Autogas Advocates Push For Inclusion in Energy Bill
BPN Staff—Jul 30, 2010
With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on track to
release the details of his new, pared-down energy plan, minus any cap and trade
provisions, the legislation was expected to provide tax breaks for natural gas
vehicles and infrastructure. And advocates of propane autogas were pushing the
Senate to include their fuel, along with natural gas, in the vehicle and
infrastructure incentive provisions.
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) July 23 launched
a grass-roots letter-writing campaign to ensure propane is included in any
energy bill introduced in the U.S. Senate. “The majority of propane autogas is
derived from the refining of natural gas,” noted Stuart Weidie, director of the
industry coalition Autogas for America.
“Autogas has similar environmental benefits to natural gas and about 90% of it
is produced here in America.
There’s no logical reason this bill should exclude propane autogas but include
natural gas.”
NPGA and Autogas for America requested that their
industry flood Senate offices with letters petitioning that autogas be included
in Sen. Reid’s plan. “Propane autogas is comparable to natural gas when it
comes to reducing harmful emissions and, at the same time, it’s vastly less
expensive to implement,” said Rick Roldan, president and CEO of NPGA. “Sen. Reid
is moving this along so quickly that we’re afraid they may not include autogas.
It would be a tremendous oversight by the Senate, because they’d be failing to
support an alternative fuel that they’re already investing in.”
Roldan was referencing a number of Department of
Energy-administered Recovery Act programs that will be implementing thousands
of propane autogas vehicles and hundreds of autogas fueling stations over the
next several years. Together, these programs represent about $50 million of
investment on behalf of the federal government.
NPGA notes that the New Alternative Transportation to Give
Americans Solutions (NATGAS) Act (S. 1408) is included in Reid’s Senate package,
and that the bill is the result of T. Boone Pickens’ lobbying activities. While
the NATGAS Act includes a variety of natural gas-only tax credits to promote
natural gas, it does not include propane. Rather, the association is supporting
the Fueling America Act, S. 1350, sponsored by Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and
Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), which provides incentives for both propane and natural
gas.
To facilitate letter writing, the association has prepared
written examples of the issue that companies can incorporate in the letter they
draft on their company letterhead, as well as a sample letter. The examples,
and U.S. Senate fax numbers, are posted at
www.npga.org/EnergyBillGrassroots. To receive assistance in creating a letter,
contact Brian Caudill at bcaudill@npga.org
or 202/355-1326. NPGA is strongly encouraging all member companies, and all
employees, to get involved in the grass-roots effort. Also requested is that
participants fax a copy of letters to TaraFalls
at 202/466-7205. State propane associations are also involved in the campaign,
and questions may be directed to association representatives.
Marketer Training Program To Extend Through October
BPN Staff—Jul 29, 2010
Marketer training covering the business potential of three
products that can help stimulate propane demand—commercial lawn mowers,
tankless water heaters, and irrigation engines—will extend through October
across the country. Each full-day training session features two of the three
products. The training is designed to enhance marketers’ understanding of
applications that can offset seasonal propane demand.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled in Raleigh, N.C. July 29; Boxborough,
Mass. Aug. 10; Richmond, Va.
Aug. 12; Prattville, Ala.
Aug. 19; Pasadena, Calif.
Aug. 26; Monterey, Calif.
Sept. 23; Frankfort, Ky.
Sept. 29; St. Augustine, Fla.
Oct. 4; and Flintstone,
Md. Oct. 26.
The program debuted in Wisconsin in May, and evaluations of the
program have been positive. The training covers basic installation, energy
efficiency and environmental impact, consumer benefits, and implementation obstacles.
“To grow, the industry must learn all we can about propane-fueled products that
can create new demand and share information about their benefits with potential
users,” said Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) president Roy
Willis. “That’s where the PERC Marketer Technology Training program comes in.
It gives marketers the information to confidently talk with consumers about
propane products that can stimulate propane demand.”
“This program targets markets that are counter-seasonal,
which will level annual loads, allowing us to better utilize our equipment and
fuel infrastructure,” notes Joe Cordill of Cordill Propane Service (Winnsboro, La.),
2009 chairman of the National Propane Gas Association. “It emphasizes
advantages propane has in addition to economic benefits. The mower market is an
emerging market for us, and we’ll definitely be able to use this program in our
company.”
For additional information, contact Maryann Malesardi at maryann.malesardi@propanecouncil.org or
202/452-8975.
Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones is
confident that the geology in Texas,
combined with safeguards required by the Railroad Commission in the drilling of
gas wells, do not support the notion that water used in hydraulic fracturing
will migrate to the water table. “With many thousands of fracs taking place in Texas, commission
records do not indicate a single documented water contamination case associated
with hydraulic fracturing in our state,” she comments.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was in Fort Worth early this
month to conduct a public meeting on a study it is proposing to determine if
there are links between hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on
drinking water contamination (Newsletter,
June 28, p. 3). EPA is soliciting public comments on the draft study plan.
The Railroad Commission of Texas has provided the regulatory
framework for virtually all of the oil and gas production activity in the
state, including more than 50 years of hydraulic fracturing. “This agency does
not allow the permitting of a well where hydraulic fracturing will be used without
certification from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that
identifies the depth that groundwater must be protected by cement and steel,”
notes Ms. Jones. “Water tables, that yield water for human consumption, can
extend to a depth of 1000 feet in some areas of the Barnett Shale gas and oil
production. The horizontal lateral pipes are placed an average depth of 7500
feet—more than a mile and a half below the earth’s surface.”
She adds that area well logs around any proposed well are evaluated
by geologists and hydrologists at TCEQ and the depth of the surface casing to
protect fresh water formations in every new well is determined by TCEQ. Those
determinations are then submitted to the Railroad Commission for consideration
before drilling permits are issued.
“The study the EPA is conducting, like other studies
in the past, will show the positive benefits of this homegrown technology that
has increased our supply of clean-burning natural gas that makes America more
energy secure,” Ms. Jones maintains. “With the oversight of the Railroad
Commission, Texas’s natural gas, produced
using innovative technology, will contribute mightily and responsibly to the
nation’s energy mix at a time when we sorely need it.”
ComStar International (College Point,
N.Y.) and A.S. Trust & Holding (Kaneohe, Hawaii)
have signed an agreement to manufacture, market, and distribute the hydrocarbon
refrigerant HCR188C1, a patented blend of ethane, propane, butane, and other
pure hydrocarbons.
The partners note the refrigerant displays a zero
ozone-depleting rating and is the first hydrocarbon refrigerant approved by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for sale in the U.S., with the
public comment process having been completed July 9. The American Society of
Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has rated
HCR188C1 to be non-toxic. In addition, the coolant is now a listed refrigerant
with independent testing, inspection, and certification partner Intertek
Testing Services.
HCR188C1, designed to replace chlorofluorocarbons,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and hydrofluorocarbons, will soon be in the public
comment stage as solicited by ASHRAE. Results are expected by October for a
final EPA SNAP ruling to list the coolant as an approved alternative
refrigerant for use in household refrigerators and stand-along freezers. SNAP
refers to the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy initiative, a part of
the Clean Air Act.
The new refrigerant is said to operate effectively as a
direct replacement in appliances and air-conditioning systems designed for
traditional coolants. Though flammable, the product partners note, HCR188C1 is
used in small amounts, presenting a negligible risk. To mitigate risk, A.S.
Trust & Holding holds a patent on a refrigerant safety service port valve
that can be used on larger systems. The valve operates by shutting down the
system when there is a drop in operating pressure.
Ford Motor Co. has informed its North American fleet
customers it will begin offering an alternative fuels prep package for its
6.8-liter F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis. The F-450 and F-550 are Ford’s
latest vehicles to get the alternative fuel conversion option.
Since introducing the option to E-Series and other
commercial fleet vehicles last fall, Ford notes it has shipped about 3000
E-Series vans with 5.4-liter and 6.8-liter engines prepped for LPG/CNG to fleet
operators such as Verizon and Schwan’s. Ford provides calibration guidance to
LPG and CNG upfitters for E-Series, F-Series, and Transit Connect. By following
Ford recommendations, the converted vehicle maintains its factory warranty.
Ford offers the alternative fuel package on its Transit Connect,
including its new taxi offering with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. This
fall, Ford says it will also add LPG/CNG capability to the F-53 motor home
chassis and its new F-59 commercial chassis. Ford’s 6.8-liter, V-10 engine with
the prep package includes hardened exhaust valves and valve seats for improved
wear resistance and durability for gaseous fuel systems.
“Compressed natural gas and propane offer more than
sufficient power for vehicles because they are high-energy fuels,” said Rob
Stevens, Ford’s commercial vehicle chief engineer. “Other natural benefits for
these fuels are overall lower emissions of greenhouse gases compared to
gasoline and lower fuel and operating costs for their fleet.”
