LP/Gas articles from March 2005

LP/Gas archives from March 2005

Armed and dangerous.(contribution of propane industry to nation's economy)(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... When the propane industry descends on Capitol Hill May 10-11 to plug its inaugural Propane Days, it will arrive armed with two new, potent pieces of ammunition. In one hand will be a fat, 69-page study of the propane industry's impact on...

Will-call survey.(IN THE KNOW)
March 1, 2005... We asked 500 retail propane marketers about their routed and will-call customers. We compiled answers from 73 respondents. Here are the results. Key Outcomes: * Over half of independent retail marketers surveyed had more than 20...

LP/Gas stock index.(Illustration)
March 1, 2005... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distri- Yield Ended (2/11/05) bution AmeriGas APU Dec $29.61 $2.20 ...

Propane MLP price history.
March 1, 2005... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] 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...

Weather watch.(Illustration)
March 1, 2005... January Yellow = lower than average heating degree days Blue = higher than average heating degree days Gray = percent change not meaningful See our Web page for the latest weather updates www.LPGASmagazine.com Heating...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... * April 2-5 National Propane Gas Association Southeastern Convention and Trade Show in Atlanta. For details, contact Chuck Brandon at cbrandon@npga.org or 678-290-8262. * April 4 South Carolina Propane Gas Association spring membership...

Avoiding a weak safety backhand.(SAFETY FIRST)(Column)
March 1, 2005... Anyone who plays tennis and has a weak backhand shot understands the lengths we will go to avoid improving a weakness. In tennis, you take extra steps to be in position to hit a more comfortable forehand shot. In safety, we tend to do the...

Your business and the Internet.(Petrochemicals industry)(Column)
March 1, 2005... The remarkable evolution of the electronic age is transforming how all of us communicate, make decisions and conduct business. I am beginning to agree with many technology experts that say the changes are still in an early stage and that we...

GPS proven best for hazmat tracking.(Global Positioning System)
March 1, 2005... Wireless global positioning systems have thus far shown the highest promise as a new technology to track hazardous material shipments. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tested a variety of systems to improve security,...

Appliance labeling rule.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
March 1, 2005... The Federal Trade Commission has updated its Appliance Labeling Rule, effective April 27. It includes new ranges for washing machines and dishwashers. See the Jan. 27 Federal Register.

Energy Efficiency Act.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
March 1, 2005... Rep. Lee Terry has introduced the Energy Efficiency Investment Act (H.R. 424) to the Ways & Means Committee. It would provide tax credits for installing Energy Star air control systems and insulation.

HOS regulations reconsidered.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
March 1, 2005... FMCSA is reconsidering hours of service regulations published in 2003 to conform them to a federal court rule saying they didn't consider effects of physical condition of drivers and other safety issues. Details: Jan. 24 Federal Register.

RSPA incorporates exemptions.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
March 1, 2005... RSPA officially incorporated some "widely used exemptions" into its hazmat regulations concerning salvage cylinders and meter provers. Anyone with existing exemptions won't have to re-apply. The changes also revise rules for packaging,...

Security fees set.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Transportation Security Administration has issued final rules regarding fees for security threat assessments for hazmat drivers. The fee for information collection is $38 in states where a TSA agent collects fingerprints. There also is a...

Study quantifies propane's impact; will it help the industry?
March 1, 2005... At last, the U.S. government is seeing the (blue) light, as Washington is finally finding out what everyone in the propane industry has known for years: propane is an integral part of the U.S. economy. A new study recently unveiled by the...

'Average' winter weather squeezes margins, cash flow: with mild weather outside, profits are freezing inside.
March 1, 2005... As January rolled into February, propane marketers nationwide were hoping for a prolonged cold spell to bolster what's being called an average heating season with fewer gallons pumped and lower margins earned. "It's been a very ho-hum...

Lower back injuries: prevention and treatment strategies.
March 1, 2005... According to the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, lower back injuries remain the single most common type of work-related injury. A wealth of public and private research into the types and causes of back pain paints a clear...

