LP/Gas articles from January 2006

LP/Gas archives from January 2006

Small business pessimism.(in Ohio)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Here in Ohio, the perception of business conditions among small businesses is falling like the mercury during a January cold snap. According to a December report from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, more Ohio small...

In the know.
January 1, 2006... Technology Survey At our September Propane Marketing and Operations Forum, we asked attendees representing 17 states the following questions about technology and advancements used by their companies. Here is what they had to say: ...

LP/Gas stock index.(liquefied petroleum gas)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2006... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Ended (12/14/05) AmeriGas APU Sept. $29.25 Energy...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Table)
January 1, 2006... Heating degree days by state State Nov. Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 308 -15 2815 -50 Alaska ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... * Jan. 20-21 National Propane Gas Association's Marketers' Management Forum at the Ritz Carlton Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, NV. For details, contact Baron Glassgow at 866-881-6309 or bglassgow@npga.org. * Jan. 22-24 Minnesota Propane Gas...

Managing workers comp costs.(SAFETY FIRST)(Workers' compensation)
January 1, 2006... If you take the humanity out of the process, employees are a lot like equipment. When bulk trucks need repair, fix them promptly and hopefully you won't lose too many productive days when it's in the shop. If only it were that easy with...

Don't let friends start 'C' Corporations.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
January 1, 2006... In early 2002, I addressed the penalizing tax disadvantages to propane companies that are structured as 'C' Corporations. Four years later, I remain shocked at the number of propane companies who continue to retain their 'C' Corporation...

Prepare for another RMP skirmish.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(risk management plans)
January 1, 2006... Industry members involved in the successful fight against risk management plans (RMP) six years ago take note: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is expected to introduce the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act. As chairman of the Homeland...

Defining propane as a utility.(LEGAL BRIEF)
January 1, 2006... Beware of propane systems masquerading as a utility. The general consensus is that propane systems are treated as an unregulated form of energy in the marketplace. There are some distinct advantages to being an unregulated source of...

The rise of the machines: understanding technology in the propane industry.
January 1, 2006... Technically speaking, technology is a technological nightmare. Computer systems, software, hardware and e-whatevers can be difficult to learn, implement and use. On the other hand, they can be godsends--saving companies time and money...

Regulators: new design, innovative materials resist moisture's effort to gum the works.(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Corrosion consistently puts a crimp on regulators--it causes moving parts to hold fast, creates safety hazards and prompts inopportune service calls. Industry innovation, however, is applying the latest technology and materials to overcome...

Auxilliary power units: propane steering toward big, dirty diesel rigs for APU market.(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... Propane industry engineers are not sitting idle as truckers face pressure to cut pollution from tractor-trailer engines left running once the rigs complete a long day's haul Government regulators at the state, local and federal levels are...

Desiccant dehumidifiers: residential-sized unit being tested as solution to indoor air-quality concerns.(NovelAire Technologies)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... A desiccant dehumidifier currently under development could be what the nation's comfort-seeking homeowners want as they address their indoor air-quality issues. Today's houses are built to be virtually air-tight, so those portable plug-in...

Handhelds/routing: routing systems and handhelds: bringing information home.(propane industry)
January 1, 2006... The propane industry is one that can greatly benefit from computerized routing systems to help manage vehicle deliveries in remote areas. Current routing programs enable companies to keep track of deliveries, driver productivity and...

Tankless water heaters: technological advances and heavy advertising net word-of-mouth referrals.
January 1, 2006... And now, the Rest of the Story: Radio legend Paul Harvey's commercial endorsement of Rinnai's tankless water heater line appears to be heating up consumer interest in the devices. Although the technology behind them has been popular in...

Propane bills might not be as high as expected.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The U.S. Energy Department's statistical division--the Energy Information Administration (EIA)--has again revised its prediction about cost increases in the average propane homeowner's heating bill. In early December, the EIA said propane...

'Highly successful' consumer campaign gets big allocation.(HOUSTON, TEXAS)(Propane Education & Research Council)
January 1, 2006... A nearly $16.13 million investment in the newest leg of an advertising program tops the list of funding requests approved last month by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). For the first time, the 2006 Homeowner Advertising and...

Static grounding indicator/interlock.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by Newson-Gale Inc. )(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Newson-Gale Inc. introduces its Earth-Rite PLUS static ground indicator and interlock system, which ensures that a low-resistance connection to the ground has been established before transfer can begin. The Earth-Rite PLUS system consists...

Insulated wire stripper/cutter.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Klein Tools has released its first insulated Klein-Kurve tool, a multifunction, insulated wire stripper/cutter with curved handles. The tool is designed to cut, strip, loop and gauge solid and stranded wire while providing protection...

Safety eyewear.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Uvex says its Protege line of safety eyewear provides sports styling with lightweight comfort. Weighing less than an ounce, the eyewear has a wrap-around brow that expands to accommodate a range of users. Its floating lens technology increases...

Flame detector.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Mine Safety Appliance Co.'s FlameGard series of flame detectors are designed to continuously monitor for hydrocarbon-based fires or flames. The systems detect the ultraviolet and or infrared radiation that is emitted by these fires or...

Safety program.(Ditch Witch Co. introduced safety education)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Ditch Witch announces the release of a new training program geared to promote safe operation of all types of trenchers, plows, horizontal directional drills, mini skid steers and mini excavators. It consists of a free DVD containing three...

Pressure relief product catalog.(from Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co. (OSECO) has released a new pressure relief product catalog. The 84-page catalog has information about the company's line of pressure relief devices and contains detailed descriptions and technical...

Liquid level gage.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... L.J. Star Inc. announces the release of a redesigned MagneStar magnetic liquid level gage. The instrument utilizes a non-intrusive design to ensure operator safety and virtually eliminates catastrophic failure and minimizes downtime due to...

Trunion-style ball valves.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The High-Pressure Equipment Co. introduces a 0.500-in. orifice size line of trunion-style balls geared specifically for severe-duty applications. The valves are available in two-way and three-way configurations. The trunion-style closure...

T-connection tool.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... TaKMaC, LLC, introduces its Timmy T-Tight tool for connecting flared T-connections to copper tubing. Instead of using two adjustable wrenches, try using this tool to hold the horizontal portion of the T connection while tightening the...

Perfection Corp.(PEOPLE)
January 1, 2006... Perfection Corp. has hired Justin Johnson as its sales representative responsible for sales activities for utility customers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North and South Dakota.

National Propane Gas Assoc.(appointed Jennifer Tomb )(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) announces the hiring of Jennifer Tomb as its newly added director of conventions and meetings. She previously worked as the director of meetings and expositions at the American Logistics...

Court rules in favor of propane dealers.(electric cooperatives rules by Kentucky Supreme Court)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 4-2 in November that electric cooperatives can't legally engage in private enterprises, including the sale of propane. The court ruled state law only allows cooperatives to distribute and sell electricity...

Propane fuels Olympic torch.(Cavagna Group's gas torches were used for Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Cavagna Group's High Pressure Division has helped light the most recognizable symbol of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games--the Olympic Torch. Cavagna supplied 12,000 custom-designed regulators for 12,000 Pininfarina-designed torches....

Lower small business threshold.(for liquefied petroleum gas dealers)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will consider a request by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) to increase the threshold level used to classify LP-gas propane dealers as small businesses. The NPGA is seeking to...

Seasonal tendencies impact values.(propane gas pricing)
January 1, 2006... In working with clients across North America it became apparent that propane marketers need more information on specific factors that determine the value of propane pricing. The fundamentals in most markets are influenced by seasonal...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... IF WERE YOU, I'D WEAR A SWEATER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]