When propane prices fall well below crude oil benchmarks like West Texas Intermediate (WTI), it tends to grab attention fast. On the surface, cheap propane looks like a win for domestic retailers and end users alike. Margins can improve, customer resistance eases, and storage economics feel more forgiving. But for operators who manage supply risk,… Continue reading Propane Priced Low vs. WTI: Opportunity or Warning?
The propane delivery industry is experiencing a technological revolution. Customers now expect faster, more accurate service, and propane companies must operate with greater efficiency while still maintaining strong safety and reliability. Emerging technologies, from mobile apps to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, are transforming how deliveries are managed, monitored, and optimized, thereby allowing businesses to… Continue reading From Manual Processes to Smart Operations
Heavy winter demand is now fully upon the U.S. propane industry, with a major snow and ice storm having just swept across much of the country. With this massive winter weather event, the operational tests of 2026 have been kicked into high gear. Across numerous states, leaders have declared disaster and emergency responses to delivery… Continue reading 2026’s First Big Test for Propane Fleets
New York’s steady push toward all-electric construction is no longer a distant policy debate. It is already reshaping project specs, appliance decisions, and builder conversations across large parts of the state. For propane operators, the risk is not abstract. Fewer combustion appliances in new builds directly translate into lost gallons, stranded tank assets, and reduced… Continue reading Protecting Propane Gallons as New York Pushes All-Electric
As energy markets pivot toward lower emissions and greater sustainability, renewable propane is emerging as a practical, near‑term solution that offers immediate benefits for delivery companies and its customers. According to research highlighted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), renewable propane can… Continue reading Why Renewable Propane Is Becoming a Strategic Advantage for Delivery
Pipeline disruptions rarely announce themselves on a convenient schedule. Whether caused by mechanical failure, weather events, third-party damage, or regulatory shutdowns, even short interruptions can ripple quickly through propane supply chains. For propane businesses, the impact is not theoretical. It shows up in allocation limits, rack delays, unexpected transport premiums, and challenging, uncomfortable customer conversations.… Continue reading Pipeline Disruptions and the Operational Ripple Effect
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
Winter is often the season when propane companies feel pressure from every direction at once. Colder weather increases delivery demand, operating hours stretch longer into the evening, and costs tied to fuel, labor, and equipment rise quickly. At the same time, many companies are reviewing year-end numbers and getting a jump start on early tax… Continue reading IRS Fuel Tax Credit: What Can You Claim This Winter?
On paper, the U.S. propane market has never looked stronger. National inventories are at record levels, and domestic production continues to climb. These fundamentals reinforce propane’s role as a reliable, affordable, and transportable energy source across residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial markets. Yet many delivery companies are discovering that strong national supply does not guarantee… Continue reading Record Propane Supply, Real-World Bottlenecks
The newly approved strategic plan of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for 2026 offers important insight into where the propane industry is headed and how delivery companies can prepare. The plan emphasizes three core priorities: safety leadership, workforce development, and targeted market growth – all aimed at strengthening propane’s long-term position in the… Continue reading What PERC’s 2026 Strategy Signals for the Future of Propane Delivery
Recent long-term LPG contracts between U.S. suppliers and India highlight a significant shift in global propane and LPG dynamics. India, one of the world’s fastest-growing LPG markets, is actively securing long-term supply agreements to support expanding household and commercial usage. These contracts, set to begin in the next few years, demonstrate increasing international demand for… Continue reading India’s Growing Interest in U.S. LPG Signals Long-Term Supply Competition
Winter supply disruptions and extended driver hours continue to expose staffing gaps at propane delivery companies, making early driver recruitment and structured training critical to maintaining safety, service reliability, and customer trust. Winter has arrived with increased propane demand, just as supply-side disruptions have placed added strain on delivery operations. In mid-December, a significant issue… Continue reading How Ready Is Your Team for Driver Recruitment This Winter?
Running a propane delivery business takes constant coordination. Tanks must be tracked, safety forms must be managed, customers expect clear communication, and delivery routes change from day to day. Many business owners still handle these tasks by utilizing paper notes, their memory, or scattered spreadsheets – old school methods that often lead to errors or… Continue reading Smart Digital Tools Improve Daily Operations for Propane Companies
Efforts to preserve consumer and business access to a range of energy options, including propane, continue to gain traction across the United States. Over the past several years, a growing number of states have enacted legislation designed to protect the right to choose energy sources for homes, businesses, and agricultural operations. These policies, often referred… Continue reading Preservation of Energy Choice Gains Momentum Across the U.S.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released its winter energy outlook, projecting a notable divergence in heating costs across the major fuel types. According to the forecast, propane and natural gas heating costs are expected to decline, while electric heating may become slightly more expensive compared to last year. Propane users, in particular, could… Continue reading EIA Forecast Predicts Lower Propane Heating Costs This Winter
Holiday seasons bring a mix of heavier traffic, tighter schedules, and unpredictable weather. Roads that are normally manageable become crowded with travelers, delivery delays become more common, and winter weather conditions can change within hours. In the midst of these challenges, route planning is no longer just a routine task for propane delivery companies. Rather,… Continue reading Route Planning Becomes Critical During Holiday Traffic and Weather
