Industry leaders share what the propane industry can learn from winter 2026

April 14, 2026 By LP Gas 0 Comments

What lessons can the propane industry take away from this past winter as it shifts its focus to the coming months?

“Always make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Have a plan before winter that protects your margins and your customers.”

– Dan Richardson, President & CEO, Conger LP Gas, Tifton, Georgia

Jaenicke

“In many parts of the country, this cold and snowy winter proved that propane business planning and preparation are essential in satisfying customer energy needs. Those propane marketers with a solid supply plan, well maintained delivery fleet and trained work team made propane a reliable energy choice for consumers this winter. Reliability has become a serious challenge for grid electricity, while propane becomes the dependable choice.”

– Tom Jaenicke, Propane Specialist, ATomiK Creative Solutions, Charlevoix, Michigan

“Consistent training and refresher courses are essential to operational readiness, no matter the season. By fully leveraging training tools and resources, like PERC’s PEP, we can continue to strengthen safety performance and better protect our employees and customers.”

– Michelle Bimson Maggi, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Ferrellgas, Liberty, Missouri

“This winter showed the propane industry that having plenty of supply is both good and bad. It keeps prices low and profits steady, but when you combine mild weather with full storage tanks, companies need to stay sharp. Things like budget payment plans and staying ahead of deliveries helped companies stand out from competitors and keep customers happy when people weren’t using as much propane as usual.”

– Dustin Delay, Vice President, Cost Management Solutions, Houston, Texas

“Most members performed well this season; however, supply runouts and sensationalized media coverage dominated public discourse, and the resulting advocacy implications will likely be significant. Industry associations worked extensively throughout the season to secure a record number of hours-of-service waivers and to collaborate with state energy offices and attorneys general to address customer complaints. Ensuring adequate staffing levels and maintaining access to multiple supply points remain critical to supporting reliable service and mitigating future disruptions.”

– Leslie Anderson, President & CEO, Propane Gas Association of New England, Portland, Maine