U.S. Crude Oil Storages Reported at 60% of Capacity
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Crude oil inventory data for the week ended Feb. 20 showed total utilization of storage capacity in the U.S. standing at about 60%, compared to 48% at the same time last year, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports. Most crude oil stocks are held in the Midwest and Gulf Coast, where storage tanks were at 60% and 56% of capacity, respectively, as of Feb. 20.
New DOE Energy Factor Standards Kick In April 16
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Beginning April 16 there will be significant changes to water heater energy factor (EF) require­ments as a result of updates to the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule for amended standards for residential water heaters on April 16, 2010, which become effective April 16, 2015. The 2015 DOE energy efficiency mandates will require higher EF ratings on virtually all residential gas, elec­tric, and oil-fired water heaters.
U.S. Representatives Introduce Alternative Fuel Tax Parity Act
Thursday, April 2, 2015
U.S. Reps. Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) have introduced the Alternative Fuel Tax Parity Act, H.R. 1665, legislation aimed at ensuring that excise taxes on LNG and propane for highway use are levied at a rate consistent with their energy output relative to diesel and gasoline, respec­tively.
Topping Off...
Friday, March 13, 2015
...The entire set of Propane Education & Research Council Safety Talks, designed to be a brief training tool to refresh or supplement, but not replace, formal train­ing, is available free for download on the Propane MaRC. Sessions, which include discussion topics and learning activities, can be presented in 10 to 15 minutes to keep employees sharp…
TransCanada Letter Refutes EPA Comments on Keystone Analysis
Friday, March 13, 2015
TransCanada Corp. (Calgary) has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State refuting assertions in a Feb. 2 letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the State Department’s final supplemental environmental impact statement (FSEIS) for the Keystone XL pipeline. “TransCanada disagrees with any suggestion that the Department of State has not fully and completely assessed the environmental impacts of Keystone XL,” said Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and CEO.
Additional Tax Could Stunt Job Growth in Pennsylvania
Friday, March 13, 2015
The executive director of the Associated Petro­leum Industries of Pennsylvania, a division of the Amer­ican Petroleum Institute, is criticizing newly elected Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget plan for including an additional severance tax on natural gas development in the Keystone State. Stephanie Catarino Wissman asserts that an additional severance tax will harm job growth and weaken the state’s economy.
Senators Introduce Bill to Repeal Ethanol Mandate
Friday, March 13, 2015
U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are working to repeal a law they assert drives up the cost of everything from gasoline to groceries. The Toomey-Feinstein Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015, introduced Feb. 26, abolishes the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Stan­dard (RFS).
EPA Approves Climate-Friendly LPG Refrigerants
Friday, March 13, 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing the options for refrigerants used in various kinds of refrigeration and air condition­ing equipment in the U.S. The final action addresses refrigerants under President Obama’s Climate Action Plan that calls on EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to identify and approve addi­tional climate-friendly chemicals.
Propane Council Approves Funds for Direct Injection
Friday, March 13, 2015
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), meeting via conference call Feb. 19, approved $600,000 in funding to pursue emissions certifica­tion for a direct-injection engine.
Environmentalists File Suit Against Propane Recovery
Friday, March 13, 2015
Environmentalists in California have filed a lawsuit against Contra Costa County over its February approval of a plan to increase propane recovery at Phillips 66’s Rodeo refinery. Communities for a Better Environ­ment (CBE) asserts the county’s environmental review did not take into account the broader impact of the project. The 78,000-bbld Rodeo refinery is located in the San Fran­cisco Bay area, and currently recovers no propane.
PERC Seeks Comments for Forklift Engine Development
Friday, March 13, 2015
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is soliciting comments on a proposed initiative that would provide $2 million in funding for forklift pro­pane engine development. Under Docket 20465, Power Solutions International (PSI; Wood Dale, Ill.) would develop and commercialize an advanced propane engine as a replacement to the Tier 4 diesel and electric models in the 3- to 6-ton fork truck market. PSI would contribute $3 million toward the $5-million project.
DEP Releases Revised Rules For Oil and Gas Well Sites
Friday, March 13, 2015
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) March 9 released the latest draft revisions to its environmental protection performance standards for oil and gas well sites, proposing amendments the agency describes as improving protection of water resources, adding public resources considerations, protecting public safety, addressing landowner concerns, and enhancing transparency and improving data management.
