President Trump, joined at the White House by secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and members of Congress from coastal states, has signed the America First Offshore Energy Executive Order.  The order aims to expand offshore oil and gas exploration and production in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) through a review of the five-year leasing program and reconsideration of certain regulations pertaining to offshore energy potential.

In 2008, federal leasing revenues for the OCS were at nearly $18 billion.  In contrast, in 2016 leasing revenues were about $2.8 billion.  Zinke observed that is a drop of more than $15 billion that would otherwise go to the Treasury or toward funding important conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund.  Zinke states “that energy production is an absolute boon to the economy, supporting more than nine million jobs and supplying affordable power for manufacturing, home heating, and transportation needs.  Achieving American energy independence will strengthen our national security by eliminating out reliance on foreign oil and allowing us to assist our allies with their energy needs.”

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has released the pipeline industry’s Safety and Performance report.  It highlights the public benefits of pipelines and explains the extensive protections taken by operations to protect the public and the environment.

“Pipelines are one of the safest and most efficient ways to transport liquid energy,” said API pipeline manager David Murk.  “While nearly 100% of crude and petroleum products reach their destination safely, the industry remains committed to zero incidents.”

Data from the (EIA) Energy Information Administration show the majority of American households use one of three types of equipment as their main source of heat during the winter:  Natural-Propane gas furnaces, electric furnaces, or electric heat pumps.  The use of secondary heating sources, such as portable electric heaters and gas fireplaces, further contributes to the diverse ways households consume fuel to stay warm in the winter.

Broad ranges in winter temperatures and the capabilities of different technologies mean certain heating choices are better suited to various climates.  Overall, 47% of households reply on natural-propane gas as their main heating fuel, compared with 36% that depends on electricity.  The high cost of electric heating in colder climates (like last winter) has often limited the use of heat pumps and the electric equipment also the performance of electric pump in colder weather is poor.  This is where a gas forced air furnace steps in the provide 130⁰ warm air as compared to a heat pump with 95⁰ to 100⁰ air movement.  If a person is not comfortable in your house because cool air movement switch that heating system to warm, quick, and efficient propane gas.  You can also supplement an existing heating system with freestanding gas circulating heaters or gas fireplaces.

Our drivers are finishing up the heating account fill-ups and topping off all outdoor swimming pool accounts.  Swimming pool customers keep us posted with your fuel status.  We cannot anticipate when you start up your pool heaters.  Budget accounts need to complete the 2016-2017 budget year with your final payment and any remaining credit balances with be carried forward to Budget Year of 2017-2018 which begins June 1, 2017.  Any service work needed by our customers should be phoned into the office and our customer service rep’s will schedule service calls.  We are not as busy and have time to perform these tasks.  Thank you for your business this past winter.

Cordially,

John Buller and Sons