LP/Gas articles from August 2005

LP/Gas archives from August 2005

The need to know.(VIEW POINT)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Piece by piece, the propane industry is finally accumulating vital data about itself, its markets and its competition in detail it has never known. It's about time. It's been 95 years since chemist Dr. Walter Snelling began investigating...

In the know.(software used by retail propane marketers )(Survey)
August 1, 2005... Software Survey We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about software. Here is what retailers had to say. Outcomes: The majority of respondents are using software systems to run their...

LP/Gas stock index.(AmeriGas Inc.)(Energy Transfer Co.)(Ferrellgas Inc.)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2005... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (7/13/05) Distribution Yield AmeriGas APU Mar. $32.60 $2.24 6.9%...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2005... June Yellow = lower than average heating degree days Blue = higher than average heating degree days Gray = percent change not meaningful See our Web page for the latest wheather updates www.LPGASmagazine.com Heating...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... * Sept, 11-13 Wisconsin Propane Gas Association fall outing and seminars to be held at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor, WI. For details, contact Randy Knapp at 800-781-9742 or rknapp@centurytel.net. * Sept. 14-16 World LP Gas Forum at the...

Leadership lost and found.(SAFETY FIRST)(Column)
August 1, 2005... SPONSORED BY CENEX[R], A BRAND OF CHS We have recently seen the sentencing of leaders who failed to adhere to core values, standards and laws designed to protect stakeholders and stockholders alike. From Enron to World Corn to Martha...

Hiring the best in the propane industry.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
August 1, 2005... SPONSORED BY UPS[R] The most successful companies seem to recruit the very best talent, retain top producing individuals and get the most out of their employees. Weak ones often have high turnover, can't keep positions filled and make...

House, Senate still at odds over policy.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
August 1, 2005... Conferees are trying to iron out differences in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed by each House. The Senate version emphasizes consumer education about energy efficiency and would require the Department of Energy to convene a conference...

Emergency act introduced.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
August 1, 2005... Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced the Pipeline Safety Emergency Notification Act to require anyone involved in demolition, excavation, tunneling or construction near a pipeline to report damage. The bill was referred to the Transportation &...

Compliance date delayed.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
August 1, 2005... The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has delayed the compliance date for most rules regarding Harmonization with the United Nations Recommendations concerning international hazmat transit. The deadline shifted from June 14...

Hazmat rules modified.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
August 1, 2005... The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration also modified several hazmat rules designed to reduce regulatory burdens. It will allow the military to use its own hazmat regulations, for instance. PHMSA also modified rules for...

Feds focused on energy.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... Even without a national energy bill, the federal government heavily involves itself in energy policy. The Government Accountability Office counted more than 150 energy programs plus 12 tax preferences involving everything from supply, the...

DOT funding for FY06.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)(Department of Transportation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... The House approved a 2006 funding bill for the Department of Transportation that would allow the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to hire eight new members, with $198,000 earmarked for improving electronic communications....

Spruce up your hearth line: the industry unveils the latest products at the 2005 Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo in Atlanta.
August 1, 2005... Many new hearth products available to sell for winter 2005-06 were debuted at the 2005 Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo in Atlanta earlier this year. Heat & Glo dazzled the fans of the "hydrogen economy" with a demonstration of the...

Distributors: still vital.(DISTRIBUTOR SHOWCASE)
August 1, 2005... Over the past few years, propane industry distributors have been more and more concerned about their role as the link between equipment manufacturers and propane retailers. These distributors, who have been among the staunchest supporters of...

Bug off: mosquito control devices flying high as sales and service adds-ons: propane-powered devices now more affordable for homeowners.
August 1, 2005... Propane-powered mosquito control devices are swatting down some impressive sales gains as engineering refinements and lower price points push the units toward mainstream acceptance among American backyard enthusiasts. Assorted resorts,...

Propane generator program launched in California.(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA)
August 1, 2005... Cummins West, California-based supplier of new construction equipment and rentals, has fabricated a new 60 kW genset and is offering to loan it at no cost for one year to qualifying builders in the Sacramento region. The Sacramento...

Drivers' medical records could be linked to license.(ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... The Federal Motor Carder Safety Administration plans to introduce a rule in 2006 that would electronically link a truck driver's medical certificate to a state-issued commercial driver's license. The certificate would be stored in a...

Group seeks to redefine hazardous materials.(WASHINGTON, DC)(American Trucking Associations)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... The American Trucking Associations is asking the federal government to label some hazardous materials as "security sensitive" for regulatory purposes. The distinction would define hazardous materials that pose a significant security risk...

Industry supports Senate energy bill, urges caution over funding.(WASHINGTON, DC)
August 1, 2005... The National Propane Gas Association welcomed the U.S. Senate's 85-12 vote June 28 to approve its version of the comprehensive energy bill. "America's propane industry applauds the Senate passage of the long-awaited energy bill," said...

Training center opens for propane managers, technicians.(AUSTIN, TEXAS)(Railroad Commission Alternative Fuels Research & Education Division )(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... A new training center for propane company managers and technicians opened here July 13 to provide a place to instruct professionals in the best ways to handle propane. The Texas Railroad Commission Alternative Fuels Research & Education...

Inergy LP to buy New York natural gas storage facility.(TIOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... Inergy will buy the membership interests of the Stagecoach multi-cycle natural gas storage facility here for $205 million. Located about 150 miles northwest of New York City, the storage facility holds about 13.6 Bcf of working gas, with...

R. W. Lyall acquires USPoly's Gas Metal Fittings business.(CORONA, CALIFORNIA)
August 1, 2005... R.W. Lyall & Co. Inc., a natural gas and LPG piping solutions company, has acquired USPoly's (formerly Uponor) Gas Metal Fittings business based in Shawnee, Okla. The Shawnee location--led by Eric Sovereign, value stream manager--will...

Ferrellgas.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2005... Ferrellgas has promoted Brian Grimm to the post of vice president of retail sales. Grimm will oversee the company's national sales department. He joined the Kansas-based company in 2002 as the western regional sales manager. Grimm...

CHS Propane.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2005... CHS Propane has named Kevin Williams as its vice president. Williams has spent much of his career with Duke Energy Corp. Most recently, he worked with Duke Energy Field Service--a joint venture energy company owned by Duke Energy and Conoco...

Milwaukee Valve.(PEOPLE)(John Labellarte appointed as chief operating officer)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... Milwaukee Valve announces the promotion of John Labellarte as its chief operating officer. Labellarte will oversee day-to-day operations including the company's move to its new headquarters in New Berlin, Wis. Labellarte joined...

Titan Propane.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2005... Titan Propane has named David Stroupe as its vice president of business development. Stroupe will be responsible for Titan's acquisitions and will be based in Burlington, Vt. Stroupe has 16 years of experience in the propane and retail...

Valley National Gases.(PEOPLE)(Donald Edwards Jr. appointed as market area manager)(Brief article)
August 1, 2005... The Valley National Gases Inc. has appointed Donald Edwards Jr. as a market area manager. He will be responsible for the Indiana, Johnstown and Altoona locations in Pennsylvania. Edwards has more than 24 years of sales experience. ...

Sharp focus makes business effective.(LET'S TALK)(Column)
August 1, 2005... In my 20-plus years of experience in the retail propane industry, working with one major and many independent marketers, I have seen many different ways to operate a propane company. So, what distinguishes the better operators that produce...

Gas pains.
August 1, 2005... Caption: "IT KEEPS YOUR CUSTOMERS WARM... AND YOUR EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTORS OUT IN THE COLD." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]