LP/Gas articles from February 2002

LP/Gas archives from February 2002

NPGA move a done deal.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Fat Lady hasn't yet sung, but the battle to retool and relocate the National Propane Gas Association in Washington, D.C. is over. For the record, the NPGA's board of directors meets Feb. 11 and 12 in California to vote on the...

Aftermarket vehicle conversions: A call to extend EPA Memorandum 1A.
February 1, 2002... The propane industry is smart to continue its efforts to convert vehicles aftermarket to run on propane, and it's right to push for continued EPA support for such a program. There's a growing demand from fleet operators who increasingly...

WEATHER WATCH.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... WEATHER WATCH Heating degree days by state State December Deviation Year- Deviation from norm to-Date[*] from norm Alabama 482 -115 ...

Feds tighten pipeline spill regulations.
February 1, 2002... Recently adopted changes in federal pipeline safety rules substantially lower the threshold of who must file reports when liquid pipelines spill. The Research and Special Programs Administration claims it issued the final rules, effective...

Propane inventories.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Propane inventories remained above average all across the country in early January despite seasonal declines. At the start of the year, 65.4 million barrels remained on hand, according to the Energy Information Administration. Residential...

Tax breaks stalled.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Not only were hopes for a new energy policy indefinitely dashed, so were hopes for any tax breaks for propane-powered vehicles. Though both the House and Senate included them in stimulus legislation, Congress couldn't agree on a package and...

Magaw nominated.(John Magaw)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... President Bush nominated John Magaw as Under Secretary for Transportation Security. Magaw heads the new Transportation Security Administration. Magaw comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he served most recently as...

Propane consumption.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Use of LPG will total about 482,000 barrels a day more in 2020 than it did in 2000, projects EIA's Annual Energy Outlook.

Freight trucking grows.(Census Bureau report)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Hiring truckers to transport freight is gaining popularity. The Census Bureau reported that freight trucking generated $199 billion in 2000, up 6 percent or $12 billion from the previous year.

Truck air brakes.(rules amended by)(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has amended its rules to clear up discrepancies in truck air brake systems. The rules, effective immediately, prohibit overloading of single-unit truck axles, clean up some inconsistencies...

Cargo tank safety advisory.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a safety advisory Dec. 12 removing from service MC-331 cargo tank motor vehicles with designs T-5314 and T-5602-A, both of which were certified in-1997 by Chemical Transportation...

Dishwasher ratings.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy changed its mind about changing the rules for testing dishwasher controls. Makers of soil-sensing machines can continue to record their energy use by measuring what it takes to run a...

LIHEAP funds.(Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... You can count on $1.7 billion in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program dollars this year. Congress OK'd that much in basic grants, but added an additional $300 million for emergencies.

Alternative fuel break.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dual-fuel autos will likely continue to get a break when fuel efficiency is calculated. NHTSA announced it plans to propose rules to continue the fuel rconomy manufacturing Incentives for alternative fuel vehicles. The law allows a special...

With action on an energy package stymied.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * With action on an energy package stymied for 2001, Senate Democrats went back to the drawing board and introduced a new plan for the 2002 legislative session. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Committee on Energy & Natural...

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program could get up to $3.4 billion a year and WAP $325 billion in 2003, rising to $500 million in 2005. A new Low Income Community Energy Efficiency Pilot Program would provide $10 million/year for...

National propane inventories.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... * National propane inventories remained above average at the beginning of December for the time of year. Stocks consisted of 70.754 million barrels, well above the 58.854 million of the year before. Both wholesale and retail prices remained...

Will Washington tighten up on vehicle conversions? New Micro Volume Manufacturers category proposed to EPA.
February 1, 2002... After years of hobbling along on temporary fixes, representatives from the propane industry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are on the verge of hammering out a permanent resolution to the EPA's demand for cleaner vehicle emissions...

Inergy buys Independent Propane, jumps to No. 8.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Inergy will acquire Independent Propane Co., based in Irving, Texas, for about $91.5 million in a year-end deal that makes Inergy the eighth-largest retail propane marketer in the United States. The deal, announced Dec. 19, gives Inergy an...

Unsafe cargo tank vehicle bumpers get FMCSA warning.(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is warning carriers that the bumpers of MC-331 cargo tank motor vehicles assembled by Chemical Transportation Engineering Consultants do not meet the minimum design requirements of the Hazardous...

