The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) heard a detailed presentation from The Richards Group about the industry’s new consumer education campaign, officially approving the $10 million project during a Feb. 18 meeting in Dallas. PERC scheduled the meeting specifically for council members to hear from the Dallas firm chosen to lead the industry’s first consumer-driven program in more than... read more
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) awarded Student Transportation of America Inc. (STA), a subsidiary of Student Transportation Inc. (STI), a five-year contract beginning July 1. The contract calls for a fleet of 68 new propane-powered, wheelchair-lift-equipped buses that will operate from a new location within LAUSD boundaries. According to STI, the contract adds about $10.5 million in annual... read more
U.S. propane inventory soared to an all-time high of 106 million barrels heading into the winter heating season, but ramped-up export capacity this year will create the potential for quick drawdowns moving forward, says an energy official at IHS. “Even though inventory looks high, we’re in a market where the relief valve is a lot quicker with additional export capacity,”... read more
Flexible gas piping, often referred to as CSST for its base material composition of corrugated stainless steel tubing, has gone through significant product construction changes for the U.S. market. Gas fitters have installed flexible gas piping systems in the U.S. for about the last 25 years. The flexible steel piping is sold in coils, typically 250 feet in length. Mechanical... read more
Revised propane container labeling requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have caused some industry confusion. read more
Bergquist Inc. plans to showcase Excela-Flange bobtail products from Marshall Excelsior Co. at Booth 1327 during the NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo in Nashville, Tenn. The Excela-Flange line is a comprehensive system of truck and plant valves that incorporates a 4-bolt flange on the inlet, the outlet or both of the most commonly used Marshall Excelsior tank and... read more
UGI Energy Services President Bradley C. Hall plans to retire after a 34-year career with the company. read more
In last week’s Trader’s Corner, we looked at the sharp two-week fall in U.S. propane inventory. For the week ending Feb. 5, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 3.288-million-barrel draw on inventory, well above the 2.329-million-barrel, five-year-average draw for the fifth week of the year. For the three-week period ending Feb. 5, U.S. propane inventory was down 15.145 million... read more
When we understand how choices impact chance, we can control our experience. As I wind up my 43rd year of providing insurance and safety services for the propane industry, I occasionally reflect on my experience. I highly recommend that other boomers who forget how much we have learned along the way do the same. Books and e-learning are great tools,... read more
