Federal Update Expands Technology Use, Signals Cost Relief for Fleets The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has finalized amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations that materially affect propane bobtail operators nationwide. Effective February 13, 2026, PHMSA is formally allowing the use of advanced inspection technologies, including video optics and remote visual systems, in… Continue reading PHMSA Modernizes Bobtail Inspection Rules for 2026

Across the country, propane trucks are a familiar sight on the road – fueling homes, farms, and businesses – especially during the coldest months of the year. But behind the wheel, there’s a growing problem: not enough drivers. The nationwide truck driver shortage continues to strain the transportation sector, and the propane industry is feeling… Continue reading Propane Companies Face a Driver Crunch: Here’s How Family Businesses Are Fighting Back

A quiet but powerful transition is reshaping America’s local fuel delivery businesses. Across the country, many family-owned propane and heating oil companies are facing what industry observers call a “succession cliff.” Owners who built their businesses decades ago are reaching retirement age. Some postponed exit plans during the pandemic or recent market volatility. Others never… Continue reading As Fuel Dealers Near Retirement, Private Equity Steps In

The Canada Energy Regulator’s February 2026 inventory report shows a striking 33.3% month‑to‑month decline in propane stocks nationwide. While heating demand surges across the Prairies and Atlantic provinces, total inventories remain roughly 12% higher than a year ago, providing a modest buffer for the upcoming winter season. The rapid consumption…

When Winter Storm Fern slammed the Gulf Coast last week, ice accretion turned streets into slick, treacherous ribbons and left thousands of homes without power. In the hardest‑hit counties of northern Mississippi, the loss of heat threatened vulnerable families, especially the elderly and those dependent on life‑supporting medical equipment. Propane…

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…

Industry leaders outline the three pillars—safety, technology, and cash flow—that keep nights calm. The LPG editorial advisory board gathered this week to answer a question that keeps many retailer managers up at night: how can we run a smoother, safer, and more profitable business? Their consensus boiled down to three…

February 26, 2026 – The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its latest heating‑oil and propane update on February 25, 2026, revealing a sharp rise in both residential and wholesale propane prices across the Midwest and Northeast. Average residential prices in the Midwest climbed to $3.12 per gallon, a 12…

New authorized reseller agreement brings mobile propane power to more customers across the United States Wholesale propane equipment distributor Bergquist Inc. announced it has become an authorized reseller of Evergreen Mobile Power’s propane‑fueled power systems. The partnership enables Bergquist to offer Evergreen’s portable generators, lighting kits, and rapid‑deployment power modules…

Randy Warner, a veteran of the propane industry, outlines the essential safety and code standards that must be met when installing propane‑fueled backup generators. He stresses adherence to the Propane Equipment Registration Committee (PERC) guidelines, which cover everything from proper venting and clearances to the use of approved piping materials….

LP Gas released its annual ranking of U.S. retail propane companies, spotlighting the firms that moved the most gallons in 2026. At the summit sits AmeriGas , which logged an impressive 2.1 billion gallons sold, followed closely by Ferrellgas with 1.8 billion gallons and Suburban Propane at 1.6 billion. The…

Most propane marketers can name their largest customers from memory. Far fewer can quickly identify their 10 riskiest accounts. That gap is more than merely administrative. It affects driver exposure, insurance premiums, litigation risk, run-out frequency, and even routing efficiency. In an environment of tightening underwriting standards and rising claim severity, identifying high-risk accounts is… Continue reading Finding Your Top 10 Risk Accounts Before They Find You

When peak heating demand hits, the propane business becomes a logistics and compliance machine under stress. Gallons move fast, phones ring nonstop, drivers max out hours-of-service limits, and customers expect zero disruption. In that environment, an understaffed office is not just inconvenient, it is operationally dangerous. Billing errors cascade into cash flow problems. Missed dispatch… Continue reading Peak Season, Thin Staff: How to Triage Without Breaking Ops

Property damage claims remain one of the most persistent and preventable cost centers in last-mile propane delivery. Bent mailboxes, crushed culverts, damaged septic lids, torn-up driveways, and broken landscaping features rarely make headlines, but they quietly erode margins. For many marketers, these incidents drive insurance premiums, consume management time, and strain customer relationships far more… Continue reading Reducing Property Damage Through Backing Rules and Site Notes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Propane industry professionals from across the United States and around the world are gearing up for the 2026 Southeastern & International Propane Expo, set to take place Sunday through Tuesday, April 19–21, 2026, at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. Organized by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the Expo returns to… Continue reading Propane Expo Heads to Nashville: Dates, Details & Registration Info for April 19–21

U.S. propane delivery businesses have a timely growth lever: the newly launched 2026 Propane Farm Research Program, offering eligible farmers up to $10,000 back for adopting and reporting on propane-powered equipment on farms. This isn’t just another grant; it’s a strategic bridge between your company and agricultural customers who are actively seeking cost-effective, clean energy… Continue reading New 2026 Propane Farm Program Could Boost Your Ag Gallons & Profits

Recent propane industry safety bulletins underscore a sharp focus within the sector on underground tank risks – from improper installation to inadequate leak mitigation and emergency response – and what that means for your service teams today. With millions of underground propane tanks in service, multiplying operational complexity and liability exposure, delivery professionals can no… Continue reading Underground Tank Risks & Revenue Protection: What Your Service Techs Can’t Ignore

A fatal home explosion in Chestertown, Maryland, is under investigation, and while the cause has not yet been officially determined, early reports indicate a gas-related event that destroyed the residence and claimed a life. For propane marketers and delivery teams, tragedies like this are more than headlines. They are stark reminders that even one missed… Continue reading A Fatal Blast in Maryland – 5 Safety Lessons to Act On Now

As winter weather continues to squeeze propane supply chains and heat demand across the U.S., smart marketers are finding ways to turn weather-inspired signals into stronger customer relationships and better margins. With sustained cold, snow, and ice from recent winter storms that strained grids and spiked fuel use, propane demand is front and center in… Continue reading Weather-Driven Marketing Wins: Using Winter Demand to Strengthen Your Business

Winter price wars test discipline more than margins. When a nearby marketer undercuts you by 20–40 cents per gallon during the busiest season, the instinct is to respond in kind. But panic discounts during peak demand can destabilize routing, cash flow, and risk management at precisely the moment your operation is under the most strain.… Continue reading When a Competitor Slashes Winter Prices: Hold the Line

Emergency fuel delivery has traditionally been associated with storms or supply disruptions. But companies such as Fuel Logic have shown that rapid-response fueling can evolve into a nationwide service model supported by recurring contracts. Founded in Texas, Fuel Logic built a network capable of delivering diesel and gasoline across all 50 states. By focusing on… Continue reading Emergency Fuel Delivery Is Becoming a Year-Round Service for Diesel Fleets

Weekend coverage is where many propane companies quietly erode morale, safety margins, and long-term retention. Demand spikes do not wait for Monday. Cold snaps, run-outs, regulator failures, and generator calls tend to cluster when staffing is light and decision-makers are offsite. Poorly structured weekend rotations create fatigue, overtime creep, and rushed field decisions that increase… Continue reading Building a Weekend Coverage Plan That Protects Your Team