Louise, Author at Propane Insider

The Value of Disciplined Responses to Propane Tank Leak Warnings

A recent propane tank leak in Littleton, Massachusetts, is not remarkable because it happened, but because of how familiar the early warning signs were. Odor complaints, emergency response, and public safety messaging followed a pattern every experienced propane retailer recognizes. What makes incidents like this operationally significant is the downstream impact. A single residential leak… Continue reading The Value of Disciplined Responses to Propane Tank Leak Warnings

HR in Peak Season: A Practical Plan for Backup Drivers and Burnout

Peak heating season places sustained pressure on propane delivery operations, and staffing is often where those pressures surface first. Demand rises quickly, extreme weather disrupts routes, and customers expect reliable service regardless of conditions. At the same time, driver availability remains tight, and compliance requirements limit how much flexibility dispatch teams truly have. Without a… Continue reading HR in Peak Season: A Practical Plan for Backup Drivers and Burnout

Two-Month Trade Show Prep That Pays Off on the Show Floor

Most propane trade shows look productive from the outside. Busy aisles, polished demos, and packed calendars can create the feeling that value is guaranteed. In reality, the difference between a productive show and an expensive distraction is what happens in the two months before you arrive. With a full slate of regional, state, and national… Continue reading Two-Month Trade Show Prep That Pays Off on the Show Floor

State Heating Degree Day Metrics Still Shape Compliance Planning

Why HDDs Are Vital to Operations and Risk Heating Degree Days may feel like an old planning tool in an era of real-time weather apps and automated routing, but they continue to quietly influence compliance, staffing, and financial exposure across propane operations. State regulators, insurers, and even plaintiffs’ attorneys still rely on HDD-based assumptions when… Continue reading State Heating Degree Day Metrics Still Shape Compliance Planning

Using HOS Waivers Without Stalling Winter Operations

Why HOS Decisions Matter More in Winter Hours-of-service waivers are a familiar winter tool in propane, but they are also one of the fastest ways to create downstream risk if used carelessly. When cold snaps hit and demand spikes, exemptions can keep trucks moving and customers supplied. They can also quietly increase fatigue, accident exposure,… Continue reading Using HOS Waivers Without Stalling Winter Operations

The Highlights of PERC’s 2026 Strategic Plan

Propane delivery companies planning for long‑term success should take note: the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) finalized its 2026 strategic plan and budget, bringing clarity to industry priorities for the next three years. With a $46.3 million budget focused on safety, workforce development, and market expansion, PERC is aligning propane’s institutional resources with tangible… Continue reading The Highlights of PERC’s 2026 Strategic Plan

Equipment Finance in 2026 and the Buy or Delay Decision

Propane marketers are heading into 2026 with tighter margins, higher labor costs, and a market shaped by ongoing consolidation. Financing conditions have shifted from easy money to selective credit, and that reality is changing how owners think about trucks, service vehicles, and bulk equipment. In a consolidating industry, capital decisions ripple beyond the balance sheet.… Continue reading Equipment Finance in 2026 and the Buy or Delay Decision

Regional Stock Tightness and Smarter Pre-Buy Decisions

Consolidation has changed how propane supply decisions ripple through organizations. Fewer independent buyers, centralized procurement teams, and shared storage strategies mean that one pre-buy decision can affect pricing discipline, service standards, and customer trust across multiple markets. At the same time, regional propane stocks continue to move unevenly, creating pressure to act quickly when numbers… Continue reading Regional Stock Tightness and Smarter Pre-Buy Decisions

Strengthening Team Unity in Your Business

Every propane business relies on two core groups of people to keep operations moving: the office team and the field team. Both roles are important, but they experience the workday in very different ways. Office employees handle schedules, customer questions, billing, and planning. Field employees face weather, traffic, physical labor, and direct customer contact. These… Continue reading Strengthening Team Unity in Your Business

Keep Calm and Keep Delivering – Even During Equipment Failures

Peak season can be the most exciting time for your propane business – but it can also be the most stressful. When demand is high and trucks are running nonstop, one breakdown can throw your whole schedule off. Equipment failures during busy months aren’t just frustrating – they can affect your customer service, your reputation,… Continue reading Keep Calm and Keep Delivering – Even During Equipment Failures

