IDEAL Friday Member Update: 08.28.2026
The Latest IDEAL News!
Fall Is Here… and IDEAL Is Ready!
Here we go! Back-to-school season is in full swing, calendars are filling up, kids are getting back into routines, and for many of our Member-Owners, the busy season is just around the corner.
Even when things get hectic, IDEAL is here to make cooperation simple.
We're continuing our spotlight on the incredible Equipment Vendor Partners in our network. These relationships matter. By being part of IDEAL—and by building direct connections with our Partners—we're able to get valuable industry information, resources, products, and opportunities in front of you as quickly as possible. And cooperation doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's as simple as a phone call, an introduction, a quick question, or sharing something we've learned that could help another Member-Owner. We're all busy, but staying connected can make a big difference.
We're also seeing Fuel-Local® continue to grow! The website is taking shape, our social presence is gaining momentum, and more Member-Owners are getting their custom Fuel-Local® logos and messaging out into their communities. This is your opportunity to tell the story behind your business, celebrate the people who make it special, and remind your customers why local matters.
As we head into another heating season, IDEAL will keep working behind the scenes to connect the dots, share the intel, highlight opportunities, and—most importantly—help our Member-Owners and Partners succeed.
So as the pace picks up, remember: you don't have to do it all alone. That's the IDEAL of cooperation.
Let's have a great season!
Happy to help, Amy West - Cooperative Administrator |
What Are You Doing to Help Spread the Message?
September 9 is National Fuel-Local® Day, and we're asking every IDEAL Member-Owner to help us make some noise about the importance of choosing local.
Fuel-Local® is a consumer-focused movement created by the Member-Owners of IDEAL Energy Cooperative to help consumers understand the value of locally operated, privately held, independent fuel delivery, service, and HVAC companies.
This isn't about creating more work for you. It's about taking a few minutes to share what you already do every day.
Here are a few easy ways to participate:
📱 Share the National Fuel-Local® Day post from Fuel-Local® social media. 📸 Post a photo of your team, trucks, or community and tell your customers why being local matters to you. 🧡 Share your Fuel-Local® story—a customer relationship, community connection, or example of being there when your neighbors needed you. 🔗 Add fuel-local.com to your website, email signature, or social media. 👥 Tell your employees about Fuel-Local®. Make sure your team knows that your company is an IDEAL Member-Owner and that Fuel-Local® is an initiative created by the Member-Owners. 📣 Tag @Fuel-Local® and use #FuelLocal so we can see and share your posts.
Most importantly—make it yours.
The strongest Fuel-Local® message isn't something we create in the IDEAL office. It's your story.
Your customers know you. They know your trucks, your employees, your voice, and your commitment to the community. Let them see what makes your company—and local energy—different.
On September 9, let's fill social media with the faces and stories behind local energy.
One day. One message. 44 independent businesses. One powerful movement.
What will YOU do to help spread the word?
|
Welcome New IDEAL Partner! |
We’re excited to welcome Avoca AI to the IDEAL Partner Network! Avoca is an AI-powered front office for fuel and home-service companies, helping businesses answer calls, capture leads, book jobs, follow up with customers, and handle routine requests—24/7. For fuel marketers and HVAC service companies, Avoca can help keep the phones covered, improve responsiveness, and free up your team to focus on the customers and work that need a human touch.
Interested in learning more? Connect with Liam Galloway at Avoca AI to see how the platform could fit your operation.
We’re glad to have Avoca AI—and Liam—part of IDEAL!
|
Meet the Team: Equipment Vendor Partners – Part Two
We’re keeping the spotlight on our Equipment Vendor Partners as we head toward the busy season—and there’s plenty more to introduce!
These Partners bring the equipment, products, technology, expertise, and support that help our Member-Owners keep trucks moving, technicians working, installations on track, and customers taken care of. Just as important, they bring people you can call when you have a question, need a solution, or want to explore something new.
That’s the real value of the IDEAL Partner Network. It’s not just a list of companies—it’s a network of relationships. Take a look at the Partners featured below, learn a little about what they offer, and reach out. You may find a resource that can make your operation easier or more efficient.
And remember, we’re building toward Partner Appreciation Month in October! The more we connect our Member-Owners with our Partners, the stronger the entire IDEAL network becomes. |
TransCOR 
Terravest Propar 
The Granite Group
TerraVest Industries is a leading manufacturer of equipment for the propane, energy, and industrial markets. Their portfolio includes propane storage tanks, transport equipment, and other specialized products that help fuel companies operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.
TransCor provides transportation and logistics solutions for the energy industry, helping move fuel safely and efficiently where it needs to go. Their expertise and commitment to dependable service make them an important link in the fuel supply chain supporting IDEAL Member-Owners. The Granite Group is a leading distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling, and water systems products throughout the Northeast. With a broad product selection, local branches, and industry expertise, they help contractors and service companies get the products they need to keep jobs moving.
|
Ray Murray, Inc. is a long-standing supplier to the propane industry, offering a wide range of propane equipment, parts, and accessories. Their knowledgeable team and extensive product selection make them a valuable resource for Member-Owners in the field and in the office.
 Triarc Tank specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of propane storage tanks and related equipment. Their focus on quality, reliability, and industry-specific solutions makes them an important resource for propane marketers looking to support their operations and customers.
|
MARK YOUR CALENDARS |
 Deadline: Postmarked by: September 15, 2026
Member-Owners: Get those ballots in the mail for our 2026 Board of Director Elections
 September 17, 2026 3-4pm
Send your topic requests to Amy@idealenergycooperative.com
 September 24, 2026, 2pm
Board of Director Election Results (Member-Owners Only) |
Shout Out Opportunity |
PERC Welcomes Industry to nominate Drivers for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 13-19, and it’s the perfect time to honor the propane delivery drivers who go above and beyond for your customers and your company.
Nominate an exceptional transport or bobtail driver from your company to be featured during Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Nominees will be entered into a drawing and highlighted across PERC and industry communications channels, helping your company show appreciation and celebrate your team’s dedication.
This year, your customers can submit nominations too! Get the bill stuffer on the National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Collection in the Propane Education & Research Counsel's (PERC) Resource Catalog. Submit nominations here.
Source: BPNews.com
|
IN THE NEWS |
NPGA Releases Statement on EPCA Reform Act
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026 (S.5338), aimed at reforming the federal Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) and changing how the Department of Energy establishes appliance efficiency standards. The legislation would repeal recent efficiency rules for consumer furnaces and commercial water-heating equipment, require more comprehensive fuel-cycle analysis, and create separate product classes based on fuel source and operating characteristics. Importantly for the propane industry, the bill would also preempt state and local regulations that prohibit or require replacement of covered equipment based on its fuel source or emissions. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) supports the legislation and has been advocating for EPCA reform.
Source: BPNews.com
|
PrimeTime Promotions |
PrimeTime Offerings by IDEAL Partners have a limited time run. Don't miss out on earning additional rebates! |
Kozy Ops 
Nessit Managed IT
 |