Should you bribe or bully your team? Propane retailers weigh in with advice on how to motivate your employees.
March 1, 2005... Running a propane retail business is like driving a racecar: you can conceivably do it yourself, but the odds of winning improve if you've got a motivated team working in the pits. Your team of bobtail drivers, bookkeepers, service...

FMCSA publishes hours-of-service rules.(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is beginning the process to determine what changes, if any, are needed to make its hours-of-service rules acceptable to the federal court that overturned them in July. FMCSA published its...

TSA sets fees for hazmat background checks.(Transportation Security Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Transportation Security Administration has begun charging $94 background checks of each driver in 34 states that have opted to use the government agency to review the eligibility of drivers seeking a hazmat endorsement. Reviews of current...

World LP gas association helping tsunami relief work.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The World LP Gas Association is coordinating relief efforts for areas impacted by the Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The WLPGA effort includes working with the United Nations relief effort to help to understand the needs...

National energy bills again being considered.(Clean Efficient Automobiles Resulting from Advanced Car Technologies Act)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Federal lawmakers are taking another look at the nation's energy policy. House leaders are hoping for speedy passage of an energy bill nearly identical to one approved two years ago; the Senate is taking a bipartisan look that is likely to...

Transportation security review in homeland security committee.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to turn over review of transportation security issues to the newly created House Homeland Security Committee. The National Propane Gas Association and other hazardous materials industry...

Liberty Propane acquires former Jenkins Gas sites.(OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS)
March 1, 2005... Liberty Propane has acquired all but five of the retail propane locations of Jenkins The Energy Company--formerly known as Jenkins Gas Company. The purchase includes propane operations of 17 locations in North Carolina and Jenkins'...

Superior Propane adds wholesale marketing firm.(Foster Energy Corp)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Superior Propane, a division of Superior Plus Inc., has purchased the business of Foster Energy Corp. Both firms are based in Calgary. Foster provides natural gas liquids wholesale marketing services, including transportation, storage, risk...

Advanced Digital Data adds Versyss energy division.(Versyss Commercial Systems)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Advanced Digital Data (ADD Systems) has acquired the assets of the energy division of Versyss Commercial Systems. The deal includes the Versyss Classic, Apex and Sunrise energy software products, more than 350 customers, 35 employees and...

Griffith Energy acquires supplier Gibbs Gas Service.(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK)
March 1, 2005... Griffith Energy, one of New York's largest marketers of propane, heating oils and power fuels, has acquired Gibbs Gas Service, a propane supplier in Livonia, N.Y. Gibbs Gas Service services about 1,300 customers.

USDA recognizes thermal weed control using propane.(United States. Department of Agriculture)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has formally recognized thermal weed control using a propane flame or heat as an authorized organic production practice. Now that it's been authorized, organic farmers can use propane-generated...

Osaka Gas offers new processor for home fuel cell system.(OSAKA, JAPAN)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Osaka Gas, Japan's second-largest gas supplier, has started selling a compact processor that makes hydrogen from liquefied petroleum gas to provide hydrogen for one-kilowatt-level home-use fuel cell systems. The processor is now valued at...

D.C. is first-ever city to ban hazmat shipments.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
March 1, 2005... The District of Columbia's City Council has approved a 90-day ban on the transportation of hazardous materials in the nation's capital. The city is the first in the nation to approve such a ban. The ban, approved Feb. 1 as an anti-terrorist...

Forklift emissions, maintenance training program dates set.(Propane Education & Research Council's workshops)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council's Propane Forklift Emissions and Maintenance and Training Workshops continue to roll across the country. The PERC-sponsored workshop was geared to help with compliance of increasingly strict federal...

Black & Veatch completes acquisitions of Rudden, Lukens.(HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK)
March 1, 2005... Black & Veatch Corp. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of two firms. The company has acquired R.J. Rudden Associates Inc., based in Hauppauge, N.Y., a strategic, economic and management consulting firm that specializes in the...

