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Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has determined not to modify a final order settling charges that AmeriGas L.P.’s proposed acquisition of Energy Transfer Partners L.P.’s Heritage Propane business would have reduced competition and raised prices in the market for propane exchange cylinders that consumers use to fuel barbeque grills and patio heaters. The final FTC order resolving the charges protects consumers by requiring AmeriGas to exclude ETP’s cylinder exchange business, Heritage Propane Express, from the sale.

The Commission vote was 4-0. (FTC File No. 121-0022, Docket No. C-4346; the staff contact is Thomas N. Dahdouh, FTC Western Region, San Francisco, 415-848-5122.; see press release dated January 11, 2012.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(FYI 9.2012.wpd)