LP/Gas articles from August 2006

LP/Gas archives from August 2006

Opportunity to learn.(VIEW POINT)(World LP Gas Forum)
August 1, 2006... Nobody has to tell propane marketers that today's business climate is far more complex than a generation ago. Their fathers and grandfathers established and proudly ran the family business with little concept of computers, fuel cells,...

In the know.(survey on Department of Transportation audit of propane industry)(Survey)
August 1, 2006... DOT Audit Survey We asked 402 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about DOT audit preparedness. We heard from 69 companies. Outcomes: When it comes to safety regulation compliance, a great...

LP/gas stock index.(Statistical table)
August 1, 2006... LP/GAS STOCK INDEX Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (7/14/06) AmeriGas APU Sept. $29.86...

Heating degree days by state.(Table)
August 1, 2006... 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 weather updates www.LPGASmagazine.corn Heating...

Upcoming events.(oil and gas associations)(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... * August 13-15 Ohio Propane Gas Association summer convention at the Maumee Bay Resort in Oregon, OH. For details, contact Anita Field at 614-221-1900, ext. 215 or opga@assnoffices.com. * August 16-18 Northwest Propane convention and...

In memory of the safety Committee.(SAFETY FIRST)(closure of National Propane Gas Association's Safety Committee)
August 1, 2006... I am sad to report the death of the National Propane Gas Association's Safety Committee. Twenty years ago or so, as a younger insurance guy, I decided to invest in my future by joining the NPGA and the Safety Committee. My first meeting...

Making the future, today.(BUSINESS MATTERS)(business forecasting in propane industry)
August 1, 2006... This is the sixth in a series on business topics inspired by the 20th century business management icon Peter Drucker. Most propane managers tend to manage their business for the reality of yesterday. We often assume that past events will...

The devil is in the details.(LEGAL BRIEF)(report on accidents in propane industry)(Report)
August 1, 2006... I was fortunate to serve as legal counsel for the Propane Incident Data Collection Project that is featured in this issue of LP Gas Magazine. The full report contains incredible information on accidents related to propane use. It is the...

The dog days of Congress.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(bill for taxes on natural gas pipelines )
August 1, 2006... It's the dog days of August in Washington, and Congress has closed up shop and gone home for their annual August recess. Congress plans to return on Sept. 5 and has a lot of unfinished business that may be of interest to the propane industry...

Safety in numbers: comprehensive, nationwide report provides first-ever look at volume and causes of safety incidents throughout the propane industry.(safety incidents analysis at propane industry)(Cover story)
August 1, 2006... For the first time ever, the propane industry has a comprehensive compilation and statistical analysis of data on safety incidents involving the nationwide distribution, transportation and use of odorized propane. Researchers from the Mary...

Our 'house': Ray Murray Inc.'s Massachusetts-based warehouse helps them serve customers and improve efficiencies.(Company overview)
August 1, 2006... Just about every business in any industry wants to be more efficient. The question is: How? Streamlining processes, incorporating new and emerging technologies, and altering business plans are all ways to increase efficiency. Another way is to...

Showrooms: great place to showcase or waste of space?(Liquefied petroleum gas industry survey on showroom facilities)
August 1, 2006... For a variety of companies in myriad industries, a showroom is a great way to show off the latest and greatest products to new and existing customers. Showrooms in the propane industry were once prevalent. Many moved away from them, but they...

Distributors: still vital.(distributors role in propane industry)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... 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...

BP charged with manipulating TET propane prices.(INDUSTRY)(BP Products North America Inc)
August 1, 2006... Federal investigators have filed charges that BP Products North America Inc. (BP) energy traders cornered the U.S. propane market in the winter of 2004 and illegally manipulated prices, driving up heating costs for propane retailers and...

Mow, mulch and munch.(Dixie Chopper)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Somewhere, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor is smiling. In the true tradition of comic Tim Allen's famed TV alter ego, Dixie Chopper has one-upped the more-power-crazed "Home Improvement" star with its latest lawn-mowing stunt. Dixie Chopper...

NPGA asks members to fight pipeline rate increase.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The National Propane Gas Association is asking its members to help fight a proposed 98 percent increase in rates to use the Mid-America Pipeline (MAPL). In recent years, MAPL has been locked in a hotly contested battle with several propane...

All Star Gas Corp. to move headquarters to Dallas.(LEBANON, MISSOURI)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... All Star Gas Corp. will move its corporate headquarters from Lebanon, Mo., to Dallas by this fall to make it easier to work with its locations in the western part of the country. The company, which has been in business for more than 30...

