Built for regional demand and reliability
Winter reliability begins hundreds of feet below ground at the Energy Transfer Marcus Hook Terminal. We store propane in large underground caverns, among the largest fuel storage facilities on the East Coast.
When demand increases, deep-well pumps bring the propane to the surface, where it is transferred to truck racks, railcars and ships. This infrastructure is the key reason our region no longer faces the shortages seen during the polar vortex a decade ago. The Marcus Hook Terminal helps ensure a stable, consistent propane supply for Pennsylvania and its neighbors when it matters most.
Powering the supply chain
Cold weather stresses logistics, but propane gives the regional economy a distinct advantage. Hospitals, schools, manufacturers and distribution centers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic rely on propane as a dependable fuel source allowing public services and commerce to continue uninterrupted.
In fact, propane-powered forklifts and fleet vehicles are especially valuable in winter conditions. While freezing temperatures can drain electric batteries and lead to long charging delays, propane-powered equipment refuels in minutes and maintains consistent performance. That reliability helps warehouses, retailers and manufacturers avoid slowdowns.
And, the Marcus Hook Terminal stands at the ready in these circumstances: The daily volume of propane trucks can jump from an average of 46 to as many as 200 during particularly cold stretches.
Supporting retail and seasonal commerce
Propane also has emerged as a critical fuel in the ever-competitive retail industry. During our winter sales and indoor home improvement season, propane supports heating systems, backup power and high-efficiency boilers in those drafty big-box stores that can be difficult and expensive to heat.
Propane also keeps point-of-sale systems, lighting and security infrastructure operational — especially in facilities that rely on backup generation during storms or peak demand periods.
Fueling winter events and outdoor festivities
The winter enthusiasts among us enjoy fire-and-ice festivals, outdoor skating rinks and other seasonal attractions across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Many of these events rely on propane for tent heating, vendor cooking fuel and portable power generation for lighting and sound systems.
These seasonal activities create recurring demand for temporary tank sets, mobile refueling and coordination between event organizers and propane retailers. Propane offers a flexible energy solution that allows events to move forward regardless of temperature.
Resilience in the storm
Winter storms, high electrical loads and aging grid infrastructure make outages more likely during the winter. Propane is uniquely suited to fill the void.
Propane-fueled standby generators help keep essential operations – from IT systems in distribution centers to public emergency warming shelters – running during outages. Propane also powers the tools that simultaneously keep us safe and keep commerce moving, including ground-thawing units, construction heaters, and tools used to clear loading docks, walkways and parking lots.
This requires portable on-demand energy sources that can be deployed quickly and moved as conditions change. Keeping all those parts in action depends upon communication and coordination between Energy Transfer, propane retailers, businesses and municipalities to ensure adequate cylinder and bulk supply ahead of winter storms.
Beyond fuel: The materials of winter
Propane’s role extends far beyond heating and fuel; it is a fundamental building block of the products we use to enjoy the season. Natural gas liquids (NGLs) like propane are essential components in manufacturing high-performance winter gear. The skis, snowboards, sleds and insulated jackets and boots that keep us active in the cold are all derived from the NGLs transported through the Mariner East system and stored at our terminals at Marcus Hook and throughout the region.
As winter settles in, remember that the warmth in your home, your ability to shop online and in person, and all of the essentials for a day of outdoor winter fun are made possible by the unsung hero of energy. From the deep caverns of Delaware County to the local delivery trucks on your street, propane is working behind the scenes every day to keep our region moving.