LP/Gas articles from December 2003

LP/Gas archives from December 2003

And the answer is?(View Point)(Editorial)(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2003... What I like best about our annual State of the Industry Report is that it gives propane retailers nationwide an open forum to give unbridled, bare-knuckled feedback from the front lines. So, when 424 marketers take the time to answer our...

Propane MLP price history.
December 1, 2003... 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.(heating degree days for October)(Illustration)
December 1, 2003... Heating degree days by state State October Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm monts from norm Alabama 135 -18 3610 -768 Alaska ...

Upcoming events.(Propane gas)(Calendar)
December 1, 2003... * January 16-17 National Propane Gas Association's Marketers' Management Forum at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. For details, contact Baron Glassgow at bglassgow@npga.org or 480-922-1056. * January 18-20 Minnesota Propane Gas...

Safety issues do not take holidays.(Safety First)
December 1, 2003... The holiday season starts with Thanksgiving and moves through Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Day. Each is a seasonal celebration in which we give thanks, celebrate and share gifts of hope and love. We make resolutions as if this time...

Solid accounting adds business value.(Business Matters)
December 1, 2003... It's true. As one who spends my time analyzing businesses, I can say without question that a business that produces high-quality financial statements that have integrity and show the true financial performance of the company will bring more...

LIHEAP funds could grow with bill.(Washington Report)(Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)(Poverty Reduction & Prevention Act of 2003)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program could get $3.4 billion in each of the next three years under the Poverty Reduction & Prevention Act of 2003. The bipartisan bill would also allow states to get emergency funds if home energy...

Feds see winter price stability.(Briefly Speaking)(Propane price analysis)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... EIA projects nearly stable propane prices this winter, with a 3 percent drop in use. Projections assume normal weather. The end-of-October average residential propane price of 132.5 cents per gallon amounted to an increase of 17.4 cents...

Background checks delayed.(Briefly Speaking)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Transportation Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration delayed the compliance date for requiring TSA background checks before states could give hazmat endorsements on commercial driver's licenses. The...

Hazmat transportation regs.(Briefly Speaking)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Starting next October, federal rules will clarify when hazmat transportation regulations apply to preparation, loading, unloading and storage. The rules will apply from the time carriers take possession until they deliver the product. The...

Overtime rule changes long overdue; although the proposed revisions are seen as important to employers, they are not at the heart of the amendments and the changes many employers had hoped for.(Legal Ease)
December 1, 2003... By now you've likely heard of the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is the primary statute governing employee entitlement to overtime compensation. The revisions primarily address the tests for...

2003 state of the industry: propane retailing: an industry in cost crisis.(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2003... The numbers don't lie; neither do the voices of frightened and frustrated propane marketers everywhere who say the mounting cost of doing business is smothering them. With virtually 100 percent of survey respondents experiencing a...

First dedicated propane buses debut at trade shows.(Industry)
December 1, 2003... After years of prodding by propane advocates and transportation officials, two long-awaited, dedicated propane buses--a low-floor shuttle and a school bus--have made their debut at separate trade shows. Heart International unveiled a...

Niagara Energy opens new underground storage facility.(North Collins, New York)(propane)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Niagara Energy has opened a 367,500-gallon propane storage facility in western New York with access to the Buffalo Southern Railroad. The facility, built on Route 62 in the town of North Collins, includes two 90,000-gallon and three...

WPGA helps relief efforts following California fires.(Sacramento, California)(Western Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Western Propane Gas Association is helping to coordinate evacuation center relief efforts by providing cylinders and propane to fuel hot plates and grills to feed emergency responders and evacuees following the devastating fires in southern...

Energy transfer, heritage deal adds natural gas operations.(Tulsa, Oklahoma)(U.S. Propane LLC acquisition by affiliates of Energy Transfer )
December 1, 2003... A deal between Heritage Propane Partners and Energy Transfer Co. allows affiliates of Energy Transfer to buy U.S. Propane LP--Heritage's general partner--and U.S. Propane LLC. Meanwhile, Heritage will add Energy Transfer's natural gas midstream...

Suburban propane to buy Agway Energy Products.(Whippany, New Jersey)(Agway Energy Services Inc. and Agway Energy Services PA Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Suburban Propane will buy the assets of Agway Energy Products, Agway Energy Services Inc. and Agway Energy Services PA Inc. for $206 million. Agway Inc is a debtor-in-possession under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in a case pending...

