Today's Third Thursday PERC Webinar

The December Third Thursday webinar, Propane Fueled Generators, will feature Scott McCaskey and Ryan Schmitt from Generac Power Systems. They will provide an overview of propane generators and their benefit. Please join us on December 20, 2012 at 11 a.m. ET for this one hour webinar.

Join here.

Propane-fueled school buses meeting expectations

Hall County recently introduced 20 alternatively powered buses to its fleet and is already looking to add more.

Over the summer, Hall County Schools purchased 20 buses that run on liquefied petroleum gas, or propane, as it’s more commonly known. 

The buses, officials and drivers said, have met expectations and the system has signed on to add 10 more, including six special education buses. 

“We’re still very pleased with them,” said Jewel Armour, Hall County Schools executive director of operations. “The drivers seemed to be very pleased. I’ve really heard nothing but good reports from them.” 

Read more here

Alternative Fuels, Cheaper Fuel.

There was a time when rising oil prices and gasoline shortages made fuels like propane, natural gas and biodiesel popular alternatives, but where are they now?

The 30 propane stations scattered around the GTA these days is a paltry sum when there were hundreds in the 80s and 90s and though they’re mostly found today where taxis and fleet vehicles fill up around the airport and industrial zones, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is still the most practical alternative fuel for internal combustion engines.

A by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, propane has a well-established infrastructure and it’s really the only alternate fuel that can be purchased from coast to coast and in all the urban and rural areas in between.

It’s cheap at half the price of gasoline, Canada’s got a wealth of it on hand and in the ground, it burns cleaner than gasoline, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 27 per cent, and produces 50 per cent fewer toxins and other smog-causing pollutants than gasoline.

Read more here.

City of Lake Charles eyes possible propane switch

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -  As gas prices continue to rise, the City of Lake Charles is looking at ways to potentially save money by switching over to propane for public works equipment. Like many cities across the country, switching to cleaner energy has become a better solution to saving money, according to officials.

"We've looked for several years about trying to go to some kind of alternative fuel," Director of the Department of Public Works, Mister Edwards said.

Edwards said the city researched the propane program for the past five years. He said public works will test the use of propane on a few lawnmowers before making the transition to propane on all of the utilities and even the vehicles.

Read more here.

Stormy energy history repeats itself

By Roy Willis, president and CEO, Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) 

Since 1998, he has led implementation on a multidisciplinary program of research and development, education, safety, and training. Also the former chairman of the National Energy Resources Organization, Willis is the founding chairman of the Global Technology Network of the World LP Gas Association.
 
Hurricane Sandy reminds us how vulnerable we are to Mother Nature. With wind and water she can wreak havoc, leaving us in the dark and cold, disconnected from the internet and news of the world, standing in long lines for a few gallons of gasoline, and searching for a cell phone signal, hoping the battery doesn't die first.

Read the rest of the article here.

CleanFUEL USA and Menards Announce Opening of 37 Propane Autogas Fueling Stations

Menards adds propane autogas vehicles and on-site fueling stations

GEORGETOWN, Texas – December 10, 2012 – CleanFUEL USA, a leading supplier of propane autogas infrastructure and engine systems, today announced the installation of 37 propane autogas fueling stations at Menards home improvement stores. Thirty-six Menards locations throughout Illinois, as well as their Eau Claire West store in Wisconsin, will now offer publicly accessible propane refueling.

The new autogas fueling stations are a collaborative effort between CleanFUEL USA and Ferrellgas, a nationwide propane provider; CleanFUEL USA provided the PRO2110 dispenser and 1,000-gallon tanks, and Ferrellgas provided installation services and propane for each location. The Menards retail sites will be open during regular business hours to provide fuel for propane-powered vehicles and cylinders used on gas grills and recreational vehicles.

Menards’ Hodgkins, Ill., store, located at 6100 East Avenue, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 12 at 10 a.m. to officially open its new station. The event, which will include a propane autogas vehicle display and fueling demonstration, is open to the public. Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education and Research Council, will be a featured speaker at the ceremony.

The autogas station project was funded through a $12 million grant from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Texas State Technical College (TSTC) serves as the lead grantee of the funds, which support the development of a national propane Autogas refueling network, incentives to convert school buses and other fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, and training for green jobs. The DOE estimates that the initiative will help displace millions of gallons of petroleum annually and retrain U.S. veterans, fleet mechanics, and service technicians for work in the alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology industries.