…The Propane Marketers of Kansas’ (PMAK) Beth Johnson
Scholarship Foundation has donated $75,000 to the National Propane Gas
Foundation Scholarship Fund, becoming the fund’s newest Platinum Plus Donor.
Through the donation, PMAK’s Beth Johnson Memorial scholarships will now be
administered by the National Propane Gas Foundation, which will award two $2000
scholarships annually to dependents of National Propane Gas Association members
who reside in Kansas…
…The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has been
notified it will be receiving the 2010 Corporate Award of Merit at the upcoming
meeting of the CSA Standards committees in Orlando, Fla.
in September. NPGA is being recognized by CSA Standards for “outstanding
achievement and for a high level of involvement in the development and
advancement of standards, both nationally and internationally.” NPGA has
participated on the CSA-administered Z21/83 Standards Committee for Fuel Gas
Appliances for decades, and also sponsors several of its members for their
participation on various technical advisory groups that write gas appliance
standards…
A new industry-sponsored study prepared by Resource Dynamics
Corp. (McLean, Va.)
identifies advanced distribution generation applications with the potential to
increase U.S.
propane sales. According to the study, “Propane Distributed Generation Market
Assessment,” the largest potential market for propane-fueled distributed
generation is commercial and industrial combined heat and power, or CHP.
According to Resource Dynamics, CHP systems could consume
430 MMgal. of propane a year. To help capture that emerging market, the
Propane Education & Research Council is field-testing CHP systems to verify
their performance in real-world settings.
An 810-kw CHP system has been installed at a resort in Kauai, Hawaii, and a
4.7-kw Ecopower micro-CHP system is being evaluated at a greenhouse in Pennsylvania. Another
1.2-kw Freewatt Plus system has been installed at three small commercial sites
in the Northeast, and a 10-kw Yanmar micro-CHP system is being evaluated for
commercial use. To download the report, visit
…Sunoco Logistics Partners (Philadelphia) has acquired the butane
blending business of Texon (Houston) for a reported $140 million plus
inventory. Sunoco Logistics expects to fund the acquisition with a $100-million
loan from parent company Sunoco and borrowings under its revolving credit
facility. The transaction is expected to close this month. The business
consists of patented technology for blending of butane into gasoline, contracts
with several terminal operators, butane inventories, and other assets…
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) intends to appeal an
NFPA Technical Committee on Liquefied Petroleum Gases vote rejecting a comment it
submitted regarding revising NFPA 58 to add requirements for the training of
industry personnel, reports the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).
NPGA notes that CSB developed a proposal and Comment 58-49
to change NFPA 58 following its investigation of the propane incident that
occurred at the Little General Store in Ghent, W. Va. The CSB proposal would require all industry
training programs to include the following components: recognition of the
safety and health hazards of working with propane; a description of safe work
practices; actions to take during emergency response; supervised, on-the-job
training; and testing and performance evaluation.
The NFPA Technical Committee on LPG objected to some of the
language in the CSB proposal, comments NPGA, that may be interpreted to require
the training mandates apply to others outside the industry, such as personnel
who work at convenience stores and assist customers in loading cylinders into
vehicles. The Technical Committee voted to request its chairman to formally
oppose the CSB appeal at the Standards Council meeting in August, and to ask
the council to reject the appeal.
In addition, the committee voted to have its chairman
propose that a tentative interim amendment be developed to address the concerns
of the CSB.
…Completed 2009 American Petroleum Institute (API) survey of
sales of natural gas liquids and liquefied refinery gases are due Aug. 9.
Completing and returning the annual API survey is critical to the allocation of
state rebates by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which
account for one out of every five dollars PERC oversees. The survey is also the
propane industry’s benchmark for overall propane sales and assessment
collections, and it is the primary source on propane sales by market—residential,
commercial, engine fuel, agriculture, etc. To request a survey or for
information, contact Crystal Harrod of API at harrod@api.org, or call 202/682-8492…
The Gas Processors Association (GPA) notes that as the
traditionally most active months of the hurricane season are approaching, the
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is planning its emergency
response.
In this effort, EIA is asking GPA members and natural gas
processing plant operators to submit any updates to emergency contact names,
telephone numbers, and e-mail address. Of particular interest to EIA are any
emergency contact staff changes that may have occurred, namely the staff that
can provide status updates to EIA on operations during a supply emergency.
