program Is Under Way
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Nebraska Propane Gas Association reports that the Nebraska Clean-Burning Motor Fuel Development Rebate Program has launched, making available rebates for conversions, new vehicle purchases, and fuel dispensing equipment. The rebate program is funded under Legislative Bill 581 passed by the state’s nonpartisan, unicameral legislature in May 2015. The Nebraska Energy Office is tasked with administering the program.
GPA Questions Costs of PHMSA Proposed Rule
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Gas Processors Association (GPA) has filed comments with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on its proposed rule on the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines. GPA’s comments specifically highlighted that the proposed rule’s $22-million estimated cost is grossly underestimated.
November Propane Exports Up 59.2% Year on Year
Friday, January 15, 2016
Propane exports from the U.S. in November stood at 20,271,600 bbl, according to the Department of Commerce (DOC), 5.1%, or 976,537 bbl, higher than the October total and marking a sharp 59.2%, or 7,541,704 bbl, gain from a year earlier when exports were at 12,729,896 bbl. Meanwhile, November propane imports, at 3,927,146 bbl, were down 8.5%, or 363,435 bbl, from October but up 19.5%, or 640,221 bbl, for the year.
Retaining Restart Suspension Provides Benefit for Trucking
Friday, January 15, 2016
Leaders of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) have thanked the U.S. Congress for recognizing the harm done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) 2013 hours-of-service restart restrictions and requiring the agency to meet an appropriate safety, driver health, and driver longevity standard before re-imposing those restrictions.
Propane Industry's People on the Move
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Hawaii Gas (Honolulu) has named Kyle Ginoza as general manager of its Maui operations, with responsibility for overseeing all activities on Maui. This includes propane supply and distribution, new gas service installation, customer service, and pipeline operations and maintenance.
Uncertainty for propane MLPs tax status and motor fuel tax incentives
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
By Joe Colaneri . . .

Paul Ryan’s new House speakership promises to challenge the propane industry politically as it hasn’t been challenged by any speaker, Democrat or Republican, in a generation. The leadership changes on Capitol Hill will bring a new sense of urgency to the policy debates and all but guarantee that tax reform will be a top agenda item in this and the next Congress or until it is enacted.

Speaker Ryan Will Challenge the Political Status Quo
CB&I Awarded Contract for China Dehydrogenation Plant
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
China-based Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery has awarded a contract to Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. (CB&I; The Woodlands, Texas) to use its Catofin catalytic dehydrogenation technology for a new propane and butane dehydrogenation plant to be constructed in Dalian, Liaoning Province.
Up to $1 Million Per Well at Stake in Colorado Drilling Case
Friday, January 8, 2016
The energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie reports that as the Colorado Supreme Court considers a case on whether state or local governments have the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing, from $750,000 to $1 million per well in potential tax benefit could be lost to the state, with more than $3 million per well foregone in overall energy development spending.
PHMSA Withdraws Proposal for Wet Lines on DOT Tanker Trucks
Friday, January 8, 2016
Complying with a provision in the new highway bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has withdrawn a notice of proposed rulemaking that would have amended hazardous materials regulations regarding the transportation of flammable liquid material in unprotected external product piping, commonly known as wet lines.
FAST Act Advances Key Trucking Industry Priorities
Friday, January 8, 2016
Leaders of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) are praising the U.S. House and Senate for coming together on a long-term highway funding bill that advances the cause of trucking safety and efficiency. Signed into law by President Obama Dec.
Export Terminal and Pipeline Expansions Finished, Oil to Ship
Friday, January 8, 2016
Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) has completed the final phase of its Houston Ship Channel LPG export terminal expansion, completed construction and initiated operation of the remaining leg of the Aegis pipeline, and has agreed to provide pipeline and marine terminal services to load an export of U.S.-produced crude oil. The LPG terminal expansion is among $7.8 billion in capital growth projects Enterprise expects to complete and bring into service by the end of 2017.
TransCanada Commences Legal Actions on Keystone XL Denial
Thursday, January 7, 2016
TransCanada Corp. (Calgary) Jan. 6 filed a notice of intent to initiate a claim under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in response to the Obama administration’s decision to deny a Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on the basis that the denial was arbitrary and unjustified. In addition, TransCanada has filed a lawsuit in the U.S.
GPA-Supported Legislation Signed Into Law with Federal Highway Bill
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The Gas Processors Association (GPA) reports it secured a legislative victory when President Obama signed into law the federal highway bill, H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act. GPA joined with a coalition of trade associations to support two separate permit streamlining bills, H.R. 348, the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act and S. 280, the Federal Permitting Improvement Act of 2015.
Suburban Acquires Independent South Florida Propane Retailer
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Suburban Propane Partners LP (Whippany, N.J.) has acquired Propane USA, a propane marketer with headquarters in Margate Fla., and its affiliate companies for a reported $45 million. The purchase was funded entirely from cash on hand. Propane USA will add about 7600 residential and commercial customers to Suburban Propane and about 4.7 MMgal. of retail propane sales to the partnership’s Florida operations.
AltaGas Advances Plan to Develop Export Terminal
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
AltaGas Ltd. (Calgary) has entered into a definitive project agreement for the development of a propane export facility in British Columbia. The company reports it is negotiating formal agreements and working on consultations with First Nations and stakeholders to commence the regulatory and permitting process for the export terminal, a facility that will be designed to initially ship 1.2 million tonnes a year.
PERC Announces New Sales Training Program & Other Expenditures
Monday, December 28, 2015
WASHINGTON (December 21, 2015) - The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), announced via a conference call meeting Dec. 11 that it had approved $665,000 for the 2016 Marketer Technology and Sales Training Program for an estimated 60 classes to give marketers information and techniques that they can use to drive new demand for propane in traditional and emerging markets.
PERC logo
PERC Selects Dallas Agency for Consumer Marketing Campaign
Monday, December 21, 2015
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has selected The Richards Group (Dallas) as the agency for its multimillion-dollar consumer education campaign that will roll out in 2016. The Richards Group will assist PERC in carrying out an integrated campaign designed to persuade existing propane customers to buy additional propane-fueled equipment and prospective customers to switch to propane for a variety of applications in the home, including space heating, water heating, cooking, clothes drying, and fireplaces.
FMCSA Releases Final Rule Mandating Use of Electronic Logs
Monday, December 21, 2015
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released its final rule mandating the use of electronic logs. The regulation was published in the Federal Register Dec. 16. This started the clock on a two-year compliance deadline which will make the devices mandatory beginning December 2017, notes Land Line magazine, a publication of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
Phillips 66 Starts Operations At Sweeny Fractionator One
Monday, December 21, 2015
Phillips 66 (Houston) has begun operations at its new 100,000-bbld NGL fractionator located at the company’s Sweeny Complex in Old Ocean, Texas. Sweeny Fractionator One supplies purity ethane and other liquefied petroleum gases to the petrochemical industry and heating markets. It is supported by 250 miles of new pipelines and a multimillion-barrel storage cavern complex.
Alliance AutoGas Pursues CARB Certification for 2016 Ford Transit
Monday, December 21, 2015
Alliance AutoGas is pursuing a California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification for the 2016 Ford Transit, commenting that official Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing has demonstrated a 13% reduction in CO2 and a 33% reduction in methane emissions. EPA has identified these as the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.