LP/Gas articles from February 2006

LP/Gas archives from February 2006

Customer (lip) service.(VIEW POINT)(Editorial)
February 1, 2006... As I travel around the country talking to retailers, most are quick to mention that customer service and loyalty are what set their business apart from the competition. But, much like safety, I have to wonder how many offer only lip service....

In the know.(competition in propane industry)(Survey)
February 1, 2006... Your Competition Survey We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about their competition. We heard back from 50 companies. Here is what they had to say: Outcomes: A majority of local...

LP/Gas stock index.(Statistical table)
February 1, 2006... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (1/13/06) AmeriGas APU Sep $29.95 $2.24 Energy...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Table)
February 1, 2006... Heating degree days by state State Dec Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 668 77 2862 8 Alaska ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... * March 5-8 Gas Processors Association Convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX. For details, contact Johnny Dreyer at 918-493-3872 or jdreyer@gasprocessors.com. * March 5-8 New York Propane Gas...

Safety by industry consensus.(SAFETY FIRST)(occupational safety)(Column)
February 1, 2006... Actions have always been influenced by politics and consensus. It's much easier to sort out right and wrong when hindsight is 20/20 and situational ethics having been exposed for what they are. But passions run deep and old ways are hard to...

Continued failure of gallons measurement.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
February 1, 2006... Driven by requests for this topic and my interest to discuss only issues that will add value to retail propane businesses, I address the continued, flawed thinking in many companies that say if their gallons are up year over year, then they...

Rolling out the tax benefits.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2006... As the second session of the 109th Congress gets underway, the propane industry is working to take advantage of new tax advantages as outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and other recent tax laws. Yet even the most tax-savvy propane...

Jury rejects odor fade claim.(LEGAL BRIEF)
February 1, 2006... Aside from writing this column, I also defend propane marketers who are sued liability in gas explosion accidents. That opportunity recently presented itself to me in the welcome confines of a Texarkana, Ark. state court in the case of...

Wounded warriors: new study of propane worker injuries offers data to evaluate effectiveness of safety management systems, incident prevention and loss control initiatives.(Cover story)
February 1, 2006... A recent study of the major causes and costs of workplace injuries and illnesses in the propane industry found the industry to be slightly better on average than other industries as a whole. "In fact, for the type of work that employees in...

Inhalant abuse: propane among common chemicals being 'huffed' by teens.
February 1, 2006... It was a Sunday afternoon at the end of summer. Within days, 14-year-old Michael McCarty would be starting the ninth grade at a nearby private school. Michael, his 11-year-old sister Kimberly and his parents planned to see a movie together...

Promises, promises: benefits of energy bill tax incentives still unclear.
February 1, 2006... When the CLEAR Act passed the House and Senate late last summer, and was signed into law in August, many in the propane industry were thrilled with the possibilities. With tax credits now available for the implementation and use of alternative...

Retailers rankings: profiles of the largest propane retail marketers in the United States.(TOP 50 PROPANE RETAILERS)(Directory)
February 1, 2006... [1] AmeriGas 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: 640 States: 46 Customers: 1,300,000 ...

Worthington Industries makes Forbes list.(COLUMBUS, OHIO)(Worthington Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Worthington Industries Inc. has once again made Forbes magazine's coveted list of "100 Best Companies to Work for in America." Citing a "culture based on trust--and great benefits," Forbes ranked Worthington number 84 on the list. The...

Energy needs to rise 60 percent by 2030, report predicts.(PARIS, FRANCE)
February 1, 2006... The World LP Gas Association predicts that the world will require 60 percent more energy by 2030 than is used today. The WLPGA's Statistical Review 2005 anticipates worldwide consumption of propane will increase from about 210 million tons...

Hours of Service exemption rule being formulated.(WASHINGTON, DC)
February 1, 2006... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is crafting a final rule to establish regulatory language concerning hours-of-service rules for propane drivers responding to emergencies. The rule under consideration is the result of the HOS...

CARB begs off ruling on tighter forklift emissions.(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA)(California. Air Resources Board)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has decided not to proceed--for now--with a proposed rule on forklift emission standards. CARB announced in December that it has withdrawn its proposal to adopt new emission control standards...

Builders honored for planning propane-fueled developments.(ORLANDO, FLORIDA)(Real Estate Services of CT)(Sable Development of Rockford)(2006 PROPANE Exceptional Energy Award)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Real Estate Services of CT, of Middletown, Conn., and Sable Development of Rockford, Mich., were honored by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for their use of propane as the primary fuel in housing developments. The two firms...

Court calls Gas Check a 'voluntary' industry program.(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The Delaware state supreme court has decided to consider the propane industry's check-off program to be voluntary. Citing a "friend-of-the-court" brief by the Propane Education & Research Council, the court said no state or federal agency...

Turnover rate up for truck drivers nationwide.(WASHINGTON, DC)(American Trucking Associations)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The American Trucking Associations reports that the driver turnover rate for large truckload carriers increased by six percentage points in the third quarter. The turnover rate for small truckload carriers also increased. The upward trend,...

CETP test now available online.(WASHINGTON, DC)
February 1, 2006... Propane marketers can now take the Certified Employee Training Propane (CETP) exam through a new online testing instrument at www.npga.com. Current CETP test proctors will be required to complete an online Proctor Training and Testing...

Saw and track system.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... ESCO Tool, a unit of ESCO Technologies Inc., offers the APS-438 Air-Powered Saw and FlexTrack system that can be assembled to fit any size storage tank, vessel or pipe to provide perfectly square cuts with no heat-affected zone. It...

Linear anodes.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... Electrochemical Devices Inc. presents its line of linear anodes to protect all types of storage tanks, buried pipelines and other machinery from corrosion. The AT-Series of linear anodes consists of copper-cored titanium flat wire coated...

Grill Pad.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... DiversiTech announces that its "Original" Grill Pad is now available in five colors to enhance the look of outdoor rooms. The colors include Earthtone, Granite Gray, Berry Black, Big Green and Brick Red. The pads, which are designed to...

Temperature and humidity monitoring instrument.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... Dickson Co. is offering the new TH8 line of 8-in. temperature/humidity chart recorders and the new line of KT8 K-Thermocouple Remote Sensing 8-in. Chart Recorders. The recorders have added features for durability and practicality in...

Portable valve-operating system.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... Smith Flow Control's East-Drive portable valve operating system is designed for use with manual valves where valve size, pressure rating or work environment might otherwise demand a dedicated actuator or work crew. By reducing valve...

Flame detector.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2006... Mine Safety Appliances Co's Instrument Division offers its FlameGard Series of Flame Detectors, designed to continuously monitor for hydrocarbon-based fire or flames. The systems can detect ultraviolet and/or infrared radiation that is...

Time for some positive thinking.(MAILBOX)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2006... I read with great dismay the articles on the State of the Industry and What's Up in your December issue. I have a burning question for our industry: What's up with all this glass-empty negative thinking? I learned as a young man many...

Dealing with propane retailer's issues.(LET'S TALK)(Company overview)
February 1, 2006... Each year, retail propane marketers face a whole new set of issues. In 2005, wholesale propane prices seemed to cause the most headaches, pushing retailers to look at new ways to become more profitable. Below are a few of the issues and...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
February 1, 2006... IRONICALLY, HAL'S EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON PROPANE WORKER INJURIES RESULTED IN SURGERY FOR HIS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME... CAN I HELP YOU? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]