In addition to installing the autogas fueling stations, Menards partnered with Icom North America to convert 140 new Ford pick-up trucks to propane autogas for store operation use at these 37 Menards locations. The Icom, JTG II Liquid Injection System allows the propane vehicle to enjoy similar drive-ability and performance to gasoline with reduced emissions and large fuel cost savings. These same stores will also be receiving propane powered forklifts to replace their existing diesel powered forklifts, with the changeover already taking place at Eau Claire West. Menards also plans to steadily convert its store operation vehicles from gasoline and diesel to propane at other store locations, adding propane autogas fueling stations in the process.

Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, behind gasoline and diesel, and is proven to be a more attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. As the lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, propane autogas averages 40 to 50 percent less than gasoline and diesel per gallon. There are more than 52,000 propane autogas refueling stations and 17 million propane-powered vehicles worldwide.

Tweet this: @CleanFUEL USA and Menards announce opening of 37 new propane autogas fueling stations: http://bit.ly/Vb3I4r


Company Quotes: “Propane is a reliable alternative fuel that is clean, safe and cost effective. We’re glad to be advancing our company forward into this growing market as propane is a cleaner burning fuel and less expensive, so it’s a win-win for everyone.” - Jeff Abbott, Menards, Inc. spokesperson

 “I have worked at Menards for 12 years and after driving one of our first propane-powered pickups, found there is no difference in performance or drivability when compared to a gasoline powered pickup truck. My wife and third-grade daughter brag to their friends that I drive a more environmentally friendly pickup. It’s really a cool thing!” - Kyle Krause, General Manager, Menards in Hodgkins, Ill.

“One of the main goals of our grant was to establish a national network of propane autogas refueling locations. The addition of 37 Menards store sites accelerates the initiative to expand the use of propane autogas in the U.S. dramatically.”
- Anita Knight, Principal Investigator for the DOE ARRA grant program, Texas State Technical College

“Menards is clearly at the forefront in the home improvement retail world in providing environmentally friendly fuels to the public. Their plans to continue expanding the availability of autogas, which provides the same or better performance as gasoline, will benefit their customers, giving them a wider choice of fueling options.”
- Curtis Donaldson, founder and CEO, CleanFUEL USA

About CleanFUEL USA

As a truly visionary company, CleanFUEL USA was the first to develop liquid propane fuel injection systems in the U.S. CleanFUEL also manufactures propane autogas dispensers and fueling infrastructure and owns and franchises fueling locations across the U.S. Established in 1993, CleanFUEL is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with vehicle engineering offices in Novi, Michigan. CleanFUEL USA provides the total alternative fuel solution with superior economic and environmental advantages.

About Menards

Menards is well-known throughout the Midwest for their complete selection of high-quality, name brand merchandise and the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs. Whether you’re a beginning do-it-yourselfer or more experienced contractor, there is something for everyone at Menards from just needing a light bulb or can or paint to building a deck or new home. As always, Menards is known for its excellent guest service and is the place to “Save Big Money.” To locate a store near you, please visit www.menards.com

About Icom North America, LLC

Icom North America, LLC, is a U.S.-based company which designs, develops, manufactures, certifies and integrates the patented Icom JTG Liquid Injection Propane systems and additional Icom products. Icom offers a total fleet solution including the patented: JTG II, JTGhp for Direct Injection, JTG-Dynamic for Diesel engines, numerous tank solutions and designs featuring the patented Torodial Tank for commercial and passenger OEM as well as aftermarket vehicles in North America and selected other markets. Installation and service is available across the USA and Canada. All products utilize a high U.S. content. North American headquarters are in New Hudson, Michigan.

Media Contacts

Crystelle Markley
CleanFUEL USA
(512) 864-0300         (512) 864-0300    
crystelle@cleanfuelusa.com

Judy Racino
Lois Paul and Partners for CleanFUEL USA
(512) 638-5308         (512) 638-5308    
judy_racino@lpp.com

Jeff Abbott
Menards
(715) 876-4086             (715) 876-4086      
jabbott@menard-inc.com

Yvonne Guibord
Icom North America
(248) 573-4934           (248) 573-4934    
yvonne@icomnorthamerica.com

Four fleets share their stories on the process of acquiring and converting vehicles to propane autogas and building the fueling infrastructure.

Lewis Pest Control is a family-owned residential and commercial pest control company serving South Alabama and Southeast Mississippi. Of 40 total fleet units, the company converted eight to run on propane autogas: three Chevrolet ½-ton and two ¾-ton pickups as well as three Ford F-150s. Two more conversions are on the way. Lewis uses a Prins bi-fuel propane system, which starts on gasoline and switches to propane after the engine heats up.

Read more about Lewis Pest and how much they saved in operating costs here.

