Paula Wilson is Expected to Become the Next Chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

The Propane Education & Research Council is expected to get a new chairwoman in July. AmeriGas Propane Marketing Director Paula Wilson will succeed outgoing PERC Chairman Joe Armentano and will lead the council for a one-year term. Wilson's nomination was announced at PERC's recent meeting in Atlanta.

Read the announcement here.

New Collins Executive Shifts from Red to Yellow

With a background in the fire truck industry, Dan Peters comes to Collins Bus Corp. with a keen understanding of the importance of building a top-quality vehicle for the job of protecting people.

In February, Dan Peters was appointed to lead Collins Bus Corp., the Hutchinson, Kan.-based Type A school bus manufacturer.

Peters replaced Collins veteran Kent Tyler, who last year was named president and CEO of first responder apparatus manufacturer E-ONE Inc., which like Collins is an Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) company.

In announcing Peter’s appointment, company officials pointed to his 30 years of experience in developing strong customer relationships, team building and leading business growth.

“Dan’s proven record of leading businesses through consistent sales growth and, perhaps more importantly, his focus on developing organizations and maintaining strong customer relationships makes him an ideal leader for Collins Bus,” said James Meyer, chief operating officer of ASV.

Notably, Peters has experience in the specialty vehicle industry, having served five years with fire truck maker Pierce Manufacturing Inc.

In this interview with SBF Executive Editor Thomas McMahon, Peters discusses his outlook on the Type A school bus market, insights from his experience in the fire truck industry and more.

Read the full interview here.

PROPANE OUTLOOK POSITIVE WITH AUTOGAS, LANDSCAPE MARKETS ON THE RISE

The 2013 Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo in Atlanta last week drew 219 exhibitors and more than 2,800 registered attendees, including yours truly. Highlights included the propane-autogas-fueled S2G bobtail from Freightliner Custom Chassis, and the Roush CleanTech Ford F-650 chassis cab for medium-duty trucks.

Read the recap here.

Save the Dates and Visit us at the Western Trade Show and Convention

The 64th annual Western Propane Trade Show and Convention, the largest propane event west of the Mississippi River, will be held May 16-18 in Reno, Nevada. This year, for the first time, the Western Propane Convention welcomes the Pacific Propane Gas Association as a partner in the event, joining with the Arizona, Nevada, Rocky Mountain and Western Propane Gas Associations.

Together, we are offering even more for the propane industry, including education sessions focusing on new technologies, safety for you and your customers, and making your businesses strong in a difficult economy. The trade show, with more than 200 exhibiting companies, features the latest in propane products, vehicles, and services for the industry, giving attendees the opportunity for face-to-face discussions with a variety of company representatives. 

More than 1,100 propane industry members from around the United States and Canada will be there — so we hope to see you soon! The Arizona, Nevada, Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Western associations sponsor the convention.

More information and forms here.

May 16, 2013 - May 18, 2013
Reno, Nevada

Propane Autogas: Most Widely Used Alternative Fuel is Also Safest

Rise in U.S. Gas Production Fuels Unexpected Plunge in Emissions

U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions have fallen dramatically in recent years, in large part because the country is making more electricity with natural gas instead of coal.

Energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is widely believed to contribute to global warming, have fallen 12% between 2005 and 2012 and are at their lowest level since 1994, according to a recent estimate by the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Energy Department.

Read more here.

Student Transportation Inc. CEO Denis Gallagher on Getting to School Efficiently

View the video here.

Autoline; Wayne Moore Answers the Question, Is Liquid Propane the New Ethanol?

S2G Ride & Drive, Work Truck Show, March 2013

Great Recap of the 2013 Green Truck Summit

Second Class Inducted into LP Gas Hall of Fame

Six propane pioneers were enshrined Friday night into the LP Gas Hall of Fame during the second annual induction ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta. The six men inducted were Eugene V.N. Bissell (AmeriGas), Ronald “Zane” Chastain (LP Gas Magazine), William C. Hill (Pargas), Herbert V. Hills (IMPCO), Walter H. Johnson (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association) and Robert B. Nicholson (Eastern Propane Corp.).

About 100 retailers, manufacturers and allied trade representatives attended the event. Bissell and Nicholson (pictured at right) were on hand with their families. Bob Mayer of Blossman Gas accepted the hall of fame honor on behalf of Chastain; LP Gas accepted on behalf of the late Hill; Bob and Patty Eggink of Gann Products represented the late Hills; and NPGA’s Bruce Swiecicki accepted on behalf of Johnson. Chastain and Johnson were unable to attend.

The 2013 inductees join the inaugural hall of fame class, which includes Mark Anton, John Blossman, James Ferrell, Sam McTier, Robert Myers, Walter Snelling, Milford Therrell, H. Emerson Thomas and John Wallace.

Read more and nominate someone for 2014 here.

Propane Autogas Grabs Sales, Attention with Coverage of Fleet Wins

We’re breaking through.

Propane autogas is garnering customers among fleets large and small, creating a buzz in the alternative fuel market and with fleet managers.

