Newcastle, CA · family-owned since 1966
Propane Tank Filling and Delivery for the Placer Foothills
American River Gas delivers propane to homes, ranches and businesses across Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties from our yard on Ophir Road in Newcastle. We set the tanks, run the gas lines, check the systems and fill portable cylinders, too.
Start here
What brings you here today?
New customer
Moving here, building, or switching propane companies? Open an account and we take it from there: tank, leak check, first fill.
Existing customer
Order a fill, pay your bill online or spread the year's propane into equal monthly payments.
Request a delivery → My Account / pay online → (opens in a new tab) Budget Plan →
Cylinder or RV refill
Barbecue, patio heater and RV cylinders filled at our Ophir Road dispenser, Monday-Friday 8-5 (closed 12-1).
Services
Everything propane, from one local company
A full-service dealer: we deliver the propane and take care of the system it runs through.
Residential Propane Delivery
Route delivery to homes on leased or customer-owned tanks.
Learn more
Keep Full Automatic Delivery
We track your use and the weather and fill you on schedule.
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Propane Cylinder & RV Refills
Fill BBQ, RV and portable cylinders at our Newcastle yard.
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Propane Tank Installation
Above-ground tanks set, connected and leak-tested.
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Underground Gas Lines
Piping from the tank to the house and appliances.
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Generator Propane
Fuel and gas lines for standby generators during outages.
Learn moreDelivery programs
Keep Full or Will Call?
Automatic
Keep Full
Our route drivers fill your tank automatically. We time deliveries from outdoor temperatures and your past use, so you never have to watch the gauge.
- Best for homes heated with propane
- Best for second homes and busy families
- If you run out on Keep Full with the account in good standing, the leak test and special trip are on us*
You decide
Will Call
You check the gauge and call when it reads about 30%. We deliver on your area's route day, usually within a week.
- Best for light use: range, dryer, fireplace
- You choose when and how much
- Tanks are filled to about 86% in winter, 80% in summer
Either way, you can pay as you go or join the Budget Plan for equal monthly payments.
*Account must be in good standing; certain restrictions apply.
Family-owned
A Newcastle family business since 1966
Don Veninga started in the propane business in 1966. In 1996 his son, Steve Veninga, and Steve's longtime childhood friend, Bobby Dal Porto, bought American River Gas and became co-owners. They run it today from the yard on Ophir Road.
In a day when craftsmanship has gone by the wayside, we do our work as though we are putting our personal signature on each job: with professionalism, safety and thoroughness. Our mission is simple. Propane at a fair market price, excellent customer service, and a prompt response, without ever compromising safety.
By the numbers
Where the foothills heat with propane
Town centers are mostly on PG&E natural gas. The propane homes are on the parcels around them: acreage, private roads and neighborhoods the gas main never reached. That is where most foothill propane homes are.
Placer County overall: 7.8%. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25040 (house heating fuel). Propane used only for cooking, water heating or generators is not counted.
Propane-heated households by ZIP area
Top 10 ZIP areas on our routes
Service area
26 towns, one Newcastle yard
From Lincoln and Sheridan to Foresthill, Colfax and Georgetown. Tap a town for its page.
Placer foothills
Up the I-80 corridor
West Placer
El Dorado side
Nevada County
Smell gas? Do this first.
- Get everyone out of the building or area right away.
- On the way out, do not light anything or smoke, and do not flip light switches or use appliances, thermostats or phones.
- If it is safe and the smell is not coming from the tank itself, turn off the main gas valve on the tank (turn it to the right, clockwise).
- From a safe distance outside, call 911, then call us at (530) 888-7438.
- Do not go back in until a technician or emergency responder says it is safe, and never turn the gas back on yourself.
Safety
Safety is our first priority
Propane is odorless on its own. An odorant, ethyl mercaptan, is added so you can smell a leak: it smells like rotten eggs, a skunk's spray or a dead animal.
After any interruption in service, including running out of gas, a pressure check and leak test are required before your system is turned back on. The homeowner must be present, and there is a charge for the check, so it pays to order at 30% or join Keep Full.
