LP/Gas articles from June 2003

LP/Gas archives from June 2003

Just the facts--finally. (View Point).(propane safety)(Editorial)
June 1, 2003... Safety is a relative term. Don't believe it? Try disputing the catchy phrase that competing energy vendors use to lure prospective customers: "Go propane, go boom." Preying on the fears of an uneducated consumer is a sales strategy as old...

Price/value survey. (In The Know).(propane)
June 1, 2003... Propane Resources gave this survey to an association prior to a presentation. The results were discussed during the presentation. In The Know is presented as a partnership between LP/Gas Magazine and Propane Resources. The Results: ...

LP/gas stock index.(liquid petroleum)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Yield Ended (5/9/03) AmeriGas APU Mar $25.49 $2.20 8.6% Ferrellgas...

Propane MLP price history.
June 1, 2003... 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 & Sons, Inc. [GRAPHIC...

Weather watch.(temperature statistics)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Heating degree days by state State April Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 138 -13 2861 -350 Alaska 847...

Upcoming events.(gas/ petroleum industry)
June 1, 2003... * June 18-21 Tennessee Propane Gas Association annual meeting at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tenn. For details, contact Russell Palk at rpalk@tennpropane.com. * June 19 New Jersey Propane Gas Association annual meeting and golf...

Paperwork finishes the job. (Safety First).(business records)
June 1, 2003... Don't you just hate paper work? Unless you're the kind of person who gets excited about details in triplicate, we all resent the heavy burden of paperwork in our daily work and personal routines. When it comes to safety, documentation is a...

How much is your company worth? (Business Matters).(petroleum/gas industry)
June 1, 2003... Here are three ways to determine the value of your company--but only one yields a true measure of operational earnings power. In the interest of our ongoing discussions about how to increase the value of your business, let's look at three...

Senate pushes energy incentives. (Washington Report).(tax law)
June 1, 2003... Increased grant money for energy production and efficiency has gotten a boost in Congress with the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee's approval of the Energy Policy Act of 2003. Senate leaders plan to combine it with other legislation...

Cargo tank shutoff. (Briefly Speaking).(gas transport)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... RSPA has revised its rules for construction and maintenance of cargo tank vehicles, effective Oct. 1. Starting in 2006, all manually activated, on-vehicle remote shutoff devices for closure of a cargo tank's internal shutoff valve must be...

Stock build. (Briefly Speaking).(Energy Information Administration)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Propane stockbuilds through late May were on target to reach or exceed the most recent five-year average May build of 9.3 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Inventories of 28.9 million barrels still track below...

Head. (Briefly Speaking).(National Propane Gas Association; Mike Troop replaces Lisa Bontempo)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Mike Troop replaced Lisa Bontempo, who resigned, as legislative affairs director for NPGA.

Only the qualified need apply. (Legal Ease).(employee discrimination denied; Crone v. United Parcel Service of America Inc)
June 1, 2003... Picture this imaginary job listing in your company's newsletter: "Hard-nosed supervisor wanted; must have strong leadership and confrontational skills to keep aggressive subordinates in place. Known criers and the timid need not apply!"...

Take the gamble out of hiring: careful screening can make a prospective employee a safe bet.
June 1, 2003... With all of the security-related problems that companies face today, it makes no sense at all not to conduct pre-employment screening. Pre-employment screening is a non-discrimination action that weeds out fraudulent data and...

Laying a new CornerStone.(Cornerstone Propane Corp.)(Company Profile)
June 1, 2003... Amid swirling rumors of an imminent sale to a competing major marketer, the future of CornerStone Propane should be decided in the next few months. The propane and investment communities are speculating about CornerStone's viability coming...

Hours of service rules changed for drivers. (Washington, D.C.).(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Truck drivers may be on the road up to 11 hours a day but cannot be on the clock more than 14 hours under new regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The agency published the final, amended hours-of-service...

Background checks required for certified HAZMAT drivers. (Washington, D.C.).(hazardous materials)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... More than 3.5 million commercial drivers must undergo background record checks, including a review of criminal, immigration and FBI records, to get a HAZMAT endorsement for a commercial driver's license. According to the Transportation...

