Derek Roch

Autogas is a growing sector of the propane industry — one that’s important to stay informed about as the industry works harder and harder to get more fleets to implement the fuel. Ahead, Derek Rimko, vice president of operations for Superior Energy Systems, and Todd Mouw, executive vice president for ROUSH CleanTech, provide insights into refueling infrastructure, the best talking points in discussions with fleet management, and why this fuel stands out as the superior choice for propane marketers as well.

The upcoming school year could bring another step toward an all-green fleet for the North Penn School District.

School board members heard an update this week on the district transportation department’s budget for 2024-25, including another round of propane-fueled school buses that could be on the way.

A Sunday Green Bus Summit session invited districts with propane and electric school buses to compare the two and share how they are both being used to meet emissions goals.

David Walters, director of autogas business development for session sponsor the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), reviewed the cost and emissions savings that propane has brought districts but noted that many of today’s mandates require zero-emissions vehicles, which means electric school buses (ESBs).

On a recent episode of the “Path to Zero” podcast, I spoke with Christine Obiaya, CEO of Heliogen. Her company uses concentrated solar energy, augmented with artificial intelligence, to create heat and energy storage for a variety of applications. I sat fascinated as she explained how her company’s technology combines with other technology to create green hydrogen.

So why was I, a propane guy, talking with a solar expert about green hydrogen?

With Low Carbon Fuel Standards, Clean Heat Standards and similar laws under consideration in most states, renewable fuels have gotten a lot of attention. One of these is renewable propane. Recently, renewable propane was lambasted in a news article published by The Guardian and Heated. But despite the smears in these publications, the facts are quite different.

With roughly 2,000 students out of the 3,500-student population riding buses to and from school, the Hannibal Public School District is working to update its aging fleet of diesel buses with propane-fueled alternatives.

Right now, the district has 10 propane buses – eight from Blue Bird and two from Navistar’s IC Bus – operating on routes, along with an on-site propane autogas station.

A major factor in the adoption of alternative fuels is location. For DDA Transport, its New England operations limited its options.

DDA’s primary business is as a postal contractor, transporting local mail in medium-duty straight trucks and linehaul mail between postal distribution centers in New Hampshire and Vermont.