LP/Gas articles from December 2006

LP/Gas archives from December 2006

A vote of confidence.(trends in propane market)(Editorial)
December 1, 2006... When spot propane prices at Mont Belvieu topped $1.16 I I this past July, I wondered if spiraling world oil costs would be the final blow that would push marketers out of the business once and for all. The feedback from retailers responding...

Transportation.(IN THE KNOW)
December 1, 2006... We asked 428 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about transportation. We received responses from 68 companies. Here is what they had to say.

Outcomes.(IN THE KNOW)(Retailers survey regarding their transportation needs)(Survey)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... When transporting product, the majority of retailers use a common carrier for their transportation needs. Company-owned trucks and then supplier-provided transportation follow in popularity. In a traditionally price-focused industry, it's no...

The questions/results.(IN THE KNOW)(Survey)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Questions/Results: 1. For your transportation needs, do you use: (Respondents chose multiple answers) Common carrier 51% Company owned 31% Supplier provided ...

Propane Master Limited Corporation.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2006... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (11/17/05) AmeriGas APU Sep 31.95 $2.32 Energy...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2006... Heating degree days by state State Oct Deviation last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 168 15 2603 -236 Alaska 829 -170...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2006... * Jan. 19-20 National Propane Gas Association's Marketers Management Forum at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Phoenix, AZ. For additional details or more information, contact Baron Glassgow at 866881-6309 or bglassgow@npga.org. * Jan. 21-23...

Winter driving safety lessons learned.(SAFETY FIRST)
December 1, 2006... It's no secret that we who live with winter driving hazards use our experience to survive. When I first received my license, I put our old Ford wagon in a few snow banks getting used to icy roads. Luckily for me no damage was done. Finally my...

Valuation methodologies matter.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
December 1, 2006... We all are basically in the same business, yet it is a curious fact that many of us see value in a very different way. This difference is important to understand as we attempt to grow and presumably increase the value of our companies. The...

Let it snow, let it snow!(LEGAL BRIEF)(propane tank's safety measures)
December 1, 2006... Usually described as the busy season, winter brings with it many good things for propane markets in colder climates. It also brings heavy snowfalls that can completely bury a propane tank in the field. In some circumstances the tank lines...

A post mid-term election view: barring fuel supply disruptions or domestic or international crisis, the upcoming session may bring more rhetoric than policy change as the two parties fight for dominance of the political, agenda.
December 1, 2006... With the Democratic takeover of the Senate and House of Representatives, he propane industry may have some adjustments to make. While industry leaders have worked to move its agenda with bipartisan support, they often relied on Republicans...

How much are your customers really costing you? Competitive advantage is what customer service is all about.(STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2006)(Cover story)(Survey)
December 1, 2006... Like last year, respondents to the 2006 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Survey said that customer loyalty topped the list of what was advantageous to their business in this highly competitive retailing environment. Loyalty undoubtedly comes from great...

Proof of performance: PERC study examines regulator durability and service life; chafes equipment manufacturers.(Propane Education & Research Council )(Report)
December 1, 2006... A two-year study of propane vapor regulators has determined that age has little effect on the performance of first- and second-stage regulators, but it plays a significant role in how well single-stage devices work. It also found a higher...

Homeland Security defends hazmat monitoring.(DALLAS, TEXAS)(monitoring the shipment of hazardous materials)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Close monitoring of the shipment of dangerous goods is a necessary evil, according to Michael Chertoff, head of the Department of Homeland Security. At a gathering of the American Trucking Association's annual Management Conference &...

Federal wetlines rule could make comeback.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has left open the door to the possibility it that could revive a proposal to require tank drivers to drain the pipes used for loading and unloading flammable liquids. The original...

Boilers recalled for potential CO poisoning.(Weil-McLain Co. recalls its Ultra Series Gas Boilers, carbon monoxide)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Weil-McLain announces the voluntary recall of 16,000 of its Ultra Series Gas Boilers. The boilers were manufactured for use with natural gas, but may have a blue tag incorrectly indicating to installers that they are intended for use with...

Gas fire pits recalled for fire hazard.(Agio International recalls its outdoor fire pits)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Agio International of Hong Kong announce the recall of the company's outdoor gas fire pits. The voluntary recall affects 22,000 pits. The regulator hose for the propane cylinder can touch the...

Liberty Propane acquires three businesses.(OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS)
December 1, 2006... Liberty Propane announces the acquisition of three retail propane companies. The acquisitions include Mid State Gas Co. in Pittsfield, Maine, about 40 miles west of Bangor. It is Liberty's first outlet in Maine and has 2,200 customers. ...

Waste-to-energy technology demonstrated.(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA)(Western Propane Gas Association)(Propane Education & Research Council)(University of California, Davis)(Onsite Power Systems)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Western Propane Gas Association, the Propane Education & Research Council, the University of California, Davis, Onsite Power Systems and others have started an anaerobic biodigester system for UC Davis' Biogas Energy project. The...

Five new risk management products.(HOUSTON, TX)(chemconnect partnership with The Clearing Corp. and Oil Price Information Service)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... ChemConnect Inc., an electronic exchange for trading midstream energy, feedstocks, chemicals and related products, will list five new NGL products and new locations for financially cleared trading on the ChemConnect over-the-counter platform....

