LP/Gas articles from January 2008

LP/Gas archives from January 2008

Letter to the editor.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... In the September 2007 issue of LP Gas, columnist Jay Johnston questioned the safety of wrapping cylinders with plastic sleeves. Sadly, Mr. Johnston recited a propane grill accident that had no apparent connection to the use of a plastic sleeve....

Great debate for 2008: industry's investment in cabinet heater issue concerns some marketers.(ViewPoint)
January 1, 2008... There appears to be growing dissention in the ranks regarding the industry s aggressive pursuit of the untapped indoor cabinet heater market. Industry leaders for the last four years have been working to amend the NFPA 58 fire code to...

President Bush signs energy bill improving fuel economy standards.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
January 1, 2008... President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 on Dec. 18, paving the way for higher fuel economy standards and an increase in the use of biofuels. The bill passed the House, 314-100, and cleared the Senate, 86-8. ...

FMCSA decides on drivers' HOS rules.
January 1, 2008... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it will allow truck drivers 11 daily hours behind the wheel and let them reset their workweek after a 34-hour break. This Interim Final Rule (IFR), effective Dec. 27, was...

Farm bill advances through the Senate.
January 1, 2008... The Senate has passed the 2007 Farm Bill, which contains a number of propane-related provisions. The five-year, $286 billion package passed, 79-14, on Dec. 14 and now goes to a House-Senate conference in January. The bill would require...

LP/Gas stock index.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
January 1, 2008... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (12/14/07) Distribution AmeriGas APU September $36.12 ...

Weather watch.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2008... Weather Watch [HEATING DEGREE DAYS BY STATE] DEVIATION DEVIATION FROM LAST 12 FROM STATE NOVEMBER NORM MONTHS NORM ...

Gas pains.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Cartoon)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "MY DAD HAS A PROPANE-POWERED SURVEILLANCE UNIT... SO, IF I WERE YOU, I'D KEEP MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL."

DHS deadline Jan. 22; extension also given.
January 1, 2008... Propane companies or customers with more than 60,000 pounds of propane on site are required to submit Top Screen information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before Jan. 22. This information will be used to analyze the...

Industry coordinates response to shutdown.
January 1, 2008... The propane industry provided support during a November shutdown of a propane supply line to the southeastern United States. The partnerships among the National Propane Gas Association, the Propane Education & Research Council and state...

PERC approves 2008 budget at $48 million.(Propane Education & Research Council)
January 1, 2008... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) voted at its December meeting in Houston to adopt a five-year strategic plan and its 2008 budget. This effort supports PERC's increased focus to reach builders and developers and commercialize...

Liberty Propane closes acquisition in N.C.
January 1, 2008... Liberty Propane completed its sixth acquisition since July 2007, with the addition of a retail propane service center in Winterville, N.C. The acquisition represents an additional 1,400 customers to Liberty's existing presence in the state.

PGANE names Joe Rose president and CEO.
January 1, 2008... Joe Rose has been hired to lead the Propane Gas Association of New England as its new president and chief executive officer. The 23-year propane industry veteran most recently was president of Propane Plus in Rehoboth, MA. Rose will serve...

Short-drops.(IN THE KNOW)(Survey)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... We surveyed 430 retail propane marketers about short-drops. We received responses from 78 companies. Outcomes: Seventy-two percent of retailers responding to this survey drop less than a typical average delivery to their customers....

Events.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Calendar)
January 1, 2008... * FEB, 10-12 NPGA winter board of directors meeting at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego, CA. For details, contact Darlene Hawk at dhawk@ npga.org or 202-355-1338. * FEB. 12-14 World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. For details, contact Iva...

LPG heating trends 1950-2005.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LPG Heating Trends 1950-2005 [OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS MILLIONS (%)] Liquefied YEAR Petroleum Gases 1950 0.98 (2.3%) 1960 2.69 (5.1%) 1970 3.81 (6.0%) 1975 ...

Heating type comparison for 2005.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
January 1, 2008... Heating Type Comparison for 2005 [OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS MILLIONS] COAL .10 DISTILLATE FUEL OIL 9.38 KEROSENE .55 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES 6.23 NATURAL GAS...

Retailers should have answers for consumers on home-heating issues.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
January 1, 2008... The propane industry can provide consumers with energy-savings tips and other information to help offset rising home-heating costs. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) suggests a number of ways propane retailers can inform...

Hybrids for the home: combined heat and power package uses LPG to produce electricity, warm residence.(Cover story)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the basement of a typical 35-year-old home in Boston, a propane-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system is keeping Alex Stevenson's family cozy this winter while making enough electricity to cut his winter...

The industry's inexact science: methanol has long been cure for freeze-ups, but study shows guidance, meter is needed.(METHANOL)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There was no method to Sam McTier's madness. This, he admits. When it came to ridding water from a large propane container, the industry veteran tried just about everything. He heated containers until they were...

Under surveillance: mobile units fueled by propane provide a remote power platform.(REMOTE POWER)(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... The ranch spans 40,000 acres and houses some of the largest deer in Texas. In this state, hunting is a billion-dollar industry. A ranch owner who spends millions of dollars each year to raise the state's finest deer becomes protective of...

Know the financial basics: Business plan on fundamentals will help get your startup up and running.(Business Matters)
January 1, 2008... In this second column of a series, we address the financial fundamentals of a startup retail propane operation. This two-dimensional visual is useful in talking about the important financial components of your startup operation. The...

Safety angels where commerce fears to tread: angels of prevention needed within industry to counter those who stray.(Safety First)(Column)
January 1, 2008... In the Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life," an angel is sent down to shepherd and protect one of the flock. Through insight and intervention, Clarence the angel earns his wings by looking out for George Bailey, a man who has lost sight...

Evacuation plans required: employers need emergency plan in writing to direct employees at any site.(Legal Brief)
January 1, 2008... I am certain employers reading this article are aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires them to comply with safety procedures in regard to their employees. This is in an effort to develop and maintain safe...

Season of giving--and passing key legislation: Congress, president address fuel economy, renewable fuels, energy use.(Washington Report)
January 1, 2008... Perhaps December really is the season of miracles. For the first time in more than 30 years, Congress has passed and the president has approved an increase in the corporate average fuel economy standard (CAFE) as part of the new energy law....

ReedGas Propane Co.: southwest Louisiana company stands test of time by staving 'up to date'.(Snap Shot: COMPANIES TO WATCH)
January 1, 2008... When computer programs streamlined for propane companies hit the market, ReedGas chose its own route. Instead of buying another company's product for its in-house programming, the southwest Louisiana propane business built its own from scratch....