The propane industry continues to experience consolidation as companies expand into multi-fuel distribution. Many propane marketers are acquiring heating oil, diesel, or alternative fuel businesses to diversify revenue streams and strengthen regional market positions. While acquisitions often generate growth opportunities, the true challenge begins after the deal closes. Post-merger integration (PMI) determines whether the combined… Continue reading Post-Merger Integration: Best Practices for Multi-Fuel Operations

Rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran are beginning to ripple through global energy markets – and the propane industry is feeling the effects. Energy analysts say new restrictions on Iranian petrochemical exports are tightening supplies in parts of the Middle East, a region responsible for roughly a tenth of the world’s propane… Continue reading Global Tensions Are Starting to Move the Propane Market

Indiana has taken a step to ensure that propane-powered equipment remains an option for businesses and consumers across the state. Earlier this month, Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1150 into law, preventing cities and counties from banning the use of propane-powered vehicles and equipment. The legislation, approved on March 6, aims to give companies… Continue reading Indiana Moves to Protect Propane Equipment from Local Restrictions

A growing number of states are taking steps to address a persistent challenge in the propane industry: finding enough qualified drivers to deliver fuel during peak demand. This year, 13 states have updated their rules to allow 18-year-old drivers to operate propane delivery trucks for intrastate routes – meaning trips that stay within state lines… Continue reading States Lower Age Requirement for Some Propane Truck Drivers to Help Ease Labor Shortage

A U.S. District Court in Texas has thrown out a Biden‑era determination from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would have mandated the latest International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE standards for all new single‑family homes. The ruling preserves the ability of builders to install propane‑fueled…

Mid‑month posted and spot rates climb in Mont Belvieu, TX and Conway, KS, signaling a shift for distributors planning inventory and pricing. According to the latest BPN Pricing & Supply Newsletter, posted and spot propane prices posted for the Mont Belvieu, Texas hub rose sharply in the second half of…

The U.S. Department of Labor unveiled the OSHA Safety Champions Program, a new initiative that spotlights companies with exemplary safety records and shares best‑practice toolkits across industries. Propane firms are encouraged to participate, and many are already leveraging mobile safety platforms such as Tankspotter.com to streamline inspections and documentation. OSHA…

Propane safety and compliance are no longer just checklist items – they’re strategic assets that do much to protect your people, your margins, and your reputation. While there hasn’t been a single blockbuster regulatory overhaul recently, several ongoing developments underscore how safety expectations are evolving and why propane companies – from delivery fleets to plant… Continue reading Safety Culture Isn’t Optional – It’s Your Competitive Advantage

Flat-rate delivery has long been the default in retail propane. It feels simple and fair. Operationally, however, it rarely is. Peak winter demand, weather-driven runouts, labor shortages, and insurance exposure have changed the economics of “one-size-fits-all” service. When every customer expects same-day delivery at the same price, dispatch becomes reactive, margins erode, and safety risk… Continue reading Designing a Tiered Propane Delivery Model That Pays

CDL Pipeline Limits and Regulatory Requirements Narrow the Labor Pool The propane industry’s driver shortage has moved beyond a seasonal staffing challenge. It is now a structural constraint affecting delivery capacity, operating costs, and compliance exposure. Unlike general freight carriers, propane marketers must recruit drivers who meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) commercial driver… Continue reading Driver Shortage Continues to Constrain Propane Delivery Capacity

Across the propane industry, competition is no longer limited to neighboring marketers. National consolidators, online lead aggregators, and multi-state service providers are increasingly competing for the same customers through aggressive digital marketing investment. Many independent propane companies assume these larger competitors hold an unavoidable advantage. In reality, the opposite is often true. Local search visibility… Continue reading Local SEO: The Hidden Moat Against National Competitors

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would update the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to align more closely with international transportation standards. The proposal, designated HM-215R, represents the latest step in PHMSA’s ongoing effort to harmonize U.S. hazmat regulations with global frameworks such as… Continue reading PHMSA Proposes Updates to Hazardous Materials Regulations

BeST Transit rolls out new fuel strategy with six propane buses now on the streets BOSTON, MA – BeST Transit, Boston’s public transportation agency, is embracing cleaner, more cost‑effective resources by adding propane‑powered buses to its fleet. Six of the new buses are already in operation, with plans to introduce additional dual‑fuel vehicles over the… Continue reading Boston Transit Agency Shifts to Propane Buses to Cut Costs and Emissions

March 2026 EIA report signals higher costs for homeowners and retailers WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. propane prices rose in March as the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report highlights tightening supplies across the country. According to the EIA’s Heating Oil and Propane Update released on March 11, national wholesale propane prices increased 3.2 % from February,… Continue reading Propane Prices Tick Up as Spring Heating Data Shows Tight Supply

Geopolitical Tensions Inject Volatility into Global LPG Trade Flows U.S. propane prices moved sharply higher on March 2, 2026, rising approximately 9.6% and reaching multi-month highs. The move followed escalating conflict in the Middle East, a region that represents a significant share of global LPG export supply. For propane marketers, the development is less about… Continue reading US Propane Prices Climb Amid Middle East Supply Disruption

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has just released a detailed briefing on sweeping state tax reforms that will take effect this year. Legislators across the country are reshaping how propane businesses are taxed, drawing a clear line between pass‑through entities – such as LLCs and S‑corporations – and traditional C‑corporations. Under the new taxation… Continue reading 2026 State Taxes and Their Impact on the Propane Sector

Energy Development Partners (EDP) finalized its acquisition of Hocon Gas on February 24, 2026, adding a Connecticut‑based propane distributor with more than 35,000 residential and commercial customers to its growing portfolio. The deal brings roughly 1,200 delivery trucks, multiple bulk‑storage terminals, and a well‑established service network into EDP’s existing Northeast operations, instantly expanding the company’s market share… Continue reading EDP Acquires Hocon Gas

Freight Rate Pressure Adds New Uncertainty to Global Fuel Supply Chains Global crude shipping markets are tightening as South Korean shipping company Sinokor Maritime rapidly expands its presence in the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) market. The company has recently acquired a significant number of vessels, increasing its influence in the spot tanker market and… Continue reading Supertanker Shortage Deepens as Sinokor Expands VLCC Fleet

Data-Driven Forecasting Reduces Runouts Customer expectations in the propane industry are changing. Residential and commercial customers increasingly expect quick, reliable deliveries, clear communication, and convenient digital access to their accounts. For propane marketers, predictive delivery analytics is becoming an important tool for meeting those modern expectations while improving operational efficiency at the same time. Rather… Continue reading Predictive Delivery Analytics Improves Customer Experience

Protecting Data, Dispatch Systems, and Delivery Operations Cybersecurity has become a growing operational risk for propane marketers and fuel distributors. What was once viewed as an IT concern has evolved into a business continuity issue that can severely disrupt dispatch systems, compromise customer data, and halt delivery operations. Fuel logistics companies now operate in a… Continue reading Cybersecurity Threats in Fuel Logistics Demand Executive Attention