AmeriGas Prepares for Hurricane Irene; Urges Propane Users: Be Ready, Be Safe

VALLEY FORGE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With forecasters calling for Hurricane Irene to hit the East Coast this weekend, AmeriGas Propane, Inc., the general partner of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (NYSE: APU) and the nation’s largest distributor of propane, is preparing for the storm and its aftermath.

“With operations in 46 states, AmeriGas encounters weather emergencies of one sort or another virtually every year”

The company’s President and CEO, Gene Bissell, said, “During the extended power outages that sometimes accompany hurricanes, Americans depend more than ever on propane, especially to fuel stand-by electrical generators and propane barbecues.”

Propane powered generators provide back-up electricity for critical institutions, like hospitals, police and fire stations, as well as the home improvement centers that carry the products needed for recovery after a serious storm. And, though it is not widely known, our cell phone infrastructure relies on propane, in many cases, to fuel back-up generators at transmission towers. Without functioning towers, cell phones will not operate.

Millions of Americans have propane barbecue grills that enable them to cook with or without electrical power and an increasing number of homes have propane-powered back-up generators.

“With operations in 46 states, AmeriGas encounters weather emergencies of one sort or another virtually every year,” said Bissell. “As a result, we know how to prepare for and safely respond to emergencies.”

At many East Coast locations throughout the company, employees will be working this weekend making extra deliveries to customers who have generators or other special needs. Additionally, all five of our AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange (“ACE”) barbecue cylinder northeast production centers will be operating throughout the weekend to meet anticipated emergency demand for ACE barbecue cylinders, which are sold at home centers and other retailers throughout the impacted area. Additional cylinders are being shipped in from the Deep South as well as the Midwest.

“Should recovery call for extraordinary measures, we’ll be ready,” said Bissell. “Extended power outages and flooding can leave customers with urgent needs for deliveries or repairs. To meet those needs, some years ago we created what we call the AmeriGas Airborne Division, a network of employees from all over the United States ready and willing to fly in (or drive, if extra delivery trucks are needed) on a moment’s notice. Time and again, our employees have come through for customers in need. I’m very proud of their track record.

“Irene may turn out to lose its power or go out to sea. But if it does arrive as anticipated, AmeriGas will be ready to meet the needs of its customers and others in the communities we serve.”

To prepare for the storm, consumers who have propane barbecues or generators will want to check their gas supplies. Propane tanks should be secured, but should never be brought inside. High winds, floods and heavy rains can damage installations, sometimes moving tanks and causing leaks. In the event that gas is smelled at any time, residents need to:

• IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISH ALL SMOKING MATERIALS AND OTHER OPEN FLAMES. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an ignition.
• LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY.
• SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on the propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
• REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call the retailer. If the retailer cannot be reached, call 911 or the local fire department.
• STAY AWAY FROM THE BUILDING until the propane retailer determines it is safe to return.
• GET THE SYSTEM CHECKED. Before use of any appliances is attempted, the propane retailer should ensure that the system is leak-free.

Extensive information on propane preparedness and response is available on the website of the Propane Education and Research Council at: http://www.usepropane.com/consumer-preparedness-center/propane-safety-and-hurricanes/.

AmeriGas Partners is the nation’s largest retail propane marketer, serving approximately 1.3 million customers in all 50 states from nearly 1,200 locations. UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI), through subsidiaries, owns 44% of the Partnership and the public owns the remaining 56%.

Comprehensive information about AmeriGas is available on the Internet at http://www.amerigas.com.