Prairie Fuel Advisors (PFA) was formed in 1995 by its first president, Peter G. Pellatt. Pellat’s vision was simple – to reduce the cost and frustration of buying fuel through increased purchasing strength.

Dominated by a few, large producers, the petroleum industry in western Canada puts fuel resellers at a competitive disadvantage as to setting fuel prices and other marketing decisions. Pellatt saw this situation, and through PFA was able to create an organization that could benefit both fuel distributors and purchases.

Under the program, fuel distributors are paid directly by PFA and do not get involved in pricing or have to worry about all the paper work associated with tendering, invoicing, collecting and reconciling accounts. Member municipalities, for their part, have access to a reasonably priced and reliable source of fuel and are provided with advance notice of all price changes.

This unique arrangement has seen PFA grow from its humble beginnings in Alberta, to an organization that now supports more than 300 members from B.C. to Manitoba in fuel purchases in excess of 54 million litres per year – successfully negotiating fuel contracts with petroleum providers such as the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA), Imperial Oil/ESSO, Bluewave Energy (Shell) and Petro-Canada on the delivery of bulk and cardlock fuel.

How the program works

For both the bulk fuel and cardlock/keylock programs, the process is simple and straightforward.

1. As a PFA member, you call your local agent of an approved supplier who delivers the fuel
2. PFA receives the invoice from the supplier, processes them and re-invoices you through your local association
3. PFA then pays the supplier in advance of member payment – ensuring there is no break in the supply chain
4. After receiving your invoice, you directly pay your local association

A retail credit card program is also available under PFA, with a similar billing/payment process, but fuel being accessed from any Fas Gas or RaceTrac retail outlet.

Free Cost Analysis

Would you like to know more? PFA provides free cost-benefit analysis. Simply send us a copy of your past year’s fuel invoices and our staff will provide you with a free, detailed report comparing the prices you paid to those that you would have paid through the program. (Contact PFA)