LP/Gas articles from February 2007

LP/Gas archives from February 2007

Sweating out slow sales.(VIEW POINT)
February 1, 2007... The early February deep-freeze that had propane sales across the country jumping should be a godsend to marketers squeezed by the lowest weather-driven propane demand in the last four years. Sales data supplied for our annual LP Gas Top 50...

In the know.(Survey)
February 1, 2007... Bobtails We asked 408 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about bobtails--current status and future plans. We received responses from 79; here is what they had to say. Outcomes: Seventy-six...

Propane master limited partnership comparison.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)
February 1, 2007... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Ended (1/16/07) AmeriGas APU Sept. $31.55 Energy...

Propane MLP price history.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)
February 1, 2007... Historic price index Propane stock price history calculated by averaging unweighted prices for AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, Energy Transfer, Inergy and Suburban master limited partnerships. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Sources: Public information...

Heating degree days by state.(Table)
February 1, 2007... Heating degree days by state State Dec Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 468 -103 2463 -356 Alaska 1461...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... * March 5-6 New York Propane Gas Association annual spring conference at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. For additional details or more information, contact Barbara Roach at 518-383-3823 or nypga@localnet.com. *...

Contractor, vendor and supplier safety.(SAFETY FIRST)
February 1, 2007... In my safety programs I always list contractors, vendors and suppliers as stakeholders in the safety process. Any propane company is only as strong as its weakest link. Usually in that context we are talking about employees. However, I...

Trends in family-owned businesses.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
February 1, 2007... Family owned businesses are unique in personality, behavior and culture. They operate with the complexities associated with the three overlapping components of ownership, the business and the family. Since more than two-thirds of the...

Propane not ultra-hazardous product.(LEGAL BRIEF)
February 1, 2007... Recently, the propane industry has been under attack from members of the plaintiffs bar alleging that propane is an ultra-hazardous product. The significance of an ultra-hazardous classification is that it exposes propane marketers to what...

Party ideals, legislative realities collide.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2007... Last month's column highlighted the Democrats' hope for swift passage of their priorities compared with some of the hard realities of legislating. Since then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered on the first 100 hours of the new session...

View from the top.(Interview)
February 1, 2007... Rick Roldan couldn't possibly have foreseen all that awaited him when he took the reins as president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association in December 2002. Five years after the association's retooling and move to Washington, D.C.,...

Retailers rankings: profiles of the largest propane retail marketers in the United States.(Company rankings)
February 1, 2007... [1] AmeriGas P.O. Box 965 Valley Forge, PA 19482 Phone: 610-337-7000 * Fax: 610-992-3242 Web site: www.amerigas.com Founded: 1959 Owners: Publicly held Outlets: 607 States: 46 Customers: 1,300,000 ...

Sub-par temps, par golf.(Four Point L.P. Gas)
February 1, 2007... Like many of his peers in the LP-gas business, Johnny Williamson, branch manager of Four Point L.P. Gas, has seen the Georgia retailer's sales volume stagnate over the past four heating seasons as a result of unseasonably warm weather that's...

Homeland Security considering chemical plant safety.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The Department of Homeland Security has solicited input from the public regarding a proposed rule addressing chemical plant security. The proposed text, published in the Dec. 28 Federal Register, indicates the DHS would establish specific...

Rates allowed to increase on Cochin pipeline.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has allowed the Dome Pipeline Corp. to increase rates on the Cochin pipeline effective Jan. 1. Hundreds of pipeline shippers and customers had petitioned the regulatory agency to oppose the measure...

Paraco Gas moves its headquarters.(RYE BROOK, NY)
February 1, 2007... Paraco Gas Corp. has relocated its corporate offices from Purchase, N.Y., to Rye Brook, N.Y., into the former headquarters of General Foods and Phillip Morris. Paraco, a family-owned business that annually ranks among the country's 20...

Renewal program started for CETP certification proctors.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The National Propane Gas Association is trying to update its list of proctors for its CETP Certification program. The program requires that proctors complete an online training course and registration before administering any exams. Active...

Electronic recorders could be required for truckers soon.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... Federal administrators are reportedly giving final consideration to a requirement that truckers use electronic recorders to track the hours they spend on the road. The proposed rule, approved by the White House, is designed to increase...

Newsletter to offer updates on propane pickup truck.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The Propane Education & Research Council has launched an e-newsletter to keep readers apprised of progress on the new Roush F-150 dedicated propane pickup truck. The quarterly newsletter, which was distributed to 8,000 current or potential...