AW&T buys Ferrellgas tank refurbishing business.(MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA)(American Welding & Tank)(mergers and acquisitions )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... American Welding & Tank, a division of Harsco GasServ, has purchased Ferrellgas' propane tank refurbishing business for an undisclosed price. Under terms of the agreement, Ferrellgas will buy its refurbished tanks from AWT. "This...

Hurricane dwellers expect outages, survey says.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Survey)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A survey by the Propane Education & Research Council has found that 48 percent of adults who live in hurricane-prone states anticipate losing electricity for 24 hours or more during this hurricane season. And one out every three adults surveyed...

AmeriGas site fined for failing to file hazmat reports.(DALLESPORT, WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... AmeriGas must pay $28,495 for falling to file inventory reports with the Washington state and local officials regarding propane stored at its Dallesport, Wash., location. According to the EPA, the Tier II Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals...

More truck drivers sticking with their jobs, survey says.(ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The number of large-truck drivers staying on the job has improved by 20 percentage points over the previous quarter, according to a study by the American Trucking Associations. The study, which tracks the turnover rate for small- and...

Emissions-testing planned for heavy-duty diesel vehicles.(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Engine Manufacturers Association is launching an in-use emissions testing program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles that it hopes will ensure lower emissions and improve air quality. Beginning with a pilot program for model year 2005 and...

Propane exercise turns explosive.(BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... An investigation is under way into a July 14 propane explosion at a fire academy in Bergen County, N.J. Steven Alvarez, an instructor, was inside the 20,000-square-foot concrete building preparing training exercises when an explosion...

Escalating brass costs drive up Cavagna prices.(SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY)(Cavagna North America)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Cavagna North America, a division of the Cavagna Group, has increased its prices 18 percent because of the rising costs of its raw materials and energy. The price increase, effective July 10, comes just over a month after its previous June...

Wetlines do not have to be drained, agency decides.(Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Haulers of flammable liquids will not be required to fully drain the pipes used in loading and unloading after a pickup or delivery. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration withdrew a rule proposed in 2004 that would have...

Survey under way to determine best timing of hydrostatic tests.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A California-based consulting company is seeking propane marketers to participate in a survey of propane bobtail delivery vehicles. Department of Transportation regulations require hydrostatic tests on the vehicles at least every five...

Highway Watch program gets $4.8 million from feds.(federal Department of Homeland Security)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The federal Department of Homeland Security has given the American Trucking Associations $4.8 million to fund a program aimed at promoting safety along the nation's roads. The program, managed by the ATA, recruits and trains highway...

SAFE Truckers Act gains support from trucking industry.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A bill to implement a risk-based approach to homeland security has gained the support of the American Trucking Associations. The SAFE Truckers Act would require the Department of Homeland Security to identify materials in amounts and form...

NPGA protests nationwide tracking bill.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The National Propane Gas Association is among those opposing an amendment to the 2007 Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would budget $50 million to implement satellite tracking of trucks carrying hazardous materials. NPGA...

Portable gas detector.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Innotek Corp. is touting its Innotek Portable Gas Detector "PG-1" that allows the easy detection of dangerous gases. It is billed as a simple-to-use "magic wand" that can be used to locate propane and natural gas leaks while on the job, at home...

Safety eyewear.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Wilson Safety Products has launched its A700 and A800 series of safety eyewear. Designed in a sporty style, the eyewear meets ANSI safety standards. The A700 series consists of a lightweight, wrap-around, 9-base lens design that provides...

Web site makes debut.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Lennox Hearth Products has launched its new business-to-business Web site, DaveNet Fireside. Initially launched by Lennox Home Comfort Systems, the online tool allows Lennox dealers and distributors to access information, file warranty claims...

Outdoor fireplace.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Lennox Hearth Products has introduced a new outdoor fireplace that offers easier and more flexible installation. The Elite Series Outdoor Gas Fireplace has a 304 stainless steel front face and firebox parts are weather-resistant. The...

Nut drivers.(PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Klein Tools has expanded its line of Cushion-Grip Magnetic-Tip Nut Drivers to include 11 magnetic nut drivers and two new seven-piece magnetic nut driver sets. The new magnetic nut drivers feature rare-earth magnetic tips and a full hollow...

Ground protection mats.(AlturnaMats)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... AlturnaMats has extended the guarantee on its ground protection mats to six full years. The mats were previously guaranteed for three years, but recent tests performed in extreme cold and heat for several years while handling 60-ton...

Communicating to the troops.
August 1, 2006... For years, proper procedures and control reports have been provided by computer system vendors to insure the accuracy of input data and to balance inventory and deliveries on a daily basis. This data feeds into the general ledger and canned...

Gas pains.
August 1, 2006... Caption: "... BUT JUMPING 10 CYLINDERS ON A SKATEBOARD ISN'T EXACTLY PROPANE-RELATED... NOW, IS IT MR. JONES?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]