In the November issue of The Blue Flame Pilot: LP Gas Suppliers Guide | PERC's 2018 plans | NPGA addresses membership issues

THE PROPANE INDUSTRY’S PREMIER INFORMATION SOURCE  •  NOVEMBER 2017 ENEWS ARCHIVE

GET SOCIAL CURRENT ISSUE PROPANE SUPPLY Days of supply: The United States began the 2017-18 winter heating season with 41 days of supply. IHS Markit defines days of supply as inventory at month’s end, divided by demand plus exports. Here’s what IHS Markit considers normal and critical: U.S. normal: 40-55 U.S. critical: Less than 20 PADD 1 (East Coast) critical: Less than 8 PADD 2 (Midwest) critical: Less than 18 PADD 3 (Gulf Coast) critical: Less than 19 PADD 4 (Rocky Mountain) critical: Less than 12 PADD 5 (West Coast) critical: Less than 5 EVENTS International Builders’ Show Jan. 9-11, 2018 Orlando, Florida Argus Americas LPG Summit Jan. 16-18 Houston NPGA Benchmarking Council Meeting Groups A-F Jan. 18-19 West Palm Beach, Florida NPGA Benchmarking Council Meeting Groups G-L Jan. 25-26 West Palm Beach, Florida NPGA Board of Directors Meeting Feb. 11-13 Santa Barbara, California IN THE LEAD LP Gas Propane Suppliers Guide Following two mild winters, propane suppliers are urging retailers to prepare for anything going into the heating season. Complacency on the part of retailers could leave them in a pinch, especially with increased demand for propane. With that in mind, check out our annual guide of top wholesale propane suppliers. [ read more ] Railcar logistics update heading into the heating season Industry leaders at the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Propane Supply and Logistics Committee meeting in October shared concerns about propane railcar availability heading into the heating season. The committee formed a task force that met with rail carrier CSX about customer service issues and the importance of propane shipments. The Northwest experienced a shortage of railcars last winter, and as the industry continues to rely more on rail, it sees a need to address shortcomings in the system. MORE ON SUPPLY • Read about DCP Midstream's plans to import propane on the East Coast A CLOSER LOOK BROUGHT TO YOU BY LERAN [ In memorium ] A Propane Profile: Lakes Gas Co.’s Howard Sargeant In 1959, Howard Sargeant purchased his first heating oil and propane business. Learn how Sargeant, who died in October, grew Lakes Gas into the 15th-largest propane company in the United States. [ read more ] NEWS latest headlines from LPGASMAGAZINE.COM PERC addresses changes, sets plans, programs for 2018 In his second meeting as president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), Tucker Perkins urged propane retailers to consider the prospect of change in their marketing processes. See where PERC is at with these changes. [ read more ] READ OTHER UPDATES • NGL Energy Partners to sell certain retail operations to DCC LPG • West Texas LPG system to expand into Delaware Basin • PERC announces leadership award recipients • Women in Propane, LPG install new leadership • WESROC promotes propane industry veteran to COO • Propane vehicle grant program intends to issue second round of funding • Blue Cow Software expands to Florida, Nevada INDUSTRY VOICES NPGA addresses membership issues at fall board meeting Industry leaders met at NPGA’s fall board meeting, where two issues in particular were addressed: minimum membership standards and the association's state affiliation agreement. [ read more ] PRODUCT SHOWCASE view more at LPGASMAGAZINE.COM/PRODUCTS Rail loading arm features fewer moving parts Westmor Industries released rail loading arms for LP gas and NH3 fuel transfer. Find out how the features of the arms allow for higher capacity flow rates and low maintenance. [ read more ] LP GAS VIDEO SPOTLIGHT 1st Choice Energy Services’ approach to propane supply planning, serving customers 1st Choice Energy Services’ Eric Leindecker offers a closer look at the propane needs of farmers and how the company ensures customers are supplied with propane throughout the season. [ watch video now ] LP GAS HALL OF FAME LP Gas Hall of Fame: Save the date LP Gas is close to announcing the 2018 class of the Hall of Fame. Save the date for April 5 at The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Atlanta and stay tuned for ticket information. [ visit the LP Gas Hall of Fame website ] FROM THE MAGAZINE → Making use of a variety of propane technology → Company increases cylinder exchange efforts → Propane industry growth prospects → Propane's role in hurricane relief efforts