LP/Gas articles from June 2009

LP/Gas archives from June 2009

A gauge for grilling habits: annual survey says a lot about consumers, safety and technique.(Opening Delivery)
June 1, 2009... There's something about the bright sunshine, the warm air and a much-needed weekend that lead people to their grills. On Memorial Day, as we prepared barbecue chicken on our propane grill, our neighbors on both sides also were tending to...

House committee pushes ahead with climate-change legislation.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 by a 33-25 vote. The bill, which includes controversial cap-and-trade language, now heads to the full House and could see a vote as early as...

LP/gas stock index.
June 1, 2009... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (5/18/09) AmeriGas APU March ...

Industry members convene in Reno, Indianapolis.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... The 60th Annual Western Propane Trade Show and Convention drew nearly 1,000 people last month to the Silver Legacy Resort and the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev. The event was cosponsored by the Arizona, Nevada, Rocky Mountain and Western...

Conference focuses on emergencies.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Conference news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... More than 120 propane marketers, firefighters and towing and recovery professionals gathered for the two-day Industry Responders Conference last month in Concord, N.H. Among the highlights: * Live demonstrations and hands-on activities that...

Heating degree days by state.(WeatherWatch)
June 1, 2009... [HEATING DEGREE DAYS BY STATE] DEVIATION DEVIATION FROM LAST 12 FROM STATE APRIL NORM MONTHS NORM Alabama 167...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Committee approves alliance with Pickens.
June 1, 2009... The Executive Committee of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) authorized PERC President and CEO Roy Willis to sign an agreement that will make propane an integral part of the Pickens Plan. The plan is a multimedia campaign...

NPGA presses Congress to reject card check legislation.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and many of its 3,200 members have voiced concern and opposition regarding the proposed Employee Free Choice Act. NPGA's membership overwhelmingly opposes the elimination of secret ballots and...

Propane lawn trimmer wins U.S. EPA award.
June 1, 2009... An innovative handhold propane grass trimmer earned accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee at the 9th Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards program on May 13 in Washington, D.C. The...

All Safe Inc. becomes Rotarex distributor.
June 1, 2009... Cylinder products company All Safe Inc. announced a distribution agreement with the North American Division of Rotarex Group. Rotarex is a manufacturer of gas valves, regulators and fittings.

Forecast: propane demand to see modest growth.
June 1, 2009... The demand for odorized propane will grow steadily but modestly from 2010 through 2012, according to the latest projections from ICF International. Michael Sloan of ICF has summarized the forecast for propane demand and explained how...

Legislation authorizes Alabama state PERC.
June 1, 2009... Alabama Gov. Bob Riley signed legislation that will allow the state's propane industry to create the Alabama Propane Education and Research Council (APERC). Once created, APERC will collect and allocate assessment dollars for programs in...

Squibb Taylor receives Fisher award for 2008.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Dallas-based Squibb Taylor received the Fisher LP-Gas President's Award for 2008. Lal Karsanbhai, president of Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, presented the award at the Southeastern Convention & International Propane...

Paraco acquires Able Energy propane operation in New York.
June 1, 2009... Paraco Gas Corp. acquired the Warrensburg, N.Y., propane operations of Able Energy Inc. Paraco assumes distribution of propane to more than 1,750 residential and commercial customers and about I million gallons in towns and municipalities...

Updated OSHA/DOT hazmat training e-learning DVD.(PERC Safety & Training Initiatives: COMING IN 2009)
June 1, 2009... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) will be updating Initial OSHA & DOT First 90-Day Training Program to the most current applicable federal standards in an e-learning format using computer graphics and interactive features. As with...

Static Electricity in the Propane Industry training program.(PERC Safety & Training Initiatives: COMING IN 2009)
June 1, 2009... Based on the fundamental principles outlined in Static Electricity in the Propane Industry, published in spring 2008 by PERC, this program will serve as a hands-on tool for the propane industry on the sources and safety issues surrounding...

Computer-based consumer safety education.(PERC Safety & Training Initiatives: COMING IN 2009)
June 1, 2009... Consumer safety is a key priority for the propane industry. That's why propane companies provide safety messages to their customers in as many ways as possible, including printed matter and digital documents that are shared on Web sites and by...

