New York Gas Ban Upheld by US Court of Appeals

Editor’s Note: The following information was accurate at the time of publication.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on June 30 to uphold the New York gas ban (All-Electric Building Act), which bans gas appliances in most new buildings in the state. The decision confirmed that state and local electrification mandates are not preempted by federal law. This conflicts with the Ninth Circuit’s earlier decision on the same question. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and its coalition appealed on the basis that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) preempts state regulations on gas and electric appliances. They argued the laws “effectively set covered gas appliances’ maximum energy use to zero.” “I’m deeply disappointed with this decision,” said Stephen Kaminski, NPGA president and CEO. “We believe this decision misinterprets the scope of EPCA’s federal preemption provisions and, if allowed to stand, will limit the energy choices available to future homeowners and businesses constructing new buildings across New York.” NPGA is consulting with legal counsel on the potential for further appellate review and evaluating all available options to continue fighting against the ban. Earlier this year, the New York Secretary of State’s office made an agreement with NPGA to pause the ban — originally set to go into effect on Jan. 1 — until all available appeals have been exhausted. This gives the coalition time to examine next steps in the fight for energy choice in the state.

Campbell Oil Acquires Sail Energy’s New York Assets

Cetane Associates announced that Campbell Oil Co., based in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, acquired Sail Energy’s New York assets in a transaction that closed June 22. Sail Energy, based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, sold the assets as part of the deal. Sail Energy is a private equity-backed energy distribution company formed in 2014 to pursue growth through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Led by a veteran management team that has completed more than 100 acquisitions, Sail Energy serves over 30,000 customers throughout the Northeast. Through targeted acquisitions and integrated roll-up strategies, the company has established its presence in the region’s energy market. This transaction encompasses the sale of Hometowne Energy and Rinker Oil businesses previously acquired by Sail Energy. Following this transaction, the company will continue to focus on its New England operations, serving customers from Connecticut to Maine. Founded in 1948, Campbell Oil is a family-owned business with over 1,200 team members dedicated to providing high-quality propane, fuels, lubricants, wholesale energy services, convenience store and fast-food offerings. Built on a commitment to personalized customer care, Campbell Oil has earned a reputation for treating its team members and its customers like family while delivering dependable energy solutions. The company remains focused on its main mission of “leaving people better than it found them,” while serving as a trusted one-stop resource for petroleum service needs.

Propane Ninja Announces Ninja Liquids Rail Terminal

Propane Ninja announced the upcoming launch of the Ninja Liquids Rail Terminal, a propane supply and storage facility designed to strengthen fuel security, support economic growth and enhance emergency preparedness across Florida. At launch, the terminal will inject an additional 12 million gallons of propane into the regional market, helping address supply constraints during peak demand periods. Engineered with long-term throughput capacity exceeding 70 million gallons annually, the facility is expected to become a major propane supply hub for central Florida. The terminal’s rail infrastructure will allow propane to move directly from North American production sources into high-capacity storage, improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation delays for propane marketers, municipalities and commercial customers. Designed as an open-access facility, the terminal will be available to propane retailers throughout the market.

NPGA Applies for PHMSA HAZMAT Grants

Editor’s Note: A version of this press release appeared in NPGA’s The Bobtail. It was accurate at time of publication.

NPGA submitted three grant applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) seeking a combined total of $975,000 to support hazardous materials safety and emergency preparedness initiatives through fall of 2028. The applications were submitted under PHMSA’s Local Emergency Response Training, Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST) and Community Safety Grant programs. If awarded, these projects would expand NPGA’s ongoing efforts to improve hazardous materials transportation safety, strengthen emergency preparedness and enhance collaboration among the industry, emergency responders, public officials and community stakeholders. RAILSAFE, the largest proposal, would establish a nationwide hazardous materials emergency response training initiative focused on incidents involving flammable liquids, gases, corrosive materials and other hazardous products transported by rail. The project would utilize a blended training model combining electronic instruction with hands-on exercises and practical field training delivered through NPGA’s network of state and regional propane association affiliates. This project is supported by the Illinois Central Railroad Company and Wisconsin Central Ltd. (together known as CN), both operating as Class 1 railroads. Under the SPST program, NPGA proposed HAZMAT SAFE-T, a train-the-trainer initiative designed to increase the number of qualified hazardous materials instructors available to support statutorily responsible hazmat responders.