Elevating Your Brand in a Competitive Market

In today’s propane industry, many businesses offer similar products and services – reliable deliveries, quality fuel, and dependable customer support. But when every company claims to have the same strengths, the question becomes: what makes yours stand out? Building a distinct, memorable brand is how propane businesses can rise above the competition and create lasting… Continue reading Elevating Your Brand in a Competitive Market

The Next Big Shift: Marketing Propane to Younger Consumers

The propane industry seeks to capture the attention of younger demographics, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, who prioritize sustainability, technology, and convenience in their purchasing decisions. Engaging these tech-savvy and environmentally conscious consumers is essential for long-term market growth. Today’s propane businesses must adapt their strategies to resonate with younger audiences. Targeted approaches leveraging digital… Continue reading The Next Big Shift: Marketing Propane to Younger Consumers

Propane Autogas vs. Diesel: A Comparative Analysis for Vehicles in 2026

Fleet operators face critical decisions when selecting fuels for vehicles, balancing cost, performance, and environmental impact to optimize operations. Propane autogas and diesel are two prominent options, each with distinct characteristics that influence their suitability for commercial and public sector fleets. In early 2026, with the need for reliable and sustainable fuel solutions, the choice… Continue reading Propane Autogas vs. Diesel: A Comparative Analysis for Vehicles in 2026

The New Era of Fuel Delivery

Over the past decade, the food delivery industry has fundamentally changed how Americans think about convenience. With a few taps on a smartphone, meals now arrive at homes, offices, college campuses, and job sites – usually faster than it would take to pick them up in person. Companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats didn’t just… Continue reading The New Era of Fuel Delivery

The Perks of Partnering With Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Local chambers of commerce play a major role in shaping the business climate of a town or region. They bring together business owners, community leaders, and service providers who all want the same thing – to help their communities grow. For propane companies, partnering with a local chamber can open doors that are hard to… Continue reading The Perks of Partnering With Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Modern Operations Can Strengthen the Personal Side of Propane

Propane businesses across the country are under pressure to operate more efficiently while still delivering the level of service customers expect. Rising labor costs, tighter delivery windows, safety requirements, and seasonal demand swings are pushing many companies to adopt new technology and digital tools. At the same time, there is a real concern that modernization… Continue reading Modern Operations Can Strengthen the Personal Side of Propane

U.S. Propane Owners Can Learn From Global Markets

The propane industry may feel local, but its lessons come from every corner of the world. From how fuel is stored and distributed to how customers are served, international propane markets reveal new ways to stay competitive and efficient. For U.S. propane business owners, looking beyond domestic borders can offer valuable insights that improve operations,… Continue reading U.S. Propane Owners Can Learn From Global Markets

Propane Scenario Planning Builds Stronger Operations

Every propane business faces challenges that can appear without warning – harsh weather, sudden price shifts, supply delays, or unexpected equipment breakdowns. While no one can predict the future with certainty, you can prepare for it. That’s where propane scenario planning comes in. It’s a practical way to think ahead, prepare for different outcomes, and… Continue reading Propane Scenario Planning Builds Stronger Operations

On Slow Days, On-Demand Fuel Speeds Up

Every propane marketer in America understands the rhythm of the business. Winter brings a sense of urgency along with it – long routes, full schedules, and maximum asset utilization. By late spring, that urgency fades. Delivery volumes soften. Trucks that ran six days a week sit idle more often. Experienced drivers see fewer hours, even… Continue reading On Slow Days, On-Demand Fuel Speeds Up

Tracking Fleet Costs Now for Smarter 2026 Tax Deductions

Fleet expenses remain one of the most complex and closely reviewed cost areas for propane businesses, and decisions made this year will directly affect 2026 tax outcomes. Maintenance work, tire replacements, inspections, and driver overtime all create legitimate deductions, but only if records are detailed, organized, and easy to verify. As fleets age, routes grow… Continue reading Tracking Fleet Costs Now for Smarter 2026 Tax Deductions