In addition, EIA is asking that all processing plant
operators report any ownership or operator changes, plant decommissions, and/or
acquisitions. Contact information and additional plant information was
initially requested on Form EIA-757, http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/survey_forms/eia
757af.pdf. For
additional information, contact Lejla Alic of EIA at 202/586-0858 or Lance
Stewart at 202/586-8926. E-mail updated information to OOGEIA-757@eia.doe.gov.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
is focusing on removing or revising safety and health standards that have
requirements that are confusing, outdated, duplicative, unnecessary, or
inconsistent, notes the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).
The effort is under the agency’s continuing efforts to build
upon its Standards Improvement Project. To that end, OSHA has published a
proposed rule to update its regulations with references to more current
industry consensus standards.
Regulations and standards under current consideration that
could potentially impact NPGA members are 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E-Means of
Egress, Subpart I-Training Certification Records for Personal Protective
Equipment, and Subpart J-Slings. Also under consideration are an update of
NFPA’s Life Safety Code to the 2006 edition and independent compliance options
via NFPA’s Life Safety Code 101 and the International Code Council’s
International Fire Code.
NPGA notes that OSHA believes that the proposed revisions will
reduce compliance costs, eliminate paperwork burdens, and clarify requirements
without diminishing worker protections. Comments are due Sept. 30. For more
information, contact Robert Elliot, NPGA director of regulatory affairs, at relliott@npga.org.
Northwest Propane Association Adds Hawaii, Changes Name
BPN Staff—Jul 8, 2010
The Northwest Propane Gas Association has changed its name
to the Pacific Propane Gas Association (PPGA) and has added Hawaii as a member state. The name change
and addition of Hawaii were approved by
association members in June at the annual meeting in Welches, Ore. The new Pacific Propane Gas Association
represents Alaska, Hawaii,
Oregon, and Washington.
“With the addition of Hawaii
to our association, we felt a name change was in order,” said Lloyd Pope, vice
president and regional manager of Heritage Propane and president of PPGA. “Our
new name, Pacific Propane Gas Association, better represents our membership.”
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Hawaii marketers into the PPGA,” added Baron
Glassgow, PPGA executive director. “The association has been collaborating with
Hawaii on special projects since 2003, and
started discussions with Hawaii marketers in
2008 regarding joining the association. Dan Binning, regional manager, western
division of AmeriGas, noted, “The inclusion of Hawaii
into the now Pacific Propane Gas Association is the hallmark of a stronger
regional affiliation that will benefit all four states and the industry as a
whole.”
PPGA’s roots go back to the formation of the Washington and
Oregon Propane Gas Associations in the early 1960s. Those groups merged in 1985
to form the Northwest Propane Gas Association. Alaska
joined as a member state in 2000.
Ergonomics Rulemaking Back As OSHA Considers “I2P2”
BPN Staff—Jul 8, 2010
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that the
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA) is seeking to reprise its Ergonomics Rulemaking after more than a decade.
NPGA reminds its members that OSHA more than 10 years ago sought to impose a
controversial rulemaking that would have required employers in general industry
workplaces to establish safety and health programs.
Some of the proposed elements of the program included
management leadership and employee participation; hazard identification and
assessment; hazard prevention and control; and information, training, and
evaluation of programs effectiveness. Numerous industries and organizations,
including NPGA, opposed the proposed ergonomics-related requirements.
Ultimately, notes the association, the rulemaking effort was withdrawn from
OSHA’s regulatory agenda in 2002 with the arrival of a new presidential
administration.
However, with a different administration now in Washington,
OSHA has scheduled a series of stakeholder meetings this summer that will focus
on Injury Illness Prevention Programs, which the agency refers to as “I2P2,” observes
NPGA. The association reports that OSHA plans to use information gathered at
the stakeholder meetings to develop an Injury Illness Prevention Program
proposed rule that will “help employers reduce workplace injuries and illnesses
through a systematic process that proactively addresses workplace safety and
health hazards.”
OSHA has stated it believes that an Injury and Illness
Prevention Program would include many of the same elements discussed during the
ergonomics rulemaking in the late 1990s. In addition, other topics to be
discussed include possible regulatory approaches, scope and application of the
rule, industries covered, employers covered and injury rates, the role of
consensus standards, economic impact, and even what is the most appropriate
name for OSHA to use in describing the topic.
NPGA plans to participate in the stakeholders meeting
scheduled for July 20 in Washington,
D.C. For more information, contact
Robert Elliott, NPGA director of regulatory affairs, at relliott@npga.org.