GM Propane Autogas G4500 Cutaway - A Solution for every Business

Whether it's meeting companywide initiatives or government standards, fleet managers face many challenges. GM is thinking ahead with its fully integrated, factory installed, single-invoice CleanFUEL USA LPG system, backed by GM's 5-year/100,000 mile Powertrain Warranty.

To see specs and download a brochure, click here.

5 Reasons Why Construction Pros Should Drive Trucks Fueled by Propane Autogas

In today's tight economy, builders, remodelers, and other construction pros are always looking for ways to cut costs. One option? Switch from gasoline (or diesel) to propane autogas. Companies with fleet vehicles — buses, taxis, shuttles, and the like — caught on to the benefits of propane autogas a while back. Now it's time for owners of light- and medium-duty trucks and vans to do the same.

Here are five reasons why pros should consider making the switch.

SMART SCHOOLS RUN PROPANE BUSES

The momentum is building for propane-autogas-fueled school buses.

The autogas industry just notched a big win in delivering 134 propane-fueled buses to the Portland (Ore.) and Seattle school districts, School Transportation News reported. And remember, Portland schools have been operating autogas-fueled buses for about 20 years. To re-up and buy even more buses is a strong statement of support in these tight financial times.

Read more here.

Propane-fueled school buses meeting expectations

Hall County recently introduced 20 alternatively powered buses to its fleet and is already looking to add more.

Over the summer, Hall County Schools purchased 20 buses that run on liquefied petroleum gas, or propane, as it’s more commonly known.

The buses, officials and drivers said, have met expectations and the system has signed on to add 10 more, including six special education buses.

“We’re still very pleased with them,” said Jewel Armour, Hall County Schools executive director of operations. “The drivers seemed to be very pleased. I’ve really heard nothing but good reports from them.”

Read more here.

W.Va. Could Have Propane-Powered School Buses in 2013

The next generation of propane-powered school buses in West Virginia could be on the road at the beginning of the next school year.

The West Virginia Board of Education on Oct. 4 approved a request from the state Department of Education to allow it to include propane as an alternative fuel in the specifications for school buses.

Because of funding cycles and the fiscal year, state money to help with the purchase of propane-powered buses won't be available until July 1, said Bob Shew, transportation director for the state Department of Education.

West Virginia's public schools buy about 200 buses a year, Shew said.

"It remains to be seen as to how quickly the county are willing to take advantage of the 40 percent reduction in fuel costs," he said.

Read more here.

CleanFUEL USA and Collins Bus Corporation Deliver More than 100 Propane Autogas-Powered Buses

GEORGETOWN, Texas –– November 14, 2012 – CleanFUEL USA and Collins Bus Corporation today announced the delivery of 134 propane autogas school buses to First Student, Inc., the largest provider of student transportation services in North America. The buses will be used by First Student to provide bus service to Seattle Public Schools and Portland Public Schools.

The purchase of the buses was made possible through a grant provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as part of a national effort to establish networks of propane autogas refueling stations and incentivize the use of propane powered vehicles. Through this effort, the DOE estimates millions of gallons of petroleum will be displaced annually, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.  First Student received a grant of $890,000 toward the purchase of 89 buses placed in service for Portland Public Schools and $450,000 for 45 buses to be used in Seattle.

The Collins propane powered NEXBUS used by First Student is Collins’ latest design, offering superior strength and safety through innovative features such as high-strength tube steel roof bows and increased driver visibility. The NEXBUS is Altoona tested and certified and meets or exceeds all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) certifications for school transportation, including the highest standards for fuel system integrity. The bus is built on a dual rear-wheel GM chassis, utilizing the GM 6.0 liter engine. It exhibits an estimated range in excess of 300 miles and is available in capacities up to 32 passengers. The propane autogas fuel system was developed in partnership with CleanFUEL USA and has obtained certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.  

CleanFUEL USA, along with the DOE, Collins Bus Corporation and First Student, will hold a check presentation and media event for the Portland and Seattle Public Schools at Jefferson High School in Portland on Thursday, November 15 at 10 a.m. PST. The event is open to the public.

Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, behind gasoline and diesel, and is proven to be a more attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. As the lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, propane autogas averages 40 to 50 percent less emissions than gasoline and diesel per gallon. There are more than 52,000 propane autogas refueling stations and 17 million propane-powered vehicles worldwide.

Rick Wallace, Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities
John Doswell, Collins Bus Corp
Mark Karney, General Motors
Tucker Perkins, PERC
Teri Brady, Portland Public Schools
Cal Hull, First Student

Making the Case for Propane: From Gas Grills to Cars and Trucks

I’m sitting in a coffee shop with Roy Willis, propane advocate, who’s driven up from New York City to lobby me on using his fuel in cars and trucks, and darn if he isn’t making a compelling case. Why aren’t we using propane—the same stuff as in your backyard gas grille—in our cars? It's possible. Today's internal-combustion cars and trucks can run on CNG, LNG or propane with some fairly simple engine modifications.

