LP/Gas articles from August 2004

LP/Gas archives from August 2004

Pinnacle 2004.(Industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... PERC President Roy Willis (center) moderates a mock debate between the industry's new TV advertising campaign stars, Electricity (left) and Propane (right). Enjoying the warm Naples, Florida weather at the Pinnacle kick-off party are John...

Appeals court throws out new hours-of-service rules.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to throw out the new hours-of-service rules for truck drivers has positive and negative effects for the propane industry, according to the National Propane Gas Association....

Guaranteed loans too risky, federal GAO report says.(Washington, D.C.)(General Accounting Office)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Federally guaranteed loans to rural electric cooperatives would pose an unreasonable risk to taxpayers, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (formerly the General Accounting Office). The report, issued July 6,...

NPGA withdraws linefill lawsuit following program changes.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The National Propane Gas Association has withdrawn its lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over a proposed linefill program for the north of Conway, Kan., pipeline. The program, which would have charged shippers nearly...

Name-based background checks complete, TSA says.(Washington, D.C.)(Transportation Security Administration)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Transportation Security Administration has completed name-based background checks on 2.7 million U.S. truck drivers with hazardous-materials endorsements, officials said. The checks reportedly turned up 29 "persons of interest" whose...

FMCSA to require permits for some hazmat loads.(Washington, D.C.)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Carriers of hazardous materials must apply for federal permits to carry compressed or refrigerated liquid methane or natural gas, toxic inhalants, explosives or radioactive materials after Jan. 1, under a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety...

PERC sponsoring facilitation, communication workshops.(Chicago, Illinois)
August 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council is sponsoring workshops to promote trainers' and instructors' ability to facilitate and communicate. The two-day workshops are designed to help participants become more confident and effective...

Proposals sought for intra-farm transfer assessment.(Washington, D.C.)(Propane Education & Research Council)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council is soliciting proposals to identify remote fueling equipment needs and assess the relevant regulations affecting intra-farm transfer of propane to a centralized storage facility. "With farm acres...

Commercial vehicles earn fewer citations during 'road check'.(Washington, D.C.)(Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A recent 72-hour "road check" of commercial vehicles across the United States, Canada and Mexico turned up the highest number of vehicles with no safety violations in the history of program. The road check, conducted between June 8 and June...

Inergy acquires assets of Virginia company.(Kansas City, Missouri)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Inergy has purchased the assets of Roanoke, Va.-based Highland Propane Co., an operating subsidiary of RGC Resources Inc. The company delivered 10 million gallons of propane to about 18,000 customers from four locations in southwestern...

Liberty Propane buys three propane companies.(Overland Park, Kansas)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Liberty Propane has acquired three retail propane companies in the southeast--A Better Gas Company of Commerce, Ga., Rowland Oil Co. of Rowland, N.C., and Fairmont Gas of Fairmont, N.C. In total, the companies delivered about 3.8 million...

Gas water heater controls recalled for hazard.(Washington, D.C.)
August 1, 2004... The Consumer Product Safety Commission and White-Rodgers are recalling 88,000 temperature controls on gas water heaters because of a fire hazard. The controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, causing soot to build...

California nixes GPS rule on hazmat trucks.(Sacramento, California)(global-positioning system)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A bill aimed at requiring all California trucks carrying flammable or combustible liquids to be equipped with a global-positioning system and an automatic truck-stopping device has died in committee. Testimony for and against the California...

Tennessee adopts Uniform Fire Code into state fire law.(Nashville, Tennessee)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Tennessee has adopted the most recent edition of NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code, which took effect June 2. The code, which includes standards for propane, integrates NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code, and the Uniform Fire Code. The state's code...

Forklift repair classes scheduled through April.(Nashville, Tennessee)
August 1, 2004... Sixteen additional classes have been scheduled to train attendees on the proper procedures for repairing and maintaining Class 4 and 5 large spark-ignition, propane-fueled forklifts. The classes will be offered Sept. 15 in Iowa City, Iowa;...

Harsco changes gas group name to Harsco GasServ.(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Harsco Corp. has announced that its Gas and Fluid Control Group will now be identified as Harsco GasServ. "Harsco GasServ marks a fundamental departure from traditional manufacturing concentration to a total gas application focus. The new...

SunStar Heating Products adds Corcho product line.(Charlotte, North Carolina)
August 1, 2004... Gas-Fired Products Inc. has transferred its Corcho product line of vent-free gas heaters to its subsidiary, SunStar Heating Products inc. in order to better coordinate and support its marketing and distribution to the propane industry. ...