How Education Helps Customers Use Propane More Reliably

Reliable propane service depends on more than supply and delivery schedules. It also depends on what customers know about how propane systems work and how their own usage habits affect performance. As weather patterns grow less predictable and customers rely on propane for more applications, their education has become a key part of reliability. When… Continue reading How Education Helps Customers Use Propane More Reliably

Agriculture’s Year-Round Role in Keeping Propane Sales Strong

When people think of propane demand, winter heating often comes to mind first. But another major source of year-round demand comes from agricultural uses. Farms and other agricultural operations rely on propane not just during the colder months, but throughout the year. This steady need helps keep propane sales active even when average residential deliveries… Continue reading Agriculture’s Year-Round Role in Keeping Propane Sales Strong

Why Tank Monitoring Is Becoming a Standard, Not a Luxury

For years, remote tank monitoring was seen as a nice add-on for propane companies that wanted to experiment with new technology. That view is changing fast. Rising delivery costs, tighter labor markets, and higher customer expectations are pushing propane businesses to rethink how they manage gallons in the field. At the same time, weather volatility… Continue reading Why Tank Monitoring Is Becoming a Standard, Not a Luxury

Could Your Business Save More With Pass-Through Deductions?

As 2026 unfolds, propane businesses are making key decisions that will directly affect their cash flow for the new year – from fleet upgrades to storage improvements and financing plans. This year also brings welcome clarity on the tax side. Recent federal tax changes have permanently extended the 20% qualified business income deduction for pass-through… Continue reading Could Your Business Save More With Pass-Through Deductions?

Was the Propane HOS Waiver Denied This Winter?

The winter delivery season is upon us, and with it comes tighter schedules, longer routes, and less room for error. Most propane companies plan ahead, assuming some flexibility for extra hours during peak cold months, especially when harsh weather and customer demand collide. This year, that flexibility will not be coming. On December 2, 2025,… Continue reading Was the Propane HOS Waiver Denied This Winter?

Line 5 Ruling Brings Winter Supply Stability, But Delivery Risks Remain

A pivotal federal court ruling has once again reaffirmed that the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline will continue operations throughout the winter, offering last-mile propane delivery businesses much-needed supply certainty as peak heating demand sets in. This decision, which blocks Michigan’s efforts to force a shutdown of the international pipeline, reduces near-term disruption risk for propane… Continue reading Line 5 Ruling Brings Winter Supply Stability, But Delivery Risks Remain

Why Should Driver Feedback Be Part of Safety Planning?

Safety planning is a foundation for any business that depends on vehicles and drivers. Roads are unpredictable, conditions change frequently, and every driver faces unique challenges every day. A safety plan documents how a business keeps drivers safe, but there is one key element that often gets overlooked: driver feedback. The people behind the wheel… Continue reading Why Should Driver Feedback Be Part of Safety Planning?

Photos and Data Strengthen Accountability in Propane Operations

Accountability matters in every part of propane operations. From delivery visits and safety checks to customer questions and internal reviews, clear records help businesses know what truly happened in the field. In recent years, photos and basic data have become powerful tools for building that clarity. When used correctly, they reduce disputes, improve performance, and… Continue reading Photos and Data Strengthen Accountability in Propane Operations

More Commercial Kitchens Are Choosing Propane

Commercial kitchens across the country are turning to propane more often for their everyday cooking and heating needs. This shift is not a fad; it comes from clear benefits that matter to kitchen performance, energy cost, and business operations. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel kitchen, cafeteria, or a food preparation facility, propane provides a number… Continue reading More Commercial Kitchens Are Choosing Propane

Stronger Operations Through Propane Depreciation Planning

Propane tanks are some of the most important assets in your business. They keep your customers supplied, support your service routes, and play a major role in how smoothly your operation runs every day. Tanks also come with long life cycles, ongoing maintenance needs, and real financial value. That value changes over time, and if… Continue reading Stronger Operations Through Propane Depreciation Planning