And when Dish Network, the Fortune 500 satellite TV provider, announced in the PERC booth at the Work Truck Show in March that it would begin operating 200 Roush CleanTech Ford E-250 propane-autogas cargo vans, national media outlets were listening.

Dish said it could save as much as $2,500 per vehicle annually on fuel costs by switching from gasoline to propane autogas.

Those numbers got attention.  Read how much attention here.

IRS Extends Filing Deadline for Receiving Fuel Tax Credit

As the April 15th federal tax filing deadline quickly approaches, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is making things a little easier on those who qualify for the 2012 alternative fuel $.50 per gallon tax credit. The credit, which was retroactively extended through the "fiscal cliff" legislation earlier this year, recently received special filing procedures to extend the deadline to July 2nd, 2013.

For some quarterly filers, the deadline to receive the retroactive 2012 credit had already passed before the "fiscal cliff" legislation was even enacted on January 2nd. For the others, the IRS concluded that January 2nd to April 14th is not sufficient time to compile the necessary forms and paperwork to receive the tax credit. If you qualify to receive this credit, please check out the new IRS procedure here. 

Getting The Message Across on Propane Autogas

It never ceases to amaze me how little politicians know about Autogas – even in countries with an established Autogas market. And that suggests to me that the industry needs to work harder at educating the people who make policy and the public at large about Autogas and the unique benefits it offers.

-Editorial by Trevor Morgan, Editor, Autogas Updates

Inevitably, there is often confusion between Autogas – liquefied petroleum gas used as a transport fuel – and natural gas, usually in compressed form. That is understandable, as they are both gaseous fuels, though they are quite distinct in terms of their chemical and physical characteristics, as well as how convenient they are to use in practice. But in some cases, there is even confusion about the difference between Autogas and gasoline, not least in the United States, where of course gasoline is usually referred to as “gas”.

This represents a wasted opportunity, for Autogas has a lot going for it alongside the conventional fuels, gasoline and diesel, and the range of other alternative fuels on offer. Autogas beats conventional fuels on the environmental impact and, in many cases, on cost as well. What’s more, Autogas usually beats biofuels, natural gas and electric vehicles on cost and practicality. It is not for nothing that Autogas is the world’s leading alternative fuel bar biofuels.

Read more here.

Calvin Thorn of CleanFUEL USA Discusses the Conversion of Springfield Illinois' Fleets

CleanFUEL USA Celebrates 20th Anniversary by Announcing New Propane Autogas Products

Company showcases new, cost-effective alternative fuel station equipment and vehicles at propane event in Atlanta.

GEORGETOWN, Texas,  April 11, 2013

CleanFUEL USA commemorates 20 years of company history by featuring three new propane autogas products at the 2013 National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo, held this weekend in Atlanta.

The company will display two new autogas dispenser offerings in their booth, No. 516. Equipped to seamlessly fuel vehicles and cylinders, the redesigned CFT PRO 2200 features an expanded cabinet for easier installation and service. And the cost-effective Gasboy Autogas Dispenser conveniently integrates into existing fleet fueling systems.

“Since 1993, we’ve experienced company expansion driven by the growing need to find sustainable transportation fuel solutions that are both clean and economical,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and CEO of CleanFUEL USA. “As the nation’s first developer of Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) fuel systems, we will continue to support increasing customer demand by supplying the best technology available in both autogas dispenser and vehicle fuel system development.”

Over the past 20 years, CleanFUEL USA’s milestones include: placing more than 3,000 propane autogas vehicles on the road in North America; shipping almost 3,000 dispensers to 14 countries worldwide; expanding its staff tenfold, adding a manufacturing and production facility in Wixom, Mich., and receiving the 2005 Alternative Fuel Exporter of the Year award by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Freightliner S2G bobtail, equipped with CleanFUEL USA’s LPI technology, will be on display in the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation booth. Freightliner will conduct walk-around sessions to showcase the vehicle’s clean, cost-saving benefits and performance features. These sessions will be held on April 14 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and on April 15 at 11 a.m.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) also will display the PERC-funded S2G vehicle. CleanFUEL USA’s COO, Wayne Moore, will participate in the PERC-sponsored “Business Case for Propane Autogas: Present and Future” panel session April 13 at 12:30 p.m.

"CleanFUEL USA has developed quality propane autogas systems that help fleets cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, all while making propane autogas more readily available by helping to expand the nation’s refueling infrastructure,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC.
Propane autogas is the leading alternative fuel in the United States and the third most commonly used vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel. When compared with gasoline, vehicles fueled by propane autogas reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent and cost 30 to 40 percent less to fuel.

About CleanFUEL USA:
CleanFUEL USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems, is a leading manufacturer of propane autogas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas with an engineering division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental advantages. Learn more at cleanfuelusa.com.

Bearathon runner and CleanFUEL USA CFO back on course after near-death accident

When Mark Hager takes off in Saturday’s Bearathon, he won’t embark with any delusions of grandeur. They say that slow and steady wins the race, but Hager likes to joke that he’d have to be rolling downhill pushed by a tailwind just to reach slow.

Besides, winning the race isn’t his mission. He’s just grateful to run at all, to live.

Read more here.