Energy Guys promotion materials available for your retail propane business.(Washington, D.C.)(Propane Industry Resource Catalog)(Education & Research Council)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Members of the propane industry have an opportunity to get up close and personal with Propane like never before. In response to what it calls "overwhelming industry demand," the Propane Education & Research Council is making available for...

The outlook on retail acquisitions.(Let's Talk)
August 1, 2004... Assessing the future of acquisitions is like asking someone to predict the weather. At a meeting in New England one year, I heard a speaker from the National Weather Service talk about giving an outlook. "It is impossible to predict the...

Gas pains.(Let 's Talk)
August 1, 2004... "ONE SAVES THE WORLD AND IS FEARLESS... THE OTHER HEATS THE WORLD AND IS COLORLESS." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The hating season.(View Point)
August 1, 2004... With apologies to Rick Roldan and all those who thrive in the manipulative, scheming world that is our nation's capital, I hate politics. Democrats and Republicans alike, you can have the whole conniving lot. I don't believe a word any of...

Measure and forecast key numbers.(In The Know)
August 1, 2004... During the 2003 Propane Marketing and Operations Forum, Propane Resources asked attendees of the "Measure and Forecast Key Numbers" sessions about their companies. Here's what they had to say. Topic: Measure and Forecast Key Numbers ...

LP/gas stock index.(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Ended (7/16/04) AmeriGas APU March $27.00 Energy...

Propane MLP price history.
August 1, 2004... Historic price index Propane stock price history calculated by averaging unweighted prices for AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, Heritage, Inergy, Star Gas and Suburban master limited partnerships. Sources: Public information and A.G. Edwards &...

Weather watch.(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heating degree days by state State June Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 1 -1 2749 -105...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... * Sept. 8-9 West Virginia Propane Gas Association annual meeting at the Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, West Virginia. For details, contact Tom Osina at wvpga@aol.com or 703-530-9772. * Sept. 12-15 North Carolina Propane Gas Association...

Confessions of a charcoal grill chef.(Safety First)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2004... Sponsored by Cenex[R], A brand of chs I'd like to share a personal story. Thirty years ago, I bought a gas grill, assembled it, turned on the gas, lit the burner and went in the house for the hot dogs. I came back out to find the hose had...

Synergize your management team.(Business Matters)
August 1, 2004... When you combine the right people, assets and capital in just the right combination, you can create a value that is much greater than the sum of its parts. This concept--called synergy--is the notion that power is released as individuals work...

Feds update rules governing pipelines.(Washington Report)
August 1, 2004... The Research and Special Programs Administration has updated its pipeline maintenance and repair regulations to take advantage of the latest technology and construction standards, including the use of plastics in certain situations. Among...

House bill lacks propane breaks.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The House has approved a tax bill, the American Jobs Creation Act, which does not include any of the tax breaks for the propane industry in the Senate-passed Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act. But the House version would extend an...

Funding for 2005 programs.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The House has approved a 2005 Interior Department funding bill with slight funding increases for most programs. The levels include $227.3 million for Weatherization ($63 million below the president's request) and $44.798 million for State...

Homeland Security budget.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The House also approved a 2005 Department of Homeland Security funding bill that directs the department to work with DOT to clarify their respective roles in developing security precautions for hazmat transit. Meanwhile, in an effort to...

Stock build remains weak.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)
August 1, 2004... The build of propane stock slowed each week in June and the first week of July. Inventories as of July 9 totaled about 44.5 million barrels, about 2 million barrels below same time last year. According to the Energy Information...

Central Fireplace.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Central Fireplace Greenbush, WA CF-42 and CF-3036 Fireplaces Power venting is standard on these new, 92 percent AFUE efficiency direct positive vent units, which can be installed virtually anywhere. Power venting of the sealed...

Country Stoves.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Country Stoves Auburn, WA Allure Fireplace & Vision 25/35 Stoves. The Allure is a direct-vent zero clearance fireplace with one of the most unusual looks seen this season--a fully cast interior and exterior that looks like an...

DESA.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... DESA Bowling Green, KY Vent-Free Logs & Direct-Vent Fireplaces For 2004, the new Vanguard products include six new Blaze N' Glow vent-free logs with a new ramp burner design in sizes from 18 to 39 inches. The unique slanted burner...

