Blue Rhino, AmeriGas Final Orders Approved Preserving Propane Tank Sector Competition

Two separate final orders, approved after a public comment period, prohibit Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange from colluding to coerce Walmart to accept a reduction in the amount of propane in exchange tanks (In re FerrellGas Partners, L.P., FTC, Dkt. No. 9360, In re FerrellGas Partners, L.P.).

The Federal Trade Commission announced the final orders on Jan. 9, settling charges against the two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks and barring each “from agreeing with competitors to modify fill levels or otherwise fix the prices of exchange tanks, and from coordinating communications to customers.”

Challenged ...