Detroit Radiant Products Co.’s ACS Series high-intensity radiant gas brooder acts as a fuel-efficient source of warmth for poultry houses. The brooder’s infrared heat warms the floors and birds for optimal start and energy savings. The ACS Series high-intensity radiant gas brooder features potted ignition control to protect components from humid and dusty environments. Stainless steel burners and emitter surfaces... read more
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has selected The Richards Group of Dallas to lead a multimillion-dollar consumer education campaign that will launch next year. The firm’s task is to design a campaign that will persuade existing propane customers to buy additional propane-fueled equipment, PERC says. The campaign will also introduce prospective propane customers to a variety of in-home... read more
In last week’s Trader’s Corner, we looked at the propane inventory information released in the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Weekly Petroleum Status Report. As we pointed out, domestic demand for propane is an implied number derived after EIA receives reports on propane imports, production and inventory changes and estimates exports. Over the last two weeks, U.S. propane inventories have fallen... read more
President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) into law Dec. 4. The five-year, $305 billion highway bill addresses some issues that affect the propane industry. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) helped lobby to pass the FAST Act. The inclusion of propane vehicles in a provision providing for alternative fuel refueling corridors was a victory for... read more
2015 LP Gas Growth Summit attendees, including Mark Zimora of Energy Distribution Partners; Randy Sams of Sams Gas; and Mike Hayden of Co-Alliance, discuss threats to their retail propane businesses. Can you relate? read more
Ford released the 2016 F-150, which can run on propane autogas or compressed natural gas (CNG). The first model rolled off the line in Kansas City, Mo. The truck features a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine, offering a gaseous-fuel prep option. When equipped with a bi-fuel engine package, the 2016 Ford F-150 can achieve more than 750 miles on the combined... read more
Pump Solutions Group (PSG) named Bob Lauson as its general manager for PSG’s Grand Rapids, Mich., operations. Lauson will be responsible for leading the Grand Rapids organization and the Blackmer brand of positive displacement pumps, centrifugal pumps and compressors for the transfer of liquid and gas products. He will report directly to PSG President Karl Buscher. Previously, Lauson worked as... read more
Like ninjas, Propane Ninja emerged swiftly in the propane industry two years ago. Mike Dodd and Peter Samuelson, co-owners of the company, had no experience in the propane industry as they launched their propane cylinder delivery service in Bradenton, Fla. But they both had entrepreneurial experience. The two realized there was a need for propane cylinder delivery services to heat... read more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Ferrellgas, parent company of Blue Rhino, signed a settlement related to a July 2013 incident in which employees were injured during a fire at a propane tank refurbishing facility in Taveras, Fla. Blue Rhino agreed to pay penalties totaling $52,000, according to OSHA. The agreement also requires Blue Rhino to complete the... read more
Propane and heating oil prices have decreased this year compared to this time last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) State Heating Oil and Propane Program (SHOPP). SHOPP collects state-level residential propane and heating oil price data in 38 states during the winter heating season. The program is a joint effort between EIA and state energy offices in... read more