Hargrove Manufacturing.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Hargrove Manufacturing Sand Springs, OK Mountain Timber & Timberland Log Sets The new Mountain Timber series of vented logs is available in six sizes, from 24 to 60 inches in length. Handcrafted using a new paint process to...

Hearth & Home Technologies.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Hearth & Home Technologies Lakeville, MN FreshAir & Cyclone Fireplaces The new direct vent Heatilator or Heat-N-Glo FreshAir Fireplace and the Heat-N-Glo 6000Plus and 6100Plus use an HRV200 heat recovery ventilation system to...

Krog Iversen.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Krog Iversen Vissenbjerg, Denmark Scan Gas Stoves The Scan 1 Gas steel stove produces an output from 16,500 to 33,000 BTUs, is rated at 79 percent efficiency and features black or gray cabinet styling with storage underneath the...

Lennox.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Lennox Orange, CA Spectra LSS-35CP & LSS-40CP Fireplaces These high efficiency top direct-vent gas fireplaces with ceramic glass viewing areas are available with 36 or 41 inch wide openings, and a choice of decorator facings in...

Majestic/CFM.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Majestic/CFM Mississauga, Ont. ODGSR, DVT38 & DVRT41 Fireplaces The new Vermont Castings OD GSR36A and OD GSR42A "al Fresco" outdoor gas fireplaces are targeted to that "outdoor room" that so many customers seem to be furnishing...

Miles Industries.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Miles Industries Vancouver, B.C. Valor Legend G3 Inserts The new Legend G3 b-vent fireplace insert, model 738BVP, delivers an output of 13,000 to 24,000 BTUs on propane. The G3 direct vent, model 739DVP, produces similar heat....

Monessen.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Monessen Paris, KY LX Fireplaces and Emberbed Logs The new Lexington LX32 and LX36 direct vent fireplaces feature flush face design, ceramic glass viewing areas of 710 and 802 square inches respectively, dual burner log sets with...

Mr. Heater.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... Mr. Heater Cleveland, OH Big Buddy Heater The new Big Buddy radiant heater is a larger, more powerful version of this manufacturer's highly successful Portable Buddy, an indoor radiant heater fueled with propane. At 18,000 BTU/hr,...

Pacific Energy.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... Pacific Energy Duncan, B.C. Pacific Maxx Insert The new Pacific Maxx gas fireplace insert features a flush hearth design and eliminates the traditional louvers above and below the glass typically required on a gas insert. Premium,...

R.H. Peterson.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... R.H. Peterson City of Industry, CA Log Sets & OC-27 Outdoor Fireplace Peterson's Real-Fyre line added an Aged Cedar log set in sizes from 18 to 30 inches, and a 36-inch Charred Split Oak set. It also unveiled a new, more compact...

Rais.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... Rais Pound Ridge, NY Gabo Gas Direct Vent Stove Rais, the Danish maker of decorative wood stoves imported by Rais and Wittus of New York, has added the first gas stove to its line this year with the debut of the Gabo Gas direct...

Rasmussen.(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Rasmussen Whittier, CA Chillbuster CoalFire Fireplace Heater Rasmussen's CoalFire is an unusual looking vent-free coal effect gas fire set designed for use in old fireplaces that may have been built for coal, and which have small...

Sherwood Industries (Enviro).(New products warm up home heating)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sherwood Industries (Enviro) Victoria, B.C. DV 36 Fireplace & Sienna Insert The new DV 36 fireplace is rated at 80 percent efficiency with up to 30,000 BTUs output and can be top or rear vented. It features a five piece ceramic...

Town & Country Fireplaces.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... Town & Country Fireplaces Duncan, B.C. TC 36 See-Thru and Arch Fireplaces A 66,000 BTU see-through fireplace and an arched variation on its TC 36 model are new from Town & Country this year. The TC 36 See-Thru offers two 36- x...

Wolf Steel.(New products warm up home heating)
August 1, 2004... Wolf Steel Barrie, Ont. GE38NT-M, GD80NT-M & GD70NT-S Fireplaces Napolean's new Manhattan GE38NT-M is the first fireplace to combine a 26,000 BTU direct vent gas fireplace with an electric fireplace. "In the summer months, when...

Ambient Technologies.(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)
August 1, 2004... Ambient Technologies Paris, KY Touch Light Table Top Remotes Ambient Technologies has debuted the new line of Touch Light Table Top/Wall Mount remote controls for log sets and fireplaces. The new remotes are intended to be placed...

