Propane Personality: Leslie Anderson

Leslie Anderson
President & CEO of the Propane Gas Association of New England (PGANE)

Education

South Texas College of Law
Juris Doctor, Class of 2000

University of Maine School of Law
Marine and Coastal Law
Visiting Student, Fall 1999

Vermont Law School
Environmental Law Program, Sustainability, Environmental Justice
Visiting Student, Summer 1999

University of Houston – Clear Lake
Master of Science in Environmental Management, Class of 1994

The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology
and Archaeology, Class of 1990

Work Experience

2017-Present
Propane Gas Association of New England
⦁ President & CEO
2015-16
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
⦁ Bureau Director Remediation
and Waste Management
⦁ Director of Innovation
2000-14
Dead River Co.
⦁ Director of Risk and Corporate Counsel
1998-99
Anderson Environmental
⦁ Environmental Consultant
1994-98
Vopak
⦁ Environmental Supervisor, Paktank Terminal

What are your top priorities for PGANE in 2022?

“Electrification will continue to dominate New England as our top priority in 2022. We are working to educate the public about the environmental benefits of propane and why it is the perfect partner for other renewable energies. Our key messaging revolves around energy security, environmental justice and the environmental benefits of propane.”

What are the challenges of overseeing and managing six states?

“Wow, the major challenge is keeping track of the numerous bills that are introduced each session and rallying our members to reach out to their state representatives and senators. Over the last few years, the number of propane-related environmental bills has skyrocketed tenfold. Keeping track of all of these bills and commenting on the important ones is a constant juggling act that never stops.”

Propane’s place in the environmental landscape

“The landscape has changed in the last five years significantly. The environmental landscape is now emotional rather than fact-based. Governments are making their own rules and picking their own numbers and methodologies when it comes to data collection. For instance, the definition of a zero-emission vehicle does not account for all the emissions used to create the electricity to power that vehicle.

“In order for propane to solidify its place in the future environmental landscape, we have to tell our story from an emotional perspective. Energy security and environmental justice propane stories are compelling, and we need for everyone to embrace our new branding and get the word out to the policymakers. Every marketer, supplier, equipment supplier and company that supports the propane industry should set a goal to meet with their local state representative and senator this spring to tell our compelling story. PGANE has developed folders for our region to provide details on our compelling story, but we need more national messaging to get out there and educate our consumers. When customers think ‘green energy,’ we want them thinking propane. We need to act now.”

Combating ‘electric-only’ messaging

“PGANE has developed specific messaging and branding to show propane in an environmental light – ‘Propane in New England is Green Sustainable Energy’ – within our branding. This message relates extremely well with ‘Energy for Everyone.’”

Women in Propane

“The wonderful thing about the propane industry is that there is nothing to hold back women who are dedicated and work hard. Women in Propane helps to connect women across the industry and build networking contacts, as well as advance leadership training and mentoring. It is a wonderful group, and I am proud to be assisting with the state engagement committee of WIP.”

2022 Northeast Propane Show

The 2022 Northeast Propane Show is set to take place Aug. 10-11 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is hosted by PGANE.

“Our NPS (Northeast Propane Show) has been postponed twice during COVID, and we are excited to be coming together in person in August. This is the largest show in the Northeast, with valuable seminars as well as a huge trade show. We expect to attract over a thousand attendees, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we break attendance records this year.”

Hobbies

When Leslie is not working, she enjoys boating, playing board games and spending time with her family.