propane logistics Archives - Propane Insider

Stable Supply, Uneven Markets: Why Regional Propane Pricing Still Matters

The long-term outlook for propane supply remains favorable thanks to strong domestic production and abundant natural gas liquids (NGL) output. However, propane retailers should not mistake national supply stability for uniform pricing. Regional transportation costs, storage availability, weather patterns, and local competition continue to create significant differences in wholesale and retail propane markets across the… Continue reading Stable Supply, Uneven Markets: Why Regional Propane Pricing Still Matters

ACE Driver Training Program Earns Federal Validation, Raising the Bar for Propane Fleet Safety

FMCSA audit confirms NPGA curriculum meets federal training standards for hazardous materials drivers. Safety training has always been one of the propane industry’s most important investments. Now, that commitment has received a significant endorsement from federal regulators. The National Propane Gas Association’s ACE (Advanced Commercial Education) driver training program has successfully passed an audit conducted… Continue reading ACE Driver Training Program Earns Federal Validation, Raising the Bar for Propane Fleet Safety

When Terminals Cap Loads Without Notice

During peak demand, supply constraints rarely announce themselves clearly. One of the more disruptive realities for propane marketers is the quiet imposition of load caps at terminals, limits on how much product a carrier can lift per day or per trip, often communicated informally or only after drivers are already in line. These restrictions are… Continue reading When Terminals Cap Loads Without Notice

Propane Industry Demands Clear Rules for Electric Hazmat Trucks

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is evaluating the safety of electric trucks hauling hazardous materials. In response, the Minnesota Propane Association (MPA) is actively highlighting critical ‘regulatory gaps’ that could compromise safety and create an uneven playing field. This proactive engagement by the propane industry aims to ensure that safety standards evolve… Continue reading Propane Industry Demands Clear Rules for Electric Hazmat Trucks

Food Truck Safety Requirements Create New Opportunities for Propane Providers

As food trucks continue to expand across cities, suburbs, festivals, and special events, safety requirements surrounding propane use are receiving increased attention from regulators and local officials. For propane providers, this shift represents more than a compliance issue – it presents an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and expand service offerings. Food trucks rely heavily… Continue reading Food Truck Safety Requirements Create New Opportunities for Propane Providers

Phillips 66 Expansion Signals Stronger Propane Supply Outlook for Distributors

New Processing Capacity Could Improve Market Stability for Propane Businesses Propane retailers have spent the past several years navigating supply uncertainty, transportation bottlenecks, and unpredictable seasonal demand. Now, a major infrastructure investment by Phillips 66 could help strengthen the supply chain and improve market flexibility for years to come. The company recently announced plans to… Continue reading Phillips 66 Expansion Signals Stronger Propane Supply Outlook for Distributors

Propane Transport Companies Honored with 2025 Pinnacle Award

Union Pacific Recognizes 138 Firms for Zero‑Release Rail Safety Excellence Union Pacific Railroad recently announced the recipients of its 2025 Pinnacle Award, a distinction reserved for companies that demonstrate “zero‑release” performance in hazardous‑material rail transport. Among the 138 honored firms, several propane distributors and logistics providers were highlighted for their rigorous safety protocols, advanced tracking… Continue reading Propane Transport Companies Honored with 2025 Pinnacle Award

Much-Needed Propane Inventory Growth

U.S. propane inventories are finally showing meaningful recovery, easing some of the supply pressure that challenged marketers over the past year. According to industry experts, national propane stockpiles climbed by roughly 1.2 million gallons over the last month, bringing total inventories to 11.4 million gallons – the highest level seen since early 2024. The increase… Continue reading Much-Needed Propane Inventory Growth

PERC Launches “Your Power Play” Campaign to Promote Propane Reliability

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) officially launched its new “Your Power Play” campaign on May 20, positioning propane as a dependable backup energy source as concerns about grid reliability continue to grow across the U.S. The campaign arrives amid increasing strain on electric infrastructure driven by extreme weather, rising power demand, wildfire-related shutoffs,… Continue reading PERC Launches “Your Power Play” Campaign to Promote Propane Reliability

Suburban Propane’s RNG Strategy Signals a Bigger Shift: Efficiency Is Now Tied to Tax Incentives

Regulatory changes tied to federal clean fuel incentives are starting to reshape how propane and energy companies think about operations, technology, and profitability. Recent earnings disclosures from Suburban Propane show how closely operational efficiency and tax strategy are now linked – especially in the growing renewable fuels segment. Clearer Rules Around Section 45Z Are Changing… Continue reading Suburban Propane’s RNG Strategy Signals a Bigger Shift: Efficiency Is Now Tied to Tax Incentives

U.S. Propane Exports Climb to Record Levels in 2025, Reshaping Supply and Pricing

In 2025, the United States shipped more propane overseas than ever before, signaling a major shift in how the fuel is produced, sold, and distributed. Industry data shows exports averaged about 1.81 million barrels per day throughout the year, underscoring strong global demand and a growing role for U.S. suppliers in international energy markets. That… Continue reading U.S. Propane Exports Climb to Record Levels in 2025, Reshaping Supply and Pricing

Key Industry Signals Every Propane Business Should Track

Industry events and conferences play a quiet but powerful role in shaping where the propane sector is headed. They are not just gatherings for networking or product displays. Rather, these events often reveal early signals about regulatory changes, supply trends, safety priorities, and operational shifts that affect propane businesses of all sizes. Paying close attention… Continue reading Key Industry Signals Every Propane Business Should Track

