LP/Gas articles from January 2004

LP/Gas archives from January 2004

Good news and hope.(View Point)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2004... Good news and reason for optimism to start the New Year: The American Petroleum Institute reports a healthy increase in propane sales in 2002 despite several daunting obstacles. API says national retail sales of propane, including chemical...

Identifying target customers survey.(In The Know)
January 1, 2004... During the 2003 Propane Marketing and Operations Forum, Propane Resources asked attendees of the "Identify Target Customers" sessions about their marketing activities. Here's what they had to say: Topic: Identifying target customers ...

LP/Gas stock index.(Propane Master Limited)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Yield Ended (12/10/03) AmeriGas APU Sept. $27.28 $2.20 8.1%...

Propane MLP price history.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 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.(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heating degrees days by state State November Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 260 -98 ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... * February 1-3 National Propane Gas Association board of directors meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Barbara Long at blong@npga.org or 202-466-7200. * Feb. 17 Tennessee Propane Gas Association winter board and general...

Records reflect successful businesses.(Business Matters)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2004... Based on my experience of examining many businesses in this industry, I believe there is a direct correlation between the quality of a business and its record keeping. The opposite is also true; weak businesses are often linked to inadequate...

Lead, follow or get out of the way.(Safety First)
January 1, 2004... This old axiom says it all when it comes to safety leadership. After playing music with a young and very talented banjo player, Jerry Garcia declared to the rest of the group, "Gentlemen, we are old and in the way." When it comes to safety are...

Health plan reimbursements expand.(Legal Ease)
January 1, 2004... The IRS recently ruled that group health plans--including flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements--are permitted to reimburse participants for certain over-the-counter medicines such as antacids, pain relievers,...

Energy bill falls short, but still alive.(Washington Report)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2004... For the second year in a row, big benefits to the propane industry didn't quite make it through Congress. But unlike 2002, when each house passed an energy bill but failed to reconcile the two versions, conferees in 2003 agreed on the Energy...

RSPA pushes through incident reporting rule.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Research & Special Programs Administration)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Research & Special Programs Administration has issued final rules modifying the federal incident reporting requirements and the hazardous materials incident report form. The National Propane Gas Association had joined The Fertilizer...

Propane prices rising.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The average residential propane price at the start of December rose 16.6 cents per gallon from a year earlier, including one-tenth of a cent in November. Wholesale prices dropped 7.9 cents over the year and 0.9 cents in November to 62.9 cents,...

Pipeline safety advisory issued.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(The Office of Pipeline Safety issued an advisory bulletin to pipeline operators warning them to check new steel lines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Office of Pipeline Safety issued an advisory bulletin to pipeline operators warning them to check new steel lines. Stray electrical currents can cause external corrosion. Details: Nov. 12 Federal Register. M

Headline.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Federal Trade Commission announced new ranges of comparability for compact clothes washer labels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Federal Trade Commission announced new ranges of comparability for compact clothes washer labels, effective Feb. 23, though manufacturers may start using the new ranges immediately. The change doesn't affect standard washers because the...

No place to hide: innovations in vehicle tracking, route planning, remote controls offer enhanced security and profitability.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... The sophisticated technology that the Department of Homeland Security may mandate for hazardous materials haulers can also benefit a propane marketer's bottom line. New wireless vehicle tracking innovations are hitting the hazmat...

RFID could help locate missing equipment.(Radio Frequency Identification)
January 1, 2004... Developments in Radio Frequency Identification chips are already being applied to track containerized goods and individual consumer products to prevent theft throughout the supply chain. RFID can also have a place in the propane industry to...

Making a splash: propane-fired pool heater hopes to compete with electric heat pump; industry eyes other applications.
January 1, 2004... For most of the nation's propane retailers, summer is a slow period, a time to regroup after one busy winter heating season and plan for the next. Some retailers--particularly those in the South--stay busy selling fuel for heating swimming...

NPGA pushes DOT for flexibility on HOS regulations.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association and the Department of Transportation's new hours-of-service regulations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The National Propane Gas Association is continuing its "grassroots" effort to oppose certain aspects of the Department of Transportation's new hours-of-service regulations. Through several of the organization's community efforts, the NPGA...

