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.