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

New proposed revisions to NFPA 58 are expected to significantly change how propane companies manage ASME tank inspections – particularly for older residential tank fleets. For many small and mid-sized propane marketers, the impact could show up quickly in both compliance workload and operating costs. A Major Shift in Tank Inspection Requirements Under the proposed… Continue reading NFPA 58 Inspection Changes Could Raise Costs for Propane Fleets as Early as 2027

Termination of safety‑concerned employee underscores need for stronger whistleblower protections in propane and gas infrastructure projects The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered a New Mexico‑based construction company to reinstate and compensate an inspector it fired after he raised safety concerns during a gas pipeline installation at an Oklahoma… Continue reading OSHA Rules New Mexico Firm for Wrongful Firing of Pipeline Inspector

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

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

LP Gas Magazine revisits Ryan McPherson, the 2022 Rising Leader who now serves as district manager for Pico Propane and Fuels. McPherson shares how he leverages data‑driven routing and crew safety tools to keep his territory profitable, noting that “the biggest margin driver this year is minimizing truck idle time.” His insights underline the growing importance of… Continue reading Today in Propane

Mergers and acquisitions are accelerating across the propane industry, reshaping competition for distributors, retailers, and family-owned operators nationwide. Over the past year, propane companies of every size have entered acquisition talks as rising operating costs, succession concerns, and demand for operational efficiency push more owners to consider strategic partnerships or outright sales. Industry analysts say… Continue reading Propane Industry M&A Wave Gains Speed as Buyers Hunt for Scale and Stability

On the afternoon of May 13, 2026, the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department responded to a pole barn fire in the Black Hills region of western South Dakota. Crews arriving on scene found the structure actively burning. During firefighting operations, propane tanks stored at or near the structure reached ignition conditions and exploded, producing visible flame… Continue reading Sturgis, South Dakota: Propane Tanks Explode During Pole Barn Fire

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

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

Fast Start to Growing Season Signals Potential Surge in Grain Drying Demand A strong start to the planting season is giving farmers reason for optimism, but it may also create new challenges for propane suppliers preparing for the second half of the year. Recent USDA crop progress data shows corn planting moving ahead of its… Continue reading Early Corn Planting Could Put Propane Marketers on the Clock

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

Rinnai America is making a major investment in domestic manufacturing with the opening of a new 306,000-square-foot facility in Griffin, Georgia – a move that could strengthen propane appliance supply chains and improve product availability for distributors across the U.S. The expansion reflects growing demand for propane-compatible heating and water-heating systems, particularly as homeowners and… Continue reading Rinnai Expands U.S. Manufacturing as Demand Grows for Propane-Ready Appliances

Midwest propane distributor Bergquist is expanding beyond fuel delivery and into mobile energy solutions through a new partnership with Evergreen Mobile Power. The company announced that it is now an authorized distributor for Evergreen’s line of propane-powered portable generators and mobile power systems, a move that reflects growing demand for cleaner and more flexible backup… Continue reading Bergquist Delves Into Portable Propane Power with Evergreen Partnership

Why New Energy Legislation Could Shape the Future of Small Propane Businesses The propane industry is entering a new phase of political and regulatory change – and much of the battle is happening at the state level. In Michigan, lawmakers recently passed House Bill 4486, a move widely viewed by industry groups as a major… Continue reading Michigan’s Propane Policy Win Signals a Bigger Fight Happening State by State

High Storage Levels May Create Rare Buying Opportunity for Propane Retailers The U.S. propane market may be headed into an unusually stable pricing period, according to the latest outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). New projections show propane inventories are expected to remain above the five-year average through late 2026, potentially putting downward… Continue reading Propane Prices Could Ease Through 2026 as Inventories Climb, EIA Says

Proposed legislation in New York, California, and Illinois is drawing sharp attention from the propane industry after lawmakers introduced nearly identical bills that would significantly expand required setback distances for propane storage tanks located near schools and daycare facilities. The proposals would increase minimum setback requirements from 25 feet to 75 feet in qualifying areas,… Continue reading Three States Move to Expand Propane Tank Setbacks Near Schools, Raising Industry Alarms

Builders and developers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware are increasingly turning to propane as the preferred energy source for new residential and mixed-use developments. According to GasTec Online, the shift is being driven by lower infrastructure costs, high-efficiency equipment, and propane’s ability to provide reliable heating during grid outages. For many suburban and… Continue reading Propane Gains Ground in New Construction Projects Across the Mid-Atlantic

Federal Refrigerant Rollback and State-Level Policy Wins Could Create a More Stable Business Climate for Propane Companies A series of recent policy changes at both the federal and state levels is signaling a meaningful shift for the propane industry. For propane retailers, delivery operators, and equipment suppliers, the message is becoming clearer: regulators are placing… Continue reading Regulatory Shift Gives Propane Industry New Momentum

Rising Travel Demand Is Tightening Fuel Markets Across the U.S. As Americans prepare for one of the busiest summer travel seasons in years, energy analysts are warning that rising gasoline and diesel demand could put pressure on fuel supply chains nationwide. Higher fuel prices, strained trucking networks, and increased transportation demand are already creating concern… Continue reading Summer Fuel Crunch Could Create New Challenges for Propane Delivery Companies