Why American River Gas
Why foothill families call us
Full service, not just fuel
Trained technicians, consumer safety programs, leak checks and tank maintenance come with the company. That is part of what your propane price pays for.
Someone always answers
Office staff answer during business hours. After hours, weekends and holidays, our answering service puts you through to a member of our staff.
Local since 1966
Family-owned and run from our Newcastle yard, on Ophir Road.
Leased or owned tanks
We deliver to tanks we lease you and tanks you own, and we set new tanks in a variety of sizes.
Lines and regulators
We run underground piping from the tank to the house and install regulators, then pressure test before gas goes in.
Easy to pay
Pay online through My Account, set up autopay, or join the Budget Plan for equal monthly payments.
Our crew
Hard at work across the foothills
Reviews
What foothill neighbors say
“We were looking for a new propane provider and we’re so happy we decided on American River! From the first phone call with Kaitlyn in customer service to our first delivery from Daniel, we’ve had an amazing experience! Bobby came out to check our tank and check for leaks and he was the best! Both Kaitlyn and Daniel were very professional and friendly. Highly recommend this business! 🥇⭐️”
“I never thought I would feel so compelled to write a review for a propane company, but these guys definitely earn their 5 stars and more! When calling, I feel like I’m calling my neighbor! They are so nice, helpful, and almost always have an answer for me right away. They are super responsive! They act like they’re right down the road and can get out pretty quickly, if a need arises. We had used a different propane company in the past. They filled a leaking tank, and just “noted (our) account to check for leaks on next fill”. Well, as you can imagine, that was a pretty costly fill. We don’t use much propane, so I would estimate about %80 of what was in the tank leaked out, and we used the other %20. Anyway, American River gas came right out, diagnosed the issue, repaired, then returned to fill in a very timely manner. We have found our new propane company and will never go anywhere else! Thanks again for taking care of us and being so kind along the way!”
“Daniel at American River Propane is the BOMB! He chained up and even got his shovel and dug himself to our tanks and had to drag the hose uphill. You can't find a better driver or nicer guy to take care of your propane needs! Daniel you rick! Thank you for your service expertise!”
“I've had this company for over 5 years and impressed with the good customer service. Our tank we own had some issues and they really cared and followed up excellently. Highly recommended.”
“Used ARG Company for 40 years in Placer County. There service and propane pricing is very competitive. I recommend their delivery and propane pricing.”
“I experienced true authentic quality customer service with this company. I am very impressed so far with expedited unplanned service call, super polite knowledgeable service personnel, and efficient and effective office staff. I don’t usually give five stars but this company warrants this rating for their service performance thus far. Thank you American River Gas... you preserved my family’s health and comfort this winter.”
Questions
Straight answers
Where is American River Gas located?
Our office and yard are at 10290 Ophir Road in Newcastle, California, between Newcastle and Auburn. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00, closed noon to 1:00.
Which towns do you deliver propane to?
We deliver to 26 foothill towns including Newcastle, Auburn, North Auburn, Christian Valley, Penryn, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Applegate, Weimar, Colfax, Foresthill, rural Lincoln, Sheridan, Cool, Pilot Hill, Georgetown, Lake of the Pines, Alta Sierra, Grass Valley and Penn Valley.
Where can I get a propane cylinder filled?
Bring barbecue, patio heater and RV cylinders to our dispenser at the Newcastle yard, 10290 Ophir Road, during office hours.
When should I order propane?
If you are on Will Call, call when the gauge reads about 30%. Or join Keep Full and we schedule deliveries for you.
What if I need help after hours?
After hours, on weekends and on holidays, call (530) 888-7438 and our answering service puts you through to a member of our staff. If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call 911 and us from outside.
How do I pay my bill?
Pay online through the My Account portal, set up autopay, pay by card, cash or check, or join the Budget Plan for equal monthly payments.
Guides
Propane know-how
Newcastle yard · since 1966
Ready for propane you can count on?
Call the office and talk to a real person. Or leave your details and we call you back during business hours.
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (closed noon-1:00 PM)
After hours, weekends and holidays, our answering service reaches a staff member.