News Archives - Propane Insider

Today in Propane: Supply Resilience, Safety Discipline, and Strategic Positioning in 2026

The propane industry entered 2026 with a renewed focus on operational resilience and disciplined risk management. Recent supply disruptions and continued regulatory pressure have reinforced a practical reality for propane marketers: reliability, documentation, and infrastructure discipline directly affect margins, insurance exposure, and customer retention. Owners, operations managers, and dispatch teams are not reacting to headlines.… Continue reading Today in Propane: Supply Resilience, Safety Discipline, and Strategic Positioning in 2026

OSHA Emphasizes Confined Space Compliance in Bulk Plant Operations

Enforcement Trends Reinforce Documentation Discipline Recent OSHA enforcement activity across industrial storage and transport sectors serves as a timely reminder for propane marketers: confined space compliance remains an active inspection priority. While propane cargo tanks and bulk storage tanks are regulated primarily under DOT and PHMSA authority during transportation, employee entry into tanks, sumps, and… Continue reading OSHA Emphasizes Confined Space Compliance in Bulk Plant Operations

Propane Exports and the New Rack Reality

For decades, Midwest and Gulf Coast propane retailers operated with a working assumption: domestic production growth translated into supply confidence at the rack. That assumption is now less reliable. U.S. propane exports have climbed to record levels in recent years, with Gulf Coast terminals routinely loading more than 1.5 million barrels per day. The result… Continue reading Propane Exports and the New Rack Reality

Contracting vs. Spot Purchases: An Analysis

Why This Decision Still Drives Risk and Margin Every propane operation eventually faces the same question, usually under pressure. Do you lock in gallons through contracts, or do you ride the spot market and stay flexible? The answer is never hypothetical. It shows up in winter delivery reliability, cash flow stress, driver utilization, and uncomfortable… Continue reading Contracting vs. Spot Purchases: An Analysis

Today in Propane

LP Gas announced that Metsa Tanks has launched a refreshed website showcasing its full line of underground and above‑ground storage solutions. The new portal centralizes technical specifications, installation guidelines, and certification data, making it easier for engineers and specifiers to select the right tank for each application. The National Propane…

Work Truck Week showcases the latest in commercial vehicle innovation

Safety Innovations Drive Propane Industry Forward at Work Truck Week At this year’s Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, manufacturers showcased a wave of next‑generation commercial vehicles that promise to reshape how propane distributors transport product. Among the highlights were a lightweight, high‑strength chassis from Freightliner that trims vehicle weight by…

Released 2/25/2026

Regional price spreads widen amid tighter inventories and robust winter demand The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its latest Heating Oil and Propane Update on February 25, 2026, painting a mixed picture for the propane market. Wholesale residential propane prices climbed 4.2 % on the East Coast, holding steady…

PERC: Every Day Safe Program

New program gives operators practical tools for daily safety conversations and proactive risk management. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) unveiled its “Every Day Safe” program, a comprehensive safety toolkit designed to embed proactive safety habits into the daily routines of propane companies. Developed in partnership with industry safety…

Propane Inventories Remain Strong

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that U.S. propane inventories are holding steady despite the recent bout of severe winter weather that battered the Northeast. Stockpiles remain comfortably above the five‑year average, giving the market a cushion that helps mitigate the surge in residential heating demand caused by the…

NPGA’s Response to State of the Union

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) swiftly responded to the President’s State of the Union address, highlighting how domestic propane production underpins both economic growth and national security. The administration’s emphasis on clean‑energy transition and resilient supply chains aligns with propane’s low‑carbon footprint and its role as a reliable bridge…

2026 State Taxman

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…

Released 2/25/2026

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its latest Heating Oil and Propane Update on February 25, 2026, and the headline is clear: residential propane prices are climbing across most regions. The Midwest experienced the steepest jump, with average retail rates climbing to $3.12 per gallon—a 7 % increase from the…

Requirements for propane generator system installation

Backup generators have become essential assets for commercial and residential customers seeking reliable power during outages, and propane‑fueled units are prized for their clean burn and long‑run capability. In his recent guide, industry veteran Randy Warner outlines the critical steps installers must follow to keep these systems operating safely and…

Today in Propane

Rinnai America has appointed veteran product developer Joe Gresham as its new Vice President of Innovation. Gresham will guide the next generation of water heaters, boilers and commercial appliances, emphasizing higher efficiency and smart‑control features that appeal to both residential users and fleet operators. Metsa Tanks has launched a freshly…

Reliability Is the Real Profit Engine in Propane Delivery

In propane delivery, capitalism doesn’t reward the loudest marketing or the lowest posted price for long. It rewards the operator who shows up on time, every time, especially when conditions are tight. Reliability has become the industry’s quiet differentiator because it sits at the intersection of operations, risk management, and customer trust. Missed fills, rushed… Continue reading Reliability Is the Real Profit Engine in Propane Delivery

Stop Losing Money on Small Propane Drops

Small, frequent deliveries are quietly eroding margins across the retail propane industry. On paper, a 60-gallon stop still generates revenue. In practice, it often fails to cover the fully loaded cost of rolling a bobtail: driver time, truck depreciation, insurance, dispatch labor, and working capital tied up in inventory. With tighter driver availability and higher… Continue reading Stop Losing Money on Small Propane Drops

Build a Monthly Compliance Cadence That Prevents Surprises

For many propane marketers, compliance still shows up as a spike on the calendar. Internal audits happen in a rush before a state inspection. CETP records get updated after a near-miss. Vehicle files are reviewed when insurance renewals approach. That annual scramble creates operational drag and exposes the business to preventable risk. NFPA 58 is… Continue reading Build a Monthly Compliance Cadence That Prevents Surprises

Today in Propane

A quick look at some of the key developments that have recently been moving the propane market: Propane Prices Strengthen Mid-Month Mid-February pricing at Mont Belvieu and Conway ticked higher, with propane reaching $0.64 per gallon on February19, up 0.45% from the previous day. While not dramatic, the move signals continued firmness compared to January… Continue reading Today in Propane

PHMSA Modernizes Bobtail Inspection Rules for 2026

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

Propane Companies Face a Driver Crunch: Here’s How Family Businesses Are Fighting Back

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

As Fuel Dealers Near Retirement, Private Equity Steps In

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

February 2026 Canadian Propane Inventories Down From January

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…

Help arrives for Mississippi communities after Winter Storm Fern

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…

EDP acquires Hocon Gas

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 on what propane retailers can do to sleep better at night

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…

Released 2/25/2026

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…

Bergquist Inc. partners with Evergreen Mobile Power to distribute LPG solutions

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…

Requirements for propane generator system installation

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….

2026 Top Propane Retailers: Highest gallon sales

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…

Finding Your Top 10 Risk Accounts Before They Find You

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