GAS Check safety program now voluntary; materials available.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association and the Gas Appliance Manufacturer's Association (GAMA), has been made a voluntary program)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... GAS Check, a safety program sponsored by the National Propane Gas Association and the Gas Appliance Manufacturer's Association (GAMA), has been made a voluntary program not requiring industry stakeholders to sign a pledge form to participate....

TEPPCO increases allocation after pipeline repair completed.(Coshocton, Ohio)(increased its allocations to all its terminals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... TEPPCO has increased its allocations to all its terminals east of Coshocton, Ohio. The higher allocation--now 1.85:1 ratio--is the result of a lower level of performed allocation and the earlier-than-anticipated completion of its pipeline...

PERC bolsters funding of advertising campaign.(Washington, D.C.)(The Propane Education & Research Council has approved several million dollars in grants for 2004 to fund a variety of initiatives)
January 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council has approved several million dollars in grants for 2004 to fund a variety of initiatives, including a multi-faceted consumer education campaign that challenges opinions about electricity and several...

Monessen Hearth Systems expands manufacturing plant.(Paris, Kentucky)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Monessen Hearth Systems has started construction on a 150,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing plant at its headquarters in Paris, Ky. The expansion will consolidate the company's other manufacturing plant from Alabama and more...

IdaTech launches propane fuel cell to domestic market.(Miami Beach, Florida)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... IdaTech has introduced its 5-kW natural gas and LPG fuel cell system to the U.S. market. The dual-fuel, combined heat and power system was part of a portfolio of multi-fuel solutions that IdaTech showcased at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar in...

Heritage to buy retailer serving forklift cylinder market.(Tulsa, Oklahoma)(Metro Lift Propane)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Heritage Propane Partners has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Metro Lift Propane for a combination of cash and common units. Metro Lift is located in 10 markets, including Nashville, Dallas and New Orleans. The...

Jenkins Gas opens two new North Carolina locations.(Pollocksville, North Carolina)(Sandhills Propane)(Jenkins Gas Co)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Jenkins Gas and Oil Co., based in Pollocksville, N.C., has opened two additional propane operations within the Jenkins family--Jenkins Gas Co. of Pittsboro, N.C., and Sandhills Propane in Southern Pines, N.C. The Pittsboro operation will be...

Ryder Systems acquires fuel storage tank compliance manager.(Miami, Florida)(Ventex Services)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Ryder Systems acquired the assets of Ventex Services, a provider of outsourced fuel storage tank compliance and fuel systems management services. Vertex, which has 13 employees and was formed in 2001, has a customer base that includes...

FMCSA begins second round of inspections, citations possible.(Washington, D.C.)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A second round of on-site security inspections of hazardous materials transporters by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is under way. The visits are similar to inspections conducted in 2002...

Propane Resources schedules supply sessions.(Shawnee, Kansas)(Propane University Supply Sessions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Propane Resources has finalized its 2004 schedule of Propane University Supply Sessions. The one-day sessions include: * March 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in San Antonio, Texas, followed by an optional golf outing. * March...

NPGA opposing requirement to report all damage to product retention systems.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Dec. 3 issue of the Federal Register published the final rule on HM-229 that makes changes to the federal incident reporting requirements and the hazardous materials incident report form. The National Propane Gas Association had joined...

A vital part of the puzzle.(Let's Talk)(Williamson LP Gas)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2004... Routing and mapping was the final piece of the puzzle in my quest for a productive forecasting and delivery system," said Burl Williamson, president of Williamson LP Gas, a family-owned business based in Clinton, N.C. that has a reputation for...

Transportation security.(Mailbox)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Your November article, "Are your trucks a target for terrorism?" describes the range of security-related regulatory measures currently underway in our federal legislature, and correctly concludes that much of it will have a direct impact on...

More truck safety.(Mailbox)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Your article entitled "Are your trucks a target for terrorism?" (November 2003) left out a number of important facts that your readers should take into consideration. The article's menacing tone is unnecessary and gives the impression that...