Eastern Propane lauded as exceptional employer.(OAK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY)(Employers Association of New Jersey)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Eastern Propane has been awarded the Exceptional Employer of the Year Award by the Employers Association of New Jersey. Annually the group honors those companies that maintain exceptional workplace practices toward the goal of encouraging...

Tax credit might apply to forklifts, NPGA argues.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
December 1, 2006... Propane sold to power forklifts may be eligible for an Internal Revenue Service alternative fuel tax credit, according to an interpretation by the National Propane Gas Association. The IRS is offering a credit of 50 cents per gallon for...

Bi-fuel propane vapor injection system certified.(JASPER, INDIANA)(Prins Americas )(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Prins Americas bi-fuel propane Vapor Sequential Injection system has recently received the EPA's state certificate of conformity for a variety of General Motors 6.0-liter vehicle platforms. The system is approved for six Chevrolet...

California mulls diesel engine retrofit requirement.(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... State environmental regulators in California are considering a requirement that truck operators retrofit all diesel engine models through 2006 to cut emissions. The proposal would also apply to out-of-state trucks that regularly visit the...

Flow simulation software.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... Actaris announces that it has used EFD.Lab computerized fluid dynamics software from Flomerics to design innovative gas meters. The meters work on a principle of putting an obstacle in the flow stream and using a sensor to measure the resulting...

Routing and navigation system.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... Teletrac announces the availability of its FleetDirector Turn-by-Turn vehicle routing and navigation system. The software provides speed-calibrated, real-time, turn-by-turn, verbal directions to guide drivers to their specific destination....

Safety goggles.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... Uvex has launched its Strategy Goggle, safety glasses that fit over most prescription eyewear. The goggle meets both ANSI and CSA standards and offers a lightweight body comprised of soft, flexible thermopoly elastomer that conforms to the...

Gas furnace.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... International Comfort Products' Heil brand of heating and cooling products introduces the QuietComfort DLX 80 gas furnace. The heating capacity is 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 MBTUh with an 80 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). The gas...

Sliding vane pumps.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... Blackmer has upgraded its sliding vane pumps for use in ethanol and biodiesel applications. An upgrade to the elastomer seals in several sliding vane pump series makes the pumps compatible with ultra-low sulfur diesel and all ethanol and...

Portable forced-air heater.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... ReddyHeater, by DESA, introduces its TB 100 propane forced-air heater. The unit heats up to 1,265 square feet and produces 30,000 to 55,000 Btu per hour with an adjustable heat output. It runs approximately 7.5 hours to 14 hours on a 20-pound...

Sensor instrumentation system.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... VIP SENSORS announces the release of its Smart Sensors Network System--a distributed sensor instrumentation system designed to make the installation of multiple sensors less complicated. The system has synchronous/simultaneous sampling...

Construction heater.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... SunStar introduces its RCH Model infrared heater, offered in manual or energy-saving thermostatically controlled models. Designed for construction sites to work areas to partially open buildings, the versatile heaters can withstand severe...

Propane heater.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2006... DESA introduces its Pro-Tough propane forced-air heater. The newly engineered model operates 25 percent quieter than many older models. It is equipped with a high-capacity fan to circulate directional heat and integrates an...

Severn Glocon.(appointment of Bill Meeks)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Severn Glocon, a UK-based manufacturer of control valves, has appointed Bill Meeks as it sales manager of the Americas. He will work out of Houston. Meeks will be responsible for coordinating the company's representative network and...

Propane Resources.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... Propane Resources announces the addition of Mitch Genslinger to its business consulting team. He has 20 years of experience in the industry, and recently served as a consultant to independent propane marketers selling their businesses....

Gas Equipment Co. Inc.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... Gas Equipment Co. Inc. has picked Calvin Powell to be the customer service manager for its Atlanta distribution warehouse and service center. He has 28 years of experience in the propane industry. The center services customers in Georgia,...

Modern Home Products.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... Modern Home Products has hired Thomas McAleer as a regional sales manager, responsible for Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. He will also be responsible for product management for grill replacement parts. He has more than 18 years'...

Florida Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... The Florida Propane Gas Association announces its new slate of officers. Morris Duncan, of Quality Propane, is president. Steve Krutsinger, of Krutsinger Services is president-elect. Randy Sams, of Sams LP Gas, is vice president and Henry...

Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association announces its new leadership slate. The group's president is Daniel Messett, of Penn Fuel Propane. President-elect is Kenneth Longacre Jr., of Farm & Home Oil Co. Jeffrey Shaffer, of Shaffer's...

FACTOR.(appointment of Randall Brengle, Kate Stewart and Robert E Ellis)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... FACTOR, a division of W.R. Hess Co., has appointed seven people, including four to key managerial posts. Randall Brengle has been named vice president of sales. Prior to joining FACTOR, he worked in multiple senior management roles with TCI...

Managing driver performance is vital.(LET'S TALK)(driver performance management program)
December 1, 2006... Propane fleet operatorss often strugle when it comes to developing an effective driver performance management program. The challenge for most companies in this industry is usually the first logical step of any performance man agement program:...

Gas pains.(LET'S TALK)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... I WANT IT AS COLD AS THE NORTH POLE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]