Level Propane to be sold, settles bankruptcy case. (Cleveland, Ohio).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Lawyers for Level Propane Gases Inc. have agreed to settle a bankruptcy case involving what once was the country's sixth-largest propane marketer. Although a federal bankruptcy judge must approve the settlement, the deal calls for a group...

Forklift emissions study shows propane is most efficient. (Washington, D.C.).(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Propane forklifts deliver higher energy efficiencies than compressed natural gas or gasoline when compared to other fuel production life cycles, according to a report released by the Propane Education and Research Council. The review of...

Research: propane marketers should align with builders. (Las Vegas, Nevada).(Wirthlin Worldwide research)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Propane marketers must be stronger advocates of propane usage to the homebuyer and homebuilder to better develop that market for the industry, according to a market research firm. Wirthlin Worldwide, which has worked with the Propane...

Manufactured homes' propane use builds with relationship. (Washington, D.C.).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The propane industry can boost sales of propane-fueled manufactured homes by developing a relationship with retailers of those homes, according to a survey of marketing techniques. The propane and manufactured housing industries conducted...

Award gives state propane group a $25,000 rebate bonus. (Washington, D.C.).(Propane Education & Research Council Milford Therrel Award)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Propane Education & Research Council is accepting nominations for the 2003 Milford Therrel Award, which gives a $25,000 bonus to the winning organization's state rebate money. The award recognizes the state that puts its rebate dollars...

DOE report: propane costs less per BTU than electricity. (Washington, D.C.).(Department of Energy. Energy Information Administration)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Propane costs about half as much as electricity per million BTUs, according to the Department of Energy. The average cost for propane jumped from 87 cents per gallon in 2002 to $1.21 per gallon in 2003. However, propane falls below...

AmeriGas buys Colorado marketer, will close location. (Valley Forge, Pennsylvania).(AmeriGas Partners L.P. acquires Rocky Mountain L.P. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... AmeriGas Partners, LP, has bought Rocky Mountain LP of Greeley, Colo., and will close that location. Some 400 customers in Boulder, Weld and Larimer counties will be blended into current AmeriGas operations in Ft. Collins, Colo.

Propane Resources wins award for having no accidents in 2002. (South Sioux City, Nebraska).(Great West Casualty Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Great West Casualty Co. has presented Propane Resources with a platinum award as part of its 2002 National Fleet Safety Awards Program. The company, which had no accidents in 2002, was recognized for its commitment to do anything that...

Texas Railroad Commission allows self-insurance. (Austin, Texas).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Some propane marketers in Texas are choosing to self-insure their businesses as a stop-gap measure during the insurance crisis. The Texas Railroad Commission has passed two amendments under Chapter 113 of the Texas Natural Resources Code to...

Inergy acquires wholesale marketer, transporter. (Kansas City, Missouri).(Resource Energy Marketing Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Inergy has acquired part of Resource Energy Marketing Ltd., a wholesale propane marketer and transporter in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The deal includes rights to a fleet of 58 railcars and exclusive rights to ship and receive tank cars at a...

Inergy buys two northern Florida marketers. (Hastings, Florida).(Coleman's Gas Inc. and Johnson and Johnson Propane Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Inergy has acquired the assets of two retail propane operations in northern Florida--Coleman's Gas Inc. of Hastings, Fla., and Johnson and Johnson Propane Inc. of Madison, Fla. Both locations will be managed by Marlo Young, president of...

Honeywell buys sensor supplier. (Minneapolis, Minnesota).(Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions acquires Sensotec Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions unit will acquire and absorb the assets of Sensotec Inc., a privately held sensor supplier. Founded in 1973, Sensotec supplies sensors that measure pressure, torque, load, temperature, force,...

Propane fleet award winners announced. (Washington, D.C.).(Propane Education & Research Council )
June 1, 2003... Propane Education & Research Council President Roy Willis hosted the third annual "Propane. Exceptional Energy" Fleet Awards May 19 at the Ninth National Clean Cities Conference and Expo booth in Palm Springs, Clif. The event took place...

Crane service body. (Products).(Auto Crane Co. Titan 50)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Auto Crane Co. introduces the Titan 50, a new crane service body that offers an exclusive one-piece side pack and a 57 percent larger compartment capacity over previous models. The crane body, made of 10-gauge galvanneal, boasts standard...