NPGA campaign helps stop RSPA's cylinder proposal.(National Propane Gas Association,)(Research and Special Projects Administration)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... "Significant adverse comment" has ended the Research and Special Projects Administration's HM-220 proposal to require compressed gas cylinders be manufactured and labeled in metric units, among other revisions. The National Propane Gas...

Dynegy expands agreements with ChevronTexaco.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dynegy Inc. has expanded and extended its commercial agreements with ChevronTexaco to purchase substantially all of the former Texaco's undedicated U.S. natural gas and natural gas liquids production through Aug. 31, 2006. The expanded...

Modern Gas acquires New Jersey marketer.(Russo Propane Gas Service Inc)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Modern Gas Co. Inc. adds 800 accounts and about 400,000 gallons to its total sales with the acquisition of Russo Propane Gas Service Inc. of Manahawkin, N.J. In addition to retail propane sales, Modern Gas, southern New Jersey's largest...

Ferrellgas acquires Blue Flame, adds 3.5 million gallons.(Blue Flame Bottle Gas Service Inc., )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Ferrellgas Partners has acquired Blue Flame Bottle Gas Service Inc., adding 8,600 customers and more than 3.5 million gallons to its annual retail sales volume. Blue Flame maintained customer service locations in Tucson, Sierra Vista and...

Two deals add 3 million gallons to Heritage Propane's volume.(Heritage Propane Partners )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Heritage Propane Partners has acquired the assets of Quality Gas of Oakboro, N.C., and Evergreen Propane Inc. of Centralia, Wash. The Quality Gas deal gives Heritage an additional 2.4 million gallons and 3,900 customers. Former owners...

CFM Majestic plans to acquire aftermarket grill products maker.(Keanall Holdings Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CFM Majestic Inc. will buy aftermarket gas grill products manufacturer Keanall Holdings Limited for $40 million and more than 2.5 million common shares of CFM. Keanall serves the recreational and home improvement market with a range of...

OPW Fueling Components purchases Italian firm.(BN Italy-Brevetti Nettuno)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... OPW Fueling Components has acquired BN Italy-Brevetti Nettuno, a 42-year-old manufacturer of propane dispensing products based in Bologna, Italy. Piero Fiumi and Franco Frascaroli will continue their roles under the new ownership. OPW...

AgriPride FS expands territory with Turner Propane purchase.(Turner Propane Service )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... AgriPride FS Inc. adds more than 1.1 million gallons and 1,200 customers to its total volume sales with the purchase of Turner Propane Service of Mt. Vernon, Ill. The acquisition allows AgriPride to expand its operations throughout...

Top 50 Retailers Rankings : Profiles of the largest propane retail marketers in the United States.(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... * 1 AmeriGas Partners, L. P. P.O. Box 965 * Valley Forge, PA 19482 Phone: 610.337-7000 * Fax: 610.992-3253 Web site: www.amerigas.com Founded: 1959 Owners: Publicly held Outlets: 700 * States: 50 Customers: 1,293,969 2001 fiscal...

Pinehurst Pars, Putts : Propane Golfers field to face North Carolina's top courses.
February 1, 2002... Since competing in the first Propane Golfers Assn. medal-handicap tournament back in 1985, when it was held at Kings Island, Ohio, contestants in the event have played several of the nation's finest golf resorts: Callaway Gardens, Innisbrook,...

Dispenser flowmeter.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... The Neptune 1-inch Type 4D-MD liquid propane gas dispenser flowmeter by Actaris metering systems has an oscillating piston design with an extended flow range. A dual case chamber design eliminates chamber distortion and pressure imbalances to...

Fireplace.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Heat-N-Glo, a division of Hearth Technologies Inc., has designed a southwest-style kiva fireplace that can be used indoors. The direct-vent Bravo uses patented CFX technology that allows it to have a unique arch shape. A ceramic fiber firebox...

Vacuum booster.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Tuthill Vacuum Systems introduces its Versa-Booster Vacuum Booster, designed to greatly increase vacuum pumping capacity and to provide deeper vacuum levels than a pump alone can provide. The unit is available with either a vertical or...

Designer fireplaces.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Heatilator introduces its line of Designer direct vent gas fireplaces. In addition to the original features of the original Caliber Designer units, the new Caliber Designers boast a new log set, variable flame height control from 26,000 Btu an...