Transport Topics
notes that a coalition of interest groups that has repeatedly succeeded in
challenging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hours-of-service
(HOS) rule are pushing to dramatically cut the current daily and weekly work
time limits.
In June the groups advocated FMCSA should slash the number
of hours a driver could be behind the wheel to eight from the current limit of
11, and increase the daily mandated off-duty period to 12 hours from 10. FMCSA has
a July 26 deadline for publishing a revised rule.
The coalition is led by Public Citizen and includes the
Teamsters. The Public Citizen proposal would cap the workday at a maximum of 12
hours, a two-hour cut from the 14-hour workday in the current rule. It would
also require drivers using a sleeper berth to spend more than eight consecutive
hours in the berth.
Public Citizen, along with Citizens for Reliable and Safe
Highways, Parents Against Tired Truckers, Advocates for Highway and Auto
Safety, and the Teamsters, has sued FMCSA several times since 2003 to overturn
the HOS rule. In 2004 and 2007, the coalition succeeded in getting a federal
court to strike down all or some of the rule. Last year, in the face of a third
lawsuit over the regulation, FMCSA agreed to review the rule as part of a court
settlement.
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has launched a Clean
Propane Vehicles blog to help Texans stay informed about the commission’s
$12.6-million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The commission
has a goal to put another 800 propane-fueled vehicles on the road for its grant
partners, including school districts and public agencies, during the next two
years.
The blog may be accessed at blogs.rrc.state.tx.us/TPF/. It is designed as a resource for those
considering adding propane vehicles to their fleet, or who wish to learn more
about the latest propane technology. RRC commissioner Michael Williams is inviting
everyone to share their thoughts and questions on the blog.
The commission will post case studies of successful propane
fleets, an online cost calculator, lists of available OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) propane vehicles and certified retrofit fuel systems, information
about free Railroad Commission technical and safety training, and other topics
of interest to current and potential grant partners.
Enterprise Products Operating LLC (Houston) said July 6 that
a Dixie Pipeline rupture and subsequent
propane release the previous day near the Georgia-South Carolina border had halted
mainline operations eastward. As a result of the release, the pipeline’s
ability to maintain schedules and comply with shippers’ withdrawal requirements
are being affected.
As of July 5, the Dixie was unable to deliver propane to Lexington, Cheraw, or BethuneS.C. or to Apex, N.C. Mainline operations
continue from points westward of the release, including at Demopolis and Opelika, Ala. and Milner,
Albany, and Alma, Ga.
Enterprise Products said it was working closely with all
appropriate government agencies on an investigation of the rupture. Once the
investigation is complete, it will take a number of days to return the pipeline
to service.
NHTSA Seeking Comments On Fuel Efficiency Standard
BPN Staff—Jul 8, 2010
The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking input and public comments on the
possible environmental effects of President Obama’s proposed fuel-efficiency
standard for heavy trucks, reports Lane
Line magazine.
In May, the president announced that NHTSA and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be developing the first standard to
reduce tailpipe emissions from heavy trucks. He maintained that trucks could
make significant gains in fuel economy using technology that exists today, and
called upon NHTSA and EPA to develop a rulemaking.
The Federal Register
June 14 outlined NHTSA’s intention to draft an environmental impact statement
on the proposal and to seek comments from government agencies and the public
through July 14. Once the environmental statement is drafted, NHTSA will
initiate another round of public comments. NHTSA’s proposal to draft an
environmental impact statement appears in the Federal Register as Docket No. 2010-0079.
Comments are accepted online, by mail, delivery, or
fax as follows: online at http://www.regulations.gov;
by mail or delivery to Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Washington, D.C. 20590; or by fax to 202/493-2251.
Trucking Execs Concerned Over Liability Issues With CSA 2010
BPN Staff—Jul 8, 2010
Some trucking executives are expressing concern
that providing additional training to their contract drivers to meet standards
under the federal government’s new safety monitoring program—CSA 2010—may put
their independent contractor status at risk.
Transport Topics reports
that although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is assuring
carriers they won’t run afoul of labor laws by providing CSA 2010 training,
industry representatives remain concerned. One executive told the magazine that
“as soon as you start training an independent contractor driver…on the system
that’s going to be used to measure them, I think you have the potential to
cross the line to training them on core skills that as independent
professionals they should bring to the job.”