Alaska Senator Vows to Fight ‘Assault’ on State
Friday, March 13, 2015
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is asserting that President Obama and Interior secretary Sally Jewell have launched “an unprecedented assault” on Alaska that will have long-lasting effects on the state’s economy and the nation’s energy security. In coordination with the White House, Jewell recently outlined plans to lock up 22 million acres of Alaska’s energy-rich lands and waters.
Lehr Introduces 25-hp Liquid-Draw Outboard
Friday, March 13, 2015
Clean power company Lehr LLC (Los Angeles) unveiled its new 25-hp propane outboard to the boat­ing public recently at the 2015 Miami International Boat Show, bringing clean, efficient power to a range of boats that include pontoon craft, fiberglass and inflatable yacht tenders, rigid inflatable boats, aluminum fishing boats, small center-console skiffs, and other vessels. To accom­modate a range of boat styles and applications, the Lehr 25 is available in 15-in. and 20-in.
Vast Majority of Keystone XL Crude Would Be Used in U.S.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Most, if not all, crude oil that would be trans­ported on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast would not be exported, and the vast majority of refined product—about 70%—derived from it would be consumed in the U.S., according to a new report by IHS. The report, which analyzes the outlook for oil sands and other heavy crudes in North America, also says that the amount of oil sands flowing into the U.S.
U.S. Propane Inventories Decline 1.3 MMbbl
Friday, March 13, 2015
U.S. propane stocks the week ended March 6 fell by 1.3 MMbbl, according to the Energy Information Admin­istration (EIA) in its March 11 “This Week in Petroleum” report. As of then, inventories stood at 53.7 MMbbl, 27.7 MMbbl, or 106.2%, higher than a year ago. Midwest volumes gave up 2.5 MMbbl, the East Coast 0.3 MMbbl, and the Rocky Mountain/West Coast region 0.1 MMbbl. However, Gulf Coast supplies gained 1.5 MMbbl, according to EIA.
Bi-Fuel Conversion Featured at NTEA Work Truck Show
Friday, March 13, 2015
Alliance AutoGas is rolling out a bi-fuel autogas Ford Interceptor, a popular vehicle option for law enforce­ment. The Ford Interceptor joins a diverse offering of EPA-certified vehicles to police agencies by Alliance AutoGas that includes the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Crown Victoria, and F-150 pickup.
Port Commissioners Reject Haven Energy Export Terminal
Friday, March 13, 2015
Port of Longview, Wash. commissioners March 10 unanimously rejected a proposed export termi­nal project by Sage Midstream (Houston) subsidiary Haven Energy. Two of the three commissioners said they would support the project, but not at the pro­posed 24-acre site near the port’s Berth 4. Yet another said his no vote was a matter of trust. It was not imme­diately clear whether the vote killed the project, but that seems likely.
Spot Propane Continues Slide Lower
Friday, March 13, 2015
Spot propane at Mont Belvieu and Conway, Kan. lost additional value Thursday, March 12, building on the March slide that has seen Texas and Mid­west spots each shed about 6 cents. Market watchers note warming tem­peratures are weighing on propane and crude oil prices, although weather forecasters were calling for yet another surge of cold air to sweep the Mid­west and Northeast. Additional episodes of unseasonably cold conditions were also expected into April.
Texas Representative Leads Drive to End Oil Export Ban
Friday, March 13, 2015
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), leading a group of a dozen lawmakers, has introduced H.R. 702, which would remove all restrictions on the export of crude oil from the U.S. The sponsors note that growing domestic production from shale reservoirs has made the nation the largest oil producer in the world, but laws governing export of the resource are nearly 40 years old.
San Joaquin Valley Farm Saves Money With Propane
Friday, March 13, 2015
Steve Maddox, a third-generation farmer and gen­eral partner of the 8000-acre Maddox Farms in Riverside, Calif., reports that his two-year-long trial of a dual-fuel retrofit system for irrigation engines has saved him about $15,000 a year.
COMMENTARY: Deep Discounts
Friday, March 13, 2015
Building on more modest moves lower early in the week, Thursday, March 12 saw principal postings shed additional value. Prices gave up a minimum of 1.5 cents but as much as 12.5 cents compared to the Monday email Update, with losses of a nickel and more common. Early-week discounts were in a range of a half cent to 4.5 cents.