Spanish version of safety booklet now available.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The Propane Education & Research Council has released a Spanish version of its Propane Safety Booklet. The comprehensive booklet includes steps on what to do if you smell gas and how to recognize the smell of propane. A scratch-and-sniff...

PERC plans new ways for propane to reach farmers.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... The Propane Education & Research Council has developed a new strategy for reaching out to needs in the agriculture industry that could be served by propane. The new Agriculture Roadmap Supplement, updating the Roadmap developed in 2002,...

Manchester Tank plant cited for safety program.(PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA)
February 1, 2007... Manchester Tank and Equipment Co.'s plant in Petersburg, Va., has been recognized as a Voluntary Protection Program Star Site by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. The designation means employees and employers have achieved...

Fraud letters seek bank account information.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
February 1, 2007... Current and potential U.S. Department of Transportation contractors are continuing to receive fraudulent letters seeking companies' financial information. The letters, sent on fake DOT letterhead, ask recipients to register in the DoD...

Water heaters.(BLACKWOOD, NEW JERSEY)
February 1, 2007... Triangle Tube/Phase III of Blackwood, N.J., and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 3,000 Delta Performance or Delta Performance Plus series combination water heaters because of the potential for carbon monoxide...

Indoor pool heaters.(MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA)
February 1, 2007... Water Pool and Spa Inc. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling 105.000 Pentair pool heaters because of their potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. The pool heaters can emit excessive carbon monoxide in the event of a...

Gas water boilers.(MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA)
February 1, 2007... Weil-McLain and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling about 16,000 gas boilers that were inadvertently identified for use with propane. The boilers require a propane conversion kits to prevent a carbon monoxide build up and...

Fluid dynamics analysis software.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Flormerics Ltd. has released the newest version of its Engineering Fluid Dynamics analysis software suite. The 7.3 version includes 64-bit processor support for increased analysis power, speed and convenience; support of CATIA V5 R17 in both...

Miniature piezoelectric accelerometer.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... VIP Sensors introduces a miniature piezoelectric accelerometer with integral electronics that is designed to measure vibrations on small structures or objects. The Model 2017A has a high signal-to-noise ratio, two output sensitivities and a...

'Gas Check Ready' valve.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Sherwood, through an alliance with Presto-Tap, has launched a "Gas Check Ready" valve for 420 pound, 100-, 250-, 500- and 1,000-gallon AG and UG tanks. The valves, which are patented and UL-listed, provide quick access and documentation...

Safety reels.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Coxreels' Safety Series EZ-COIL Reels are now painted blue with a powder-coat finish and updated logos and labels to differentiate them from the company's standard reels. The safety reels, which had been painted safety yellow since their...

Automated test system.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... MSA's Galaxy Automated Test System for MSA portable gas detectors is compatible with most ALSTAIR and ALTAIR Pro Single-Gas Detectors for carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. Its Galaxy Automated Recordkeeping and Calibration Test...

Hose-end valve.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Marshall Excelsior has launched its ME800C-series composite-handle hose end valve for use with LP gas delivery truck hose outlets. The handle is significantly lighter in weight than competitive hose end valves, and it serves as a thermal...

Gas detector.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... MSA has expanded its ALTAIR Pro Single-Gas Detector product line to include ammonia, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide, phosphine, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen cyanide. The unit has a large, impact-resistant LCD screen and operates with a replaceable...

Gas monitor.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... MSA's new Chemgard Gas Monitor features photoa-coustic infrared sensing technology to detect industrial gases down to low ppm or percent levels. The monitor comes in explosion-proof, and rack-mount versions. The monitor includes options like a...

Seat control valve.(PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2007... Flowserve Corp. has released its new Worcester CPT characterized seat control valve. The CPT series ball valve is engineered as a control valve and is designed to provide reliable operation and precise valve positioning. It can be customized...

Electronic bill paying has its perks.(LET'S TALK)
February 1, 2007... Electronic payments processing, including electronic check conversion and collection, continues to grow at a rapid pace in the U.S. Surprisingly, one of the last industries to adopt electronic check processing is the propane industry. The...

Gas pains.(LET'S TALK)(Cartoon)
February 1, 2007... AT THIS POINT, DOES IT REALLY *[??]#! MATTER? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]