How Propane Marketers Must Think for the Next Decade

The next decade will not reward propane marketers who operate on stable assumptions. Supply patterns are shifting alongside export demand, infrastructure constraints are tightening in key corridors, and weather volatility is creating sharper demand swings. These changes are no longer theoretical, they are already affecting rack pricing, delivery timing, and customer expectations. For operators, this… Continue reading How Propane Marketers Must Think for the Next Decade

Why Early Movers Win When Propane Supply Tightens

Every propane business has lived through it – a pipeline constraint, terminal outage, rail delay, or sudden cold snap turns an otherwise manageable season into a daily triage exercise. When supply tightens, the difference between companies that scramble and those that stay operational usually comes down to what was done weeks or months earlier. Early… Continue reading Why Early Movers Win When Propane Supply Tightens

Why Safety Data May Be the Most Underrated Asset in Your Propane Business

Safety has always been fundamental to the propane industry, but a new push to centralize safety data could transform how companies manage risk and performance. Industry leaders, including the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), are advancing efforts to create a national propane safety data repository – an… Continue reading Why Safety Data May Be the Most Underrated Asset in Your Propane Business

Profit-Sharing Partnerships Promote Growth

In today’s propane industry, growth often comes from more than just winning new customers. It also arises from building strong partnerships that allow businesses to share resources, cut costs, and grow profits together. Profit-sharing partnerships in the propane sector can open doors to opportunities that might be out of reach for a single company on… Continue reading Profit-Sharing Partnerships Promote Growth

Improving Dispatch to Keep Customers Happy

Dispatching is at the heart of propane operations. Every delivery and service call depends on the ability to send the right driver to the right place at the right time. When dispatch systems are efficient, customers receive their propane on schedule, drivers avoid wasted miles, and businesses save on both time and fuel. But when… Continue reading Improving Dispatch to Keep Customers Happy

Smarter Workflows for Stronger Propane Warehouses

A propane warehouse is more than a storage site. It is the central hub where products are received, organized, and distributed to customers who depend on timely service. When warehouse workflows are smooth, deliveries stay on schedule, safety risks are reduced, and employees can work with confidence. But when operations are unorganized, even small delays… Continue reading Smarter Workflows for Stronger Propane Warehouses

Balancing Urban and Rural Propane Deliveries

Propane delivery is at the core of every propane business, but not all routes look the same. Urban and rural deliveries each come with their own set of challenges, and finding the right balance between them is key to keeping customers satisfied while running efficient operations. In cities, deliveries are often close together, but traffic… Continue reading Balancing Urban and Rural Propane Deliveries

Ways to Avoid Delays in Bulk Propane Delivery

Moving Propane in bulk is a critical part of keeping businesses, homes, and farms running smoothly. But getting large quantities of Propane Delivery from terminals to bulk plants – and eventually to end users – is no simple task. It involves tight schedules, heavy trucks, safety risks, and unpredictable delays. If just one part of… Continue reading Ways to Avoid Delays in Bulk Propane Delivery

When Propane Deliveries Go Wrong – And What You Can Do About It

No propane business wants to talk about delivery mistakes, but almost every company has had them. A tank gets skipped. A driver ends up at the wrong address. A customer runs out of gas because something was overlooked. It’s easy to feel frustrated or even embarrassed when unfortunate things happen, but these moments are more… Continue reading When Propane Deliveries Go Wrong – And What You Can Do About It

Serving More Customers Starts with the Right Location

Running a propane business means more than just keeping up with deliveries. It also means planning for growth. One way to achieve smart growth is by placing your operations where the demand is already high. When a certain area starts calling in more orders than usual, it may be time to ask yourself if a… Continue reading Serving More Customers Starts with the Right Location

Trucking Challenges That Could Slow You Down

Regarding propane delivery, the road that lies between the supply terminal and your customer matters more than you might think. If you’re running a propane company, you know how much time, money, and planning it takes to keep everything moving. But there’s one piece of the puzzle that’s often out of your control – the… Continue reading Trucking Challenges That Could Slow You Down

The Strategic Advantage of Investing in a Propane Storage Terminal

Expanding a propane business often requires a larger storage capacity to meet growing demand and reduce supply risks. Investing in a propane storage terminal can provide long-term advantages. However, it also comes with significant costs and operational challenges. Before making such a major investment, business owners should weigh the benefits and risks carefully. Understanding the… Continue reading The Strategic Advantage of Investing in a Propane Storage Terminal

Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Propane Logistics

Propane logistics is one of the most important aspects of running a successful propane business. From managing delivery schedules to tracking inventory, every part of the process must be carefully planned to keep operations running smoothly. Mistakes in logistics can lead to delays, lost revenue, and unhappy customers. Here are some of the most common… Continue reading Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Propane Logistics

Five Strategies for Propane Retailers to Optimize Tank Assets

The propane industry has always been a game of logistics, but in 2025, managing tank assets has become more critical than ever. While the tank shortages that plagued marketers in the early 2020s have eased somewhat, new pressures – supply chain disruptions, rising demand for clean energy, and unpredictable weather patterns – continue to test… Continue reading Five Strategies for Propane Retailers to Optimize Tank Assets