Do you remember when we didn’t name every winter event? It was simply winter, and you bundled up and blustered your way through it. If you didn’t have a lot of snow, you played some pond hockey. If you had snow, you strapped on skis and headed for Swiss Valley, Bittersweet, or Timber Ridge.
I’ve seen a lot of press attention around the potential super El Niño that is predicted to impact our area this winter. While apparently the term El Niño has been around for hundreds of years, I don’t recall it being part of my childhood growing up in Battle Creek. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, but I think it’s the modern-day 24/7 news cycle that’s always looking for a new angle to get eyeballs. “El Niño” and “polar vortex” sound a lot cooler than “cold and snowy.” Regardless, you and I both know Mother Nature doesn’t listen to predictions, so we have to be prepared no matter what the weatherman says.
This is why we hedge our propane supply far in advance; we don’t like surprises, and when it comes to propane prices, I am going to bet you don’t either. Recently, we had the opportunity to lock in propane prices through the end of May 2028. That means for both this coming winter and next, our new and existing propane customers pay $1.979 per gallon no matter what the El Niños, La Niñas, polar vortexes, and winter storm whoevers bring. This is huge! Knowing exactly how much you are going to pay per gallon for the next two heating seasons means you don’t have to worry about how much Winter Storm Big and Scary is going to impact your wallet. You can plan.
We call this peace-of-mind pricing, and it comes without hidden fees or first-fill gimmicks. It helps us purchase propane when prices are favorable, so you don’t end up footing the bill when markets spike. It also ensures that existing customers don’t subsidize low rates for new customers. Everyone pays the same price per gallon all season long, no matter if it’s your first fill or 50th.
And you don’t have to do anything special to get that locked-in rate. If you are already our propane customer, you’re automatically getting that rate and will continue to do so. If you want to join the MEC propane family, you simply sign up. That’s it. You don’t have to pay an extra fee to get the locked-in rate, make a special phone call, or provide some sort of promo code. All you have to do is be one of our customers.
We do this because you aren’t just customers; you are our neighbors. This might sound like a cheesy sales pitch, but it’s the truth. We live in the communities we serve and always have. In fact, our propane manager’s family has been farming in southwest Michigan since the mid-1800s. So quality service matters more to us because it’s not just about our bottom line. It’s about providing a product our employees can be proud to share with the people they see at church, their kids’ schools, and throughout the community.
They say the El Niño could make for a warmer and drier winter. Warmer and drier than what? I don’t know, but I do know that our propane team is ready for anything. And hopefully, our secured rate means you don’t have to think twice before you adjust your thermostat.
Wish me luck on the skates and slopes!