Battic Door.(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)
August 1, 2004... Battic Door Mansfield, MA Attic Stairway Cover and Dryer Vent Seal An attic stairway cover that allows access to your attic but seals in the warm air that tries to rise through loose door seals, and a dryer vent replacement that...

Exhausto.(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Exhausto Roswell, GA RS-FAN and EBC 5 Control The RS-FAN is a new chimney-top mounted fan of cast aluminum and stainless steel, for use with gas fireplaces, stoves, and ovens. It includes a quiet, variable speed motor that can be...

Fireplace Products International (FPI/Regency).(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Fireplace Products International (FPI/Regency) Delta, B.C. Excalibur Palace Custom Surrounds Offering more than 100 possible combinations, the new Excalibur Palace series of surrounds is compatible with Excalibur slim and deep gas...

Flue Sentinel.(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Flue Sentinel Orion, MI. Electronic Damper The Flue Sentinel, the first electronic damper for gas fireplaces, is being introduced because, a company spokesman says, "In most states manual dampers for fireplaces are now required by...

Selkirk.(Consider the potential profits in hearth accessories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Selkirk Dallas, TX Direct-Temp Vent and AirMate T-bar Frames Selkirk's Metalbestos offers a new Direct-Temp direct vent system with an inner liner made of stainless steel for exceptional corrosion control and added structural...

Distributors: a vital link in the propane industry chain.(Distributor Showcase)
August 1, 2004... There is uneasiness in the voices of many long-time propane industry distributors these days when they discuss their role as the link between equipment manufacturers and propane retailers. More than ever, companies that have been among the...

Dennis the Master: Kendall repeats as Propane Golfers Association tournament champ.
August 1, 2004... Fighting off a series of double bogeys, defending champ and AmeriGas Propane sales rep Dennis Kendall of Cincinnati fought from behind to win his fourth Propane Golfers Association title at The Westin Innisbrook Resort in June with a...

Vent-free logs.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Monessen Hearth Systems is offering a new line of Emberbed vent-free gas logs in Split Maple and Kentucky Stack designs. The logs, which are available for propane or natural gas, are designed with a low-profile burner to resemble burning...

Vent-free fireplaces.(Products)
August 1, 2004... World Marketing of America is adding oak and cherry finishes for its Newport line of zero-clearance, vent-free gas fireplaces. The system is sold as a complete set, with firebox, burner, log set, cabinet surround and hearth base all in one box....

Vented burner.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Real-Fyre has a new remote-ready, electronic-ignition, vented burner system designed to produce realistic flames with a non-standing pilot so it consumes less gas. The G4601M includes glowing embers and a burner for use with either natural...

Radiant heater.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Mr. Heater has pumped up the power of its Portable Buddy indoor-safe heater to create its big brother, the Big Buddy. The Big Buddy doubles the power of its smaller sibling, boosting its capacity to 18,000 Btu/hour, in response to industry...

Actuator line warranty.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Flowserve Corp. is standing behind its Limitorque SMB electric actuator line with a 10-year standard warranty. The company says the term is "unprecedented" in the flow control industry and minimizes customer risk. The warranty guarantees...

Large-frame reel.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Reelcraft Industries has designed a new line of custom large-frame reel designs that can be built as standard requests in five days. The Series 40 reels offer options for size, guide arm position, motor location, and accessories, including...

New Web site.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Maxitrol Co. has a new Web site geared for HVAC installers, plumbing installers and utility professionals. The site, 2psi.com, offers information on regulator sizing and selection, and how to follow the line pressure standard for 2 psi and...

National Propane Gas Association.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The National Propane Gas Association's board of directors has selected a new slate of officers for its 2004-2005 term. J. Nutie Dowdle, chairman of Dowdle Gas Co. in Columbus, Miss., was automatically named chairman of the board. According to...

Propane Resources.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Propane Resources has added three employees to its roster. Allan Degenhardt has been hired to work with propane retailers on their supply management. Degenhardt has 13 years of previous sales and business management experience, most...

New Jersey PGA.(People)(Propane Gas Association )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The New Jersey Propane Gas Association has named Larry Horowitz as its recipient of the Howard Card Safety Award. Horowitz, of Perrineville, N.J., has 30 years of experience in the propane gas industry and is vice president of the H&H Gas...

Versyss Commercial Systems.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Saul Cohen has joined Versyss Commercial Systems to develop its new mobile technology division. Cohen has more than 15 years of IT experience, with 10 years in software development and five years in mobile technology.