Propane jurisdictional systems outreach.(PERC Safety & Training Initiatives: COMING IN 2009)
June 1, 2009... Federal and state laws on propane jurisdictional systems are often daunting and confusing. That's why PERC is developing Propane Jurisdictional Systems: A Guide to Understanding Basic Fundamentals and Requirements. The booklet will help propane...

Composite cylinders: use and handling in the propane industry.(PERC Safety & Training Initiatives: COMING IN 2009)
June 1, 2009... This document will provide guidance to those propane professionals who may come in contact with composite cylinders. It covers the differences between composite and steel cylinders, such as design and construction features, physical and...

Eastern propane & oil.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2009... Rick Sanborn was promoted to vice president of information services. Sanborn will be responsible for the company's various information systems network, which includes enterprise software solutions, telecommunications, computer hardware,...

Hannay Reels Inc.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2009... Dave Guilzon retired after 39 years of service. He spent most of his years in the sales department, serving more than 12 years as sales manager. He helped innovate and develop many new products. Denis Bleile assumed the sales manager title....

Inergy L.P.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2009... Ted Jeffcoat was promoted to senior vice president/COO for the eastern United States. A 25-year veteran of the propane industry, Jeffcoat joined Inergy in 2004 as part of the Star Gas acquisition. He most recently served as vice...

JS West & Co.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2009... Eric H. Benson was elected president and CEO at the annual stockholders meeting. Great grandson of founder James Stewart West, Benson will lead the 100-year-old family business as its sixth president. The company provides an array of services...

Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2009... L. Nash McMahan of Denton, Md., was named president of the Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association. McMahan is also vice president of business development for Tri Gas & Oil Co. Inc., a regional propane, petroleum and alternative fuel...

Web sites and customer communications.(IN THE KNOW)
June 1, 2009... Propane Resources surveyed 437 retail propane marketers across the United States regarding the following questions about the Web sites, the Internet and customer communications. We received responses from 45 companies. Here is what they had to...

Events.(Vital Signs)(Calendar)
June 1, 2009... JULY 9-11 Alabama Propane Gas Association Annual Convention at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. For details, contact Lisa Fountain at lisa@alabamapropane.com or 334-358-9590. JULY 13-15 Kentucky Propane Gas Association...

PERC survey provides insight into how propane marketers use e-learning.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... Just how are propane marketers using the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) e-learning initiative? The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) polled 100 registrants--marketers who have purchased and used the CETP e-learning...

Who is using e-learning?(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... Who is using e-learning? [2008 BY COMPANY SIZE] Small 45% Mid-size 20% Large 40% Note: Table made from bar graph.

How the industry use e-learning.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... How the industry use e-learning [2008 PERCENT] E-learning and classroom 11% Stand alone 22% E-learning and hands on 67% PERC Note: Table made from pie chart.

Interested in CEPT e-learning online?(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
June 1, 2009... Interested in CEPT e-learning online? [2008 PERCENT] No 9% Yes 91% PERC Note: Table made from pie chart.

Taking the stand on propane safety: prominent plaintiff lawyer suggests steps for marketers to reduce liability and avoid lawsuits.(HOLDING COURT)(Cover story)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every propane marketer's worst nightmare is getting word that a business-related accident has caused injury or taken a life. But with nearly 60 million Americans consuming some 20 billion gallons of the combustible...

Going with the (cash) flow: retailers ruminating over loans, leasing and collections.(CREDIT CRUNCH)(Industry overview)
June 1, 2009... With a record-setting winter heating season in the books--or maybe still on the books where collection difficulties remain in play--the margins of 2008-09 apparently provided a much-needed elixir to the industry's ills. While propane...

Strategy under scrutiny: safety communication obligations face challenges in legal battles.(Safety First)
June 1, 2009... There is a great quote by Sun Tzu, Chinese general and military strategist: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." I believe that was a strategy of LP Gas Magazine Editor Patrick Hyland and plaintiff attorney Don Beattie to...

Enhancement of damages: this defense is a developing area of the law, carrying a significant impact.(Legal Brief)
June 1, 2009... When defending members of the propane industry in litigation, it is normal to review the actions of the client I represent and the party bringing the lawsuit to determine the cause of the loss. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are four...

Walter's Propane: company's focus to stay small is challenged by the many uses for propane.(Snap Shot)
June 1, 2009... Before the turn of the century, Walter's Propane was still delivering propane in 100-pound cylinders. The Massachusetts company prided itself on being the smallest propane operation in its area, offering traditional methods of delivery and a...