the Propane page
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In order to keep
clutter down on the main page, this page will be dedicated to the
propane delivery issue. I anticipate quite a bit of discussion on this.
I am just getting started, so please watch for updates and PLEASE send
me your comments on the issue! Unlike the main page, this page will
read chronologically from top to bottom. From time to time, I may
remove old content which is no longer relevant.
I would like to
start putting a list together of everyone's propane situation so that
we can go to the propane vendors with some real facts and figures about
the amount of total "business" involved and the prospective impact of
their decisions. I have some details from some of you already. Will you
please write with your location, size of your tank, whether you own or
lease your tank, which vendor (if you lease), and if possible an
estimate of your annual volume? I know that some of you have been using
Doug's portable cylinders too. I'm not sure yet where we stand on
these but will try to find out. You can
certainly "do your own thing" if you want to, but I think we will get
better service and pricing if we work together. And if you do have some
success with a service committment from one of the vendors by your own
arrangement, will you please let me know so that I can spread the word?
Thanks,
Bruce
My situation: I own my 500-gallon tank, which is now empty,
and have been told by my previous vendor (Amerigas) that they will come back to
service it after the main road is rebuilt (i.e. several years from
now). Amerigas will probably never again be allowed to service my tank (road
or no road). I estimate my usage at 6-800 gallons per year. Each
fillup has been 350-400 gallons when near empty, so I am immediately
"in the market" for 400 or more as soon as someone can get it there.
Some of you may have have leased tanks from Amerigas, which other
vendors cannot or will not service without their permission. I have
been to their office to discuss this and they are aware of my concerns.
It is not yet known what can be done about this. The manager was not available at the time of my visit.
Amerigas Office, Mt. Vernon (360) 424-6119
Northern Energy, Everett (425) 353-3535, (800) 683-0115
Sunday April 8, Help is on the way!
As reported on
the main page, David Jacober, District Manager for Northern Energy
Propane, was here for most of the day on Saturday. He found the road
conditions to be acceptable for transport and he will personally drive their fuel truck in next Saturday
to resolve the immediate crisis for some of us. I cannot thank David
enough for taking the time to come up here and for his reassuring
commitment to provide us with service. Many thanks also to those of you
who are Northern Energy customers for your efforts to reach and influence NEP
which resulted in Dave's visit.
We surveyed as
many installed-tank locations as we could find with the available time.
Quite a few were already known to be serviced by NEP. Many are in great
shape at the current time for gas quantity. Not surprisingly, we do not
have enough total capacity among us to make this an "easy call" for any
vendor, given the distance, driving time and road conditions. After
considering the variety of portable cylinders serving many cabins (no
need for a truck) and the liklihood that annual volume is quite low,
even through some of the larger installed tanks, our best hope is a
vendor
who simply cares. I think we found one.
Armed with a few
gallons of "emergency fuel" he had brought along, Dave performed CPR on
my "dead" cabin and then went over to do the same for Steve &
Elaine Griffith. We are all very grateful to have our systems back
online for the season *AND* to have learned so much about how to take
care of things in the event of future, similar emergencies. We will now
make it through the week while we await Dave's return with the "big
truck" next weekend. Steve has kindly agreed to coordinate with Dave
next Saturday so that they can travel over the pass together.
For Amerigas
customers: Dave is aware of most of your tanks and their present
condition. He is planning to contact Amerigas management on our behalf
to see what can be done about taking care of them. There are several
possible scenarios. More later on this after we learn what they have to
say.
If you have capacity in your tank
(whether or not empty or low) - whether you own or lease your tank, and
regardless of which vendor - will you please let me know if you would
be willing to take fuel when Dave brings the truck next weekend? For
some of you, this is "just in case" Dave works something out with
Amerigas. Dave would like to deliver as much volume as possible with
one trip. It would be helpful to know the total need in advance so that
volume in the truck can be managed accordingly (for weight reasons).
The first 400 gallons are mine (but he can bring up to 3000). Dave is
working on a price for us and I expect to have the details Monday. I
have asked him to "level" the price for the entire delivery, so that
those needing smaller amounts will benefit from the larger volume of
the group.
Dave is aware of
at least one Hubbard account and describes them (and Greg) as "good
people." We appreciate that Greg has also been responsive and was, I
believe, also planning to come up to check the road - possibly today.
Dave knows Greg and will contact him as well to see if they can work
together in some manner of mutual benefit, since the trip is so
extensive for a small delivery.
Some Skyko 3
locations cannot be reached with a fuel truck due to the extensive
private road damage. In at least one case, the tank went downriver. We
discussed this situation on-site with some of the affected property
owners who were there. There are some options for dealing with this. I
will share what I know if you are affected and would like to contact me
for details. Dave wishes to caution that you should NOT plumb portable
cylinders (not even a small one) directly into systems. The pressure is
identical to that coming from a large tank. You need a two-stage
pressure regulator. Also, the volume (flow) will not likely be adequate
for some appliances.
Update
There is an update on the main page. The propane truck will be here on Saturday, April 14.
We need your orders (Amerigas customers too)!
This campaign is over. More recent news on the main page now.
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