Data collection system.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... The Centeron data collection system allows customers to easily organize vital tank level information. The software, part of the Centeron wireless tank level monitoring system, integrates with the user's business systems to provide instant...

Gas furnace.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... International Comfort Products' new Tempstar PS90 gas furnace is certified for use in single-pipe installations that draw combustion air from within the conditioned space. The non-direct venting gives dealers the flexibility to replace...

Wireless processor.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Virtual Solutions Inc. is offering a new portable, wireless transmitter that allows delivery personnel to process ATM, debit and credit cards for payment. The battery-powered unit eliminates the uncertainty of credit approval. Card holders...

Mid-sized truck.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Stellar Industries Inc. has introduced the 138-215 tire service truck equipped with the model 4500 crane. The crane was designed to fit between the Stellar model 3200 crane and the model 6000 crane to meet the needs of the mid-sized OTR market....

Gas chiminea.
February 1, 2002... Vanguard has created an outdoor, clay chiminea for use with gas logs. Custom-designed with two hand-sculpted clay pieces, the exterior is weather-sealed. An optional full cover is available for additional protection. With a propane conversion...

Remote-control fireplace.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Vanguard offers what it calls the industry's first vent-free fireplace system that gives users complete control from the wall switch or hand-held remote control. The Total Control Fireplace System allows users to light the pilot, adjust the...

Screen capture? Web site.
February 1, 2002... Vanguard's revamped Web site, at www.vanguardheat.com, highlights its new products as well as its older lines of zone heating and hearth products. The site includes product and service information, dealer locations and technical support for...

Hydraulic cooler.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... The Thermaflow Model 500P by STAC Inc. is a new line of hydraulic coolers that uses the products being pumped to cool the hydraulic oil. The design eliminates the need for a fan motor, which can be difficult to clean and costly to maintain. The...

Perfection.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Jim Hansen has been named regional sales manager for gas products at Perfection Corporation. He will be responsible for the sale of gas distribution products in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Hansen, who joined the company in 1991, has...

Williams.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... J. Douglas Whisenant has been propmoted to president and chief executive officer of Williams' interstate natural gas pipeline division. Whisenant, 55, has been senior vice president and general manager of the company's gas pipelines in the...

Stellar Industries.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... David Champagne has been appointed Stellar Industries' regional sales manager for the northeastern region of North America. He will be responsible for sales of the Stellar Shuttle hooklift loaders, mechanic cranes and utility bodies, as...

Pacific Gas Specialties.(Pete Arnold becomes chief executive)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Pete Arnold, co-founder and vice president of Pacific Gas Specialties Corp., will become president and chief executive of the company. He succeeds co-founder George Speicher. Speicher, former co-owner and vice president of AEI Corp., will...

Flagro Industries.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... William Patterson is the new sales manager for Canada and the United States for Flagro Industries Limited, based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He most recently was sales manager for two divisions of Scheu Product Company for 14 years.

R.W. Lyall & Co.(Doug Foucheaux sales manager)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Doug Foucheaux is the new national sales manager for R.W. Lyall & Company Inc., a manufacturer of service line piping systems based in Corona, Calif.

National Propane Gas Association.(John H. Nichols Jr. dies)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 1, 2002... John H. Nichols Jr., a former president of the National LP-Gas Association (now the National Propane Gas Association), died Jan. 1. He was elected president in 1979, when he was executive vice president of Suburban Propane Gas Corp. in...

LP/GAS STOCK INDEX.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... LP/GAS STOCK INDEX Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Yield Ended (1/17/02) AmeriGas APU Sept. $22.40 ...

Propane MLP Price History.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Historic price index Propane stock price history calculated by averaging unweighted prices for AmeriGas, Cornerstone, Ferrellgas, Heritage, Inergy, Star Gas and Suburban master limited partnerships. [GRAPH OMITTED] Sources: Public...

UPCOMING EVENTS.(Brief Article)(Directory)
February 1, 2002... * March 4-7 Purvin & Gertz U.S. International LPG Seminar at The Woodlands in Houston, Texas. For details, call 713.236-0318. * March 11-13 Gas Processors Association Convention in Dallas, Texas. For details, call 918.493-3872. * March...