Executives are calling for a “safe harbor” provision that
allows fleets to provide safety training to their owner-operators without
jeopardizing the independent contractor status of those drivers. The U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL), meanwhile, explains that it looks at the entire
relationship to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent
contractor, and increased safety training would not, by itself, be enough to
change a driver’s status.
However, trucking executives note that the Labor
Department is merely one of many agencies, both at the state and federal level,
that has policies and legal tests.
The National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) 2010 fall
Technology, Standards & Safety (TS&S) Committee meeting is scheduled
for Sept. 12-15 at the HiltonCincinnatiNetherlandPlaza in Cincinnati. Those
interested in attending may visit the NPGA website, www.npga.org, and click on the Meetings & Conventions tab for a
link to the meeting.
Although the new cycle for NFPA 58 is a year away, the
committee has begun to develop new proposals that will be submitted for the
2014 edition. Some of the dockets that are open are Tdc-1732, Tbpt-1728, Tef
-1730, and Tdc-1744.
Under Tdc-1732, the need to require fire extinguishers in
conjunction with all installations of cylinder exchange cabinets has been
opened for review. Tbpt-1728 involves the study of whether primary valves
should be closed at all unattended bulk plants. Tef-1730 is taking under
consideration proposing new requirements to address the structural integrity of
the mounting system for propane tanks in engine fuel service installed on
vehicles. Finally, Tdc-1744 is being undertaken at the request of the Propane
Education & Research Council’s Safety & Training Advisory Committee to
develop a procedure for leak testing piping systems that have either multiple
second stage regulators or are 2-psi systems.
The NPGA website
includes the preliminary agenda, registration details, hotel information, and
sponsorship opportunities for the TS&S Committee meeting. For reservations,
call 513/521-9100 and request the NPGA group rate. The deadline for this rate
is Aug. 21.
APP Propane (Tacoma, Wash.) has extended its propane products and services
offerings to include the Grays HarborCounty markets in Washington state. The company will now serve
both residential and commercial customers throughout the area.
“APP Propane is fortunate to have the technology, a
state-of-the-art fleet, and outstanding staff to rapidly deploy products and
services to other areas of Washington
state,” said Don Kollmansberger, APP marketing manager. “Residential and
commercial customers will enjoy more choices for propane services.”
He added that moving into the Grays
Harbor market was a natural extension of the previous service
border in the Elma-McCleary area. APP Propane offers propane, above- and
below-ground tanks, tank installations, and swap-out services.
APP Propane is a division of Associated Petroleum Products,
which operates multiple locations in western Washington that feature bulk fuels,
lubricants, and propane, in addition to CFN and Pacific Pride cardlock and
retail fuel station services.
Paraco Gas Corp. (Rye Brook, N.Y.) has acquired Ewell’s Bottled Gas of Cape Charles, Va.
With the purchase, Paraco immediately assumes distribution and service to more
than 200 residential customers throughout Accomack and Northampton
counties in Virginia.
Paraco will operate out of Ewell’s current facilities on Lankford
Highway in Belle Haven and will retain Bryan and Frank Lewis of Ewell’s Bottled
Gas as consultants.
Mike Gioffree, Paraco vice president, noted that his company
would continue its long-standing tradition of giving back to the community by supporting
local organizations and events. “We will continue this tradition with the
organizations that are important to our customers on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia served by our Belle Haven location.”
Paraco Gas provides about 40 million gallons of propane to
more than 75,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in eight
states. It operates 22 propane distribution facilities, and has more than 250
employees.
Offshore Oil, Gas Operators Evacuate Gulf Platforms
BPN Staff—Jul 8, 2010
The newly minted Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), formerly the Department of Interior’s Minerals
Management Service, reports that offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of
Mexico are evacuating platforms and rigs in the path of Hurricane Alex. BOEMRE
is the federal agency that now regulates offshore oil and gas operations.
The agency notes that based on data from offshore operator
reports submitted as of June 29, personnel had been evacuated from 28
production platforms, or 4.4% of the 634 manned platforms in the Gulf.
Personnel have been evacuated from three rigs, equivalent to 5.9% of the 51
rigs currently operating in the area.
BOEMRE adds that neither the drilling rigs nor the
containment vessels involved in the BP oil spill response have been required to
evacuate or halt operations.
From operators’ reports, it is estimated that about 24.74%
of oil production in the Gulf has been shut-in. It is also estimated that about
9.38% of natural gas production is shut-in. Estimated energy production from
the Gulf of Mexico as of March 2010 is 1.6 MMbbld of oil and 6.4 Bcfd of gas,
according to the agency.
