LP Gas webinar: Seize autogas opportunities

Converting the company fleet to propane autogas is one way propane marketers spread awareness of the fuel and market its benefits to the public. (Photo by LP Gas staff)

Propane professionals interested in growing autogas gallons tuned into a webinar LP Gas hosted with CHS Inc. titled, “Can propane autogas revolutionize your business?”

Mark Porth, senior account manager at CHS, and Stephen Southward, CEO of Cleveland Petroleum Products, discussed the importance of autogas and how it aligns with their eight pillars of growth.

They were joined by Luke Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Missouri Propane Gas Association and Missouri Propane Education & Research Council (MOPERC), who shared how he is taking a creative approach to help marketers grow their autogas gallons.

Their conversation focused on expanding propane autogas demand through business development, partnerships and infrastructure investments.

The webinar covered:

• How Cleveland Petroleum doubled its autogas gallons and plans to do it again.
• How MOPERC invested $100,000 in a propane-powered paratransit shuttle and mobile dispensing trailers to demonstrate the effectiveness of autogas and spike interest in propane.
• The importance of leveraging state and local legislatures to fund and promote autogas infrastructure.
• Why building autogas infrastructure is key in meeting customers’ needs.
• How state associations can help advocate for autogas by promoting low-emission school buses, raising awareness of propane’s various uses and pioneering incentives for converting fleets to propane.
• The importance of consistent demand year-round.
• The importance of being on the cutting edge.
• Diversifying into commercial areas.
• The environmental benefits of propane, including its clean emissions and potential for federal incentives.
• Various rebates and tax incentives available for autogas infrastructure and the availability of multiple funding sources for autogas infrastructure.
• A goal to increase autogas use and infrastructure in Missouri by achieving 27 fueling stations in the state by 2027.

Speakers:

Mark Porth, senior account manager at CHS

Porth is a 37-year veteran in the propane industry. As a senior account manager for CHS, he is responsible for the territory of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and a portion of New Mexico. Porth leads CHS efforts to work with related industries to grow propane autogas demand through business development and outreach.

Stephen Southward, CEO of Cleveland Petroleum Products

Southward is CEO of Cleveland Petroleum Products, an energy company with a customer base of 38,000 across Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. One of Southward’s notable achievements is securing a contract with UPS to service 250 vehicles across Oklahoma using propane as motor fuel.

Luke Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Missouri Propane Gas Association and Missouri Propane Education & Research Council

Fitzpatrick is the president and CEO of the Missouri Propane Gas Association and Missouri Propane Education & Research Council (MOPERC). He is the primary contact for MOPERC’s Autogas Advantage vehicle demonstration program and works to advance the industry’s innovation and market development efforts.