B-2-B Web site. (Products).(Harsco Corp. Gas and Fluid Control Group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Harsco Corp.'s Gas and Fluid Control Group announces the success of its pioneering B-2-B Web site, a virtual storefront with direct links to product and technology Web sites for additional information. The Web site allows customers to...

Service line tee. (Products).(Perfection Corp. Permasert Wye Tee)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Perfection Corp. offers the Permasert Wye Tee, a device that creates a "branch" in each dwelling service line to result in one tap into the main line for the installation of multiple service lines. The tee can help relieve a portion of...

Upgraded Web site. (Products).(Actaris Neptune )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Actaris Neptune presents an upgrade to its Web site to offer enhanced customer support services. The new domain, www.neptuneflowmeter.com, is designed to offer improved organization, easy navigation and ongoing expandability. It has...

Management software. (Products).(AGRIS Corp. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... AGRIS Corp. announces the addition of AGRIS Energy to its line of software products. The program offers an efficient means to track fuel levels, schedule deliveries, and map delivery routes. A user-friendly customer information screen shows all...

Truck storage box. (Products).(Slide Systems' Rollerbox Professional)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Slide Systems introduces the Rollerbox Professional to its line of rolling truck storage boxes. The box features a wide top compartment with a top-opening lid and removable bottom compartment with a front-opening lid. Six pull-out drawers...

LPG vaporizer. (Products).(Ely Energy Inc. KE Series Electric Waterbath )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Ely Energy presents the KE Series Electric Waterbath vaporizer for use in the 50 to 400 kg/h market. The vaporizer, designed and manufactured in Denmark for Ely Energy, will be approved by DEMKO later this year. It can be operated on...

Protective eyewear. (Products).(Klein Tools Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Klein Tools introduces a new line of protective eyewear with anti-fog, scratch-resistant, anti-UV lens coatings, adjustable temple lengths, and wrap-around designs. Frameless wrap-around lenses are available in combinations of a black...

Pressure sensors. (Products).(Sensotec Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Sensotec presents new Subminiature Flush Diaphragm Pressure Sensors for use when cavities are to be avoided or space is at a premium. The sensors are suitable for use in severe environments, in temperatures ranging from -65 degrees...

Package gas/electric unit. (Products).(International Comfort Products Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... International Comfort Products announces its Comfortmaker PGME convertible package gas/electric unit, which offers high-efficiency heating and cooling in a convertible design that allows it to be installed for either ground-level or rooftop...

Profit strategies.(Michael D'Angelo)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Michael D'Angelo has joined Profit Strategies Inc. as product manager for the new Quality Service Pricing system for plumbing contractors. D'Angelo also is president of Energy-Wise Heating and Cooling in Rochester, N.Y.

Empire Products Inc.(Jim Bates )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Empire Products Inc. has hired Jim Bates of Bates Sales and Marketing as its new sales representative for Alabama, northern and central Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Bates will sell the Sierra, EasyChef and EasyFire brands...

Blue Rhino.(Rhino of the Year award)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Randy Caballero of Denman Cylinder Exchange in Scurry, Texas, Ron Waksmunski of Raven Propane Co. in Sayreville, N.J., and Ernest Smith of Salathe Oil Co. in Harvey, La., are the first recipients of Blue Rhino's Rhino of the Year award. ...

Corken Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Corken Inc., a unit of IDEX Corp., has made several appointments. Don Crowder, who has 28 years of service with Corken products, has been appointed director of customer relations. He has held a variety of other titles including service...

Inergy.(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Inergy has hired three new employees. Debbie Medina, who previously worked for Farmland Industries Inc. and Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co., has joined the company as administrative assistant to the chief financial officer. Lisa Niner, who...

NGL Supply.(Brenda Maples )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... NGL Supply Inc. has named Brenda Maples as its manager of trading--butane and natural gasoline--with the responsibility for the supply and marketing of normal butane, iso butane and natural gasoline. Maples previously worked for Texaco and...

California dreaming or nightmare? (Let's Talk).(California Air Resources Board's proposed forklift trucks rule )
June 1, 2003... There was once a period in our country's history where California was viewed as the promised land, where people would flock to the state in hopes of achieving wealth, success and happiness. For many people those dreams remain strong and the...