Read more here.

Bonham ISD to purchase five propane school buses

The Bonham Independent School District is pleased to announce the purchase of five propane buses to be delivered shortly after the first of the year. The buses were partially funded by grants from Cleanfuel, USA and The Texas Railroad Commission.

The district would like to extend a thank you to the individuals who were involved in the procurement of the grants. Scott Miller and Jarrett Campbell of McCraw Oil, with the assistance of Cheryl Gaines of One Stop Bus Stop, Inc. were instrumental in doing research and writing the grant proposals. The district was able to procure $115,000 in grant money due to the efforts of Scott, Jarrett and Cheryl.

Texas Railroad Commission Touts Importance of Autogas as Fuel

Extolling the virtues of propane and helping the public access alternative fueled vehicles was the purpose of a workshop held by the Railroad Commission Wednesday at Gas and Supply Company near Mineola

The event drew representatives from a variety of entities across Texas, several of whom took part in the Incentives for Propane Fleets program held at the Mineola company. School districts from Lindale, Greenville, Melissa, Carthage, Dallas as well as representatives from the city of Temple were at the seminar.

Read more here.

Fleet Operators Looking at Propane Autogas

For fleet operators, the cost of fuel puts the brakes on their efforts to run at their most efficient. That has some operators looking at such alternative fuels as propane autogas, according to a new study.

Fleet operators spend about 90 percent of their operating costs every month on gasoline or diesel fuel, according to the annual study of fleet operating costs from Automotive Fleet magazine. This holds true for virtually every vehicle type that fleets use – compact and intermediate cars, vans, light trucks, and SUVs.

Read More Here.

Portland and Seattle Public Schools Recognized for Commitment to Autogas

CleanFUEL USA, Collins Bus Corporation and First Student America invite you to presentation from the US Department of Energy for Portland & Seattle Public Schools recognizing their commitment to alternative fuels through the purchase of over 100 propane autogas fueled school buses.

Thursday, November 15th at 10am

Jefferson High School

5210 North Kerby

Portland, Oregon

RRC Hosts Fleet Operator Workshops on Propane Vehicle Incentives

Austin – The Texas Railroad Commission—Texas’ top energy agency— is hosting a series of workshops statewide to help fleet operators take advantage of grant opportunities for propane-fueled vehicles.  The grants help offset the upfront cost of propane vehicles and propane refueling infrastructure.

Commissioner David Porter said, “Seventy-five Texas school districts run propane school buses and save millions of dollars in fuel costs every year.”

Commissioner Buddy Garcia said, “At these workshops, participants can ride the latest ultralow-emission propane vehicles and talk directly with fleet managers about refueling, incentives, cost-effectiveness and availability.”

For more information on how you can switch to alternative fuels to lower fuel costs, help fight pollution and learn about incentives that are available, contact the Railroad Commission’s Alternative Energy Division at (800) 64-CLEAR.

DAY	DATE	CITY	TIME	LOCATION	ADDRESS
Wednesday	October 24	Mineola	9-12 noon	Gas and Supply Co.	1677 Hwy 69 South
Friday	November 9	Edinburg	9-12 noon	Region 1 ESC	1900 W. Schunior
Tuesday	November 13	San Antonio	9-12 noon	Alamo Area COG	8700 Tesoro Dr.
Wednesday	November 14	Humble	9-12 noon	Humble ISD	1703 Wilson

Propane Autogas and NPGA Featured on Platts Energy Week

Richard Roldan, president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association, joined Bill Loveless, host of Platts Energy Week, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

Expanding supplies of propane have led to new market opportunities for our fuel including use in fleets, commercial, and residential markets.  The interview focused on what the propane industry is doing to grow these markets and expand the use of clean, domestic, and abundant propane.

Watch the interview here

Texas Municipality Taking A Deeper Dive Into Propane Autogas

The City of Temple, Texas, is working with CleanFuel USA and Public Solutions Group to convert 11 of its fleet vehicles to run on propane autogas. The project is getting support from the Clean Start Propane Refueling,Vehicle Incentive & Outreach Program, which Texas State Technical College administers.

Right now, there are four autogas-powered vehicles in the city's fleet of 425 vehicles (38% "general" vehicles, 38% light trucks, 22% heavy trucks and 2% motorcycles). Most of these vehicles accumulate at least 120,000 miles each over their average seven-year lifetimes.

Read more here.