Inergy acquires two more propane retailers.(Kansas City, Missouri)(Peoples Gas and Appliances and Smith Propane)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Inergy has acquired Peoples Gas and Appliances in Beaufort, S.C. and Smith Propane in La Crosse, Va. The Peoples Gas site, near Hilton Head Island, will be managed by Marlo Young, president of Inergy Southeast. Jay Cates, another regional...

Southeastern Energy buys Triangle Gas in first deal.(Beaufort, South Carolina)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Southeastern Energy Partners of Cummming, Ga., in its first retail acquisition, has purchased the assets of Triangle Gas in Beaufort, S.C., near Hilton Head Island. Triangle Gas serves about 3,000 customers in the region. "Our approach...

Online workbook breaks down fuel usage by county.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Propane marketers can break down propane usage by county under a census-based workbook accessible online through the Propane Education & Research Council. The Microsoft Excel workbook, found at www.propanecouncil.org, describes the usage...

Propane Resources launches classified ad Web site.(Mission, Kansas)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A new Web site launched by Propane Resources features classified advertising for the propane industry. The site, at www.propanelist.com, includes categories to buy or sell equipment, seek employment, or seek employees. Advertisements,...

Hearth handbooks available to guide building, code officials.(Arlington, Virginia)(Hearth Education Foundation )
December 1, 2003... The HEARTH Education Foundation is offering two new guides to all major hearth appliances and their venting systems, written specifically for building and code officials. The handbooks, "Gas Hearth Systems" and "Solid Fuel Hearth Systems,"...

SolArc secures $25 million in private equity funding.(Tulsa, Oklahoma)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... SolArc Inc., a provider of supply and trade management solutions for global commodities companies, has secured $25 million in private equity funding from Technology Crossover Ventures. The deal signals a return of investor interest in the...

NPGA seeks facilitator for marketers group.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The National Propane Gas Association is adding a fifth discussion group to its successful Marketers' Management Forum and looking for a skilled facilitator to lead it when it starts in May. The forum gives marketers a chance to compare...

Volunteers needed for 2004 International Builders' Show.(Las Vegas, Nevada)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Propane Education & Resource Council is asking members of the propane industry to volunteer at a booth during the 2004 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. The show, which runs Jan. 19-22, will feature a large exhibit in...

Hurricane safety tips offered.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association and the Propane Education & Research Council tips about hurricanes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In the wake of the devastation caused along the East Coast by Hurricane Isabel, the National Propane Gas Association and the Propane Education & Research Council are offering safety steps consumers should take regarding their propane appliances...

Pipeline work delay could impact area supply.(Todhunter, Ohio)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Propane shippers who rely on the TEPPCO Northeast LPG pipeline east of Todhunter, Ohio, may find less inventory than usual for the start of the winter heating season after construction issues delayed the pipeline's expansion. TEPPCO put...

Louisville Tin & Stove Co.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Mike Eimers has joined the sales team of Louisville Tin & Stove Co. Although he will handle a variety of in-house sales and service calls, he will be responsible for the eastern United States. He has seven years of outside sales experience.

Global Gas.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Ed Varney is the new Northeast/Mid-Atlantic sales manager for Global Gas in Denver, Colo. Varney, a 13-year industry veteran who most recently served as director of national accounts for AmeriGas, is joining D.D. Alexander and Dave Collins...

Stellar Industries Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Stellar Industries has named Kenneth Lee as its chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Lee previously was a senior vice president of investments and corporate finance. He is a certified public accountant. The company also has...

Suburban Propane.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Robert M. Plante, vice president, finance, for Suburban Propane, has been named vice president and chief financial officer. Plante, has spent more than 26 years with the company. Janice G. Meola, general counsel and secretary, was promoted...

EnergyUnited Propane.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Don Schalk is the new general manager of EnergyUnited Propane in Statesville, N.C. He will handle day-to-day operations of the multi-state retailer. Before joining the company, he was president and chief executive officer of Richland Partners,...

Star Manufacturing International Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Dave Backs has been appointed national sales manager for Star Manufacturing International Inc.'s consumer products division. He will oversee the company's recent addition of consumer products to its commercial restaurant equipment business. The...

Monessen Hearth Systems.(People)(Mike Shippy,Randy Pool, Tony Fabris)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Monessen Hearth Systems has hired three men to boost the company's management team. Mike Shippy will serve as product manager for the Ambient Technologies Remote Control and Gas Log divisions. He most recently worked for NRG Distributors and...

UGI Corp.(People)(Robert H. Knauss)(Margaret M. Clabrese)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Robert H. Knauss has been named vice president and general counsel of UGI Corp. Knauss reports directly to Lon R. Greenberg, the company's chairman, president and chief executive officer. Knauss also will serve as vice president-law and general...

Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Bill James is Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment's new territory manager for the Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia dealer locations. He will be responsible for sales calls, product training and marketing assistance. James most recently was a...

Ferrellgas.(People)(Stacy Lamprecht, area manager)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Ferrellgas has named Stacy Lamprecht area manager for its Iowa/Nebraska area. She will be responsible for retail districts in Nebraska, parts of Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. Lamprecht joined the company in September from Enterprise...

Digital Dispatcher.(People)(Mike Walls)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Mike Walls has joined Digital Dispatcher as a sales and business development partner. Walls has 20 years' experience with meters, electronic registers and point-of-sale devices, with a specialty in truck automation systems.

Clean Fuel Technologies.(People)(Curtis Donaldson recives Alternative Fuel Vehicles Hero Award)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Curtis Donaldson has received the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuel Vehicles Hero Award. Donaldson, president of Clean Fueling Technologies Inc. in Georgetown, Texas, was recognized for his leadership in creating alternative...

William McHenry.(People)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
December 1, 2003... William McHenry, owner of Pro-Gas Sales and Service in Muskegon, Mich., died Oct. 28 following a long illness. McHenry, 73 served as president of the National Propane Gas Association from 1988-89. He also was past president of the Michigan...

Explosion-proof sensor housing.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... MTS Systems Corp. introduces its TempoGuard II explosion-proof, high-pressure housing for Class I, Division I, Groups A, B, C and D areas. The integrated, sealed, stainless-steel sensor package prevents ignition of flammable gasses and...

Mechanical coupling.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Perfection Corp. introduces its large-diameter mechanical coupling for joining polyethylene to polyvinyl chloride gas mains. The new coupling, available in two- and four-inch sizes, features non-corrosive components that eliminate the need...

Updated LPG filter.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... ACME Alternate Fuel Systems announces the availability of a new vehicle filter and update kit for the original Parker LPG filter, which is no longer manufactured. The updated filter features an increased diameter for greater filtration...

Crane service body.(Products)(Auto Crane Co.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Auto Crane Co. presents the newly redesigned Titan 38 crane service body to combine lifting strength with a sleek chassis. The Titan 38 supports up to a 38,000-foot/lb. crane, and features an exclusive one-piece side pack constructed of...

Gas line pressure regulator.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The C.R.C. Carter Regulator Cover is designed to safeguard regulators from corrosion and damage caused by dirt, dust and water. The cover is quickly installed on existing regulators. It is made from a heavy-duty, injection-molded plastic or...

Grill protector.(Products)
December 1, 2003... Wagner Manufacturing, a division of DiversiTech, introduces the Splatter Mat, a low-cost mat to protect the surfaces under grills. The mat is made of lightweight, durable, UV-resistant polymer but features a natural wood-grain appearance....

Configuration software.(Products)
December 1, 2003... Actaris Neptune presents new configuration software for the Neptune E4000 Electronic Register. The E4000 Configuration Program simplifies initial set-up and sharing of data between Neptune E4000 Electronic Truck Meter Registers and...

Professional gas grills.(Products)
December 1, 2003... Star Manufacturing International Inc. introduces a line of professional outdoor gas grills that range from 24 to 48 inches wide and can be purchased for built-in installations or stand-along operation. The grills feature Precision On-Grill...

Vent-free heater.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Vanguard presents the Northern Red Oak Vent-Free Gas Log Heater with glowing embers. The log features electronic ignition and a low-profile design to hide the controls. Four optional remote control devices are available. For more...

Gas insert.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Heatilator announces its ADI-ZC-FB gas insert to update an existing prefabricated fireplace. The ADI-ZC-FB is formed from patented FireBrick material, which allows the firebox to be formed to a custom size and shape. It is designed to...

Wireless transmitter.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Honeywell-Sensotec offers its Model WTB battery-operated, wireless transmitter option for its line of bridge-based sensors. The wireless system, which works up to 300 feet away, eliminates cables and sensing devices to simplify testing,...

Fuel filter update kits.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... ACME Alternate Fuel Systems Inc. is carrying a new filter and update kit for alternate-fuel systems and accessories to replace the discontinued OEM LPG filters on several different vehicle models. The kit fits the Parker LPG filter in...

NPGA seeks equitable linefill program.(Let's Talk)
December 1, 2003... We encounter many challenges in this industry. One of the most compelling issues we face each year is ensuring a reliable supply of propane for our customers. By now you've probably heard that the National Propane Gas Association has...