Truckers argue feds should control hazmat loading, storage.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A Department of Transportation rule that would limit its ability to regulate the loading, unloading and storage of hazardous materials has been delayed to allow time to address concerns. The rule was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1....

Census Bureau says Americans prefer gas heat sources.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The National Propane Gas Association reports that the U.S. Census Bureau released new data in November showing more than half of the nation's homes use gas as their heating fuel. The bureau's American Community Survey reported that in 2003...

Effort underway to convert diesel water pumps to electric.(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Agricultural Energy Consumers Association, the Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison have announced a new program to encourage Central Valley farmers to convert diesel-powered water irrigation pumps to electric. ...

PERC awards project funding.(Propane Education & Research Council)
March 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council in December approved funding for the following grants: * $17.4 million to PERC for its homeowner advertising and outreach campaign. * $4 million to PERC for its consumer education partnership...

EIA issues brochure explaining propane prices to consumers.(Energy Information Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Energy Information Administration has released a consumer-oriented brochure to help explain propane prices. The brochure--"Propane Prices: What Consumers Should Know"--offers a description of propane and its origins and what impacts...

PERC adds photos to its online advertising kit for retailers.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
March 1, 2005... New photos have been added to the propane industry's Online Ad Kit offered through the Propane Education & Research Council. The pictures include outdoor living scenes, landscaped tanks and propane vehicles and are available for industry...

PERC safety and training web site gets new look.(Propane Education & Research Council)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council has redesigned the Web site for the industry's safety and training programs. The site, www.propanesafety.com, provides propane professionals and emergency responders with in-depth information. Also...

Ferrellgas finalist for workplace mobility award.(Ferrellgas Partners L.P.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Ferrellgas Partners L.P. has been named a finalist for the 2004 MEA Mobile Impact Awards. Ferrellgas received the recognition based on implementation of its Project Renaissance system, which features portable, handheld technologies that...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2005... The February 2005 issue of LP Gas inadvertently omitted some names in Heritage Propane's listing in the Top 50 retailers. The following should have been included: Officers: H. Michael Krimbill, president and chief financial officer; R.C....

Fireplace systems.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Hearth & Home Technologies introduced several new products at the 2005 International Builder's Show in Orlando. They include the Cyclone and Twilight II fireplaces from Heat & Glo, and FreshAir fireplace from Heatilator. The Cyclone...

Fireplace remote controls.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Ambient Technologies offers a new line of Touch Light Table Top/Wall Mount remote controls for use with fireplaces. The remote is designed to function as a decorative element and gives users fingertip control. An LCD display indicates when...

Safety eyewear.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Uvex introduces its FitLogic safety eyewear, designed to offer a custom fit for any face. The FitLogic allows wearers to adjust the eyewear at four different points to match their own profiles. A cushioned, lightweight browbar adjusts to...

B-vent fireplace system.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Martin Hearth & Heating introduces two new Step Up Builder B-Vent Fireplace Systems. The 36- and 42-inch brick-to-brick fireplace systems have radiant faces with a pan burner and four-piece log system. Hidden controls and finishing materials...

Vent-free gas logs.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Monessen Hearth Systems introduces a new line of Emberbed vent-free gas logs in Split Maple and Kentucky Stack. The logs are crafted from real wood for a realistic appearance, and feature a unique, low-profile burner for the appearance of...

Propane tanks.(Products)(LPG Ventures Inc. )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... LPG Ventures Inc. of Raytown, Mo. has announced the addition of Liberty Tank & Vessel's ASME and DOT tanks to their line of products and service. The above ground or underground tanks are now available with Ever-Last tank coating in sizes...

Gas warning system.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Draeger Safety Inc. presents its X-am 7000--a new portable multigas warning instrument. The device can be fitted with three electrochemical and two infrared optical or catalytic sensors and can simultaneously measure up to five gases. A...

Vent-free cast stove.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Monessen Hearth Systems offers two vent-free cast stove systems with one or three burners. The CSVF30 cast stove has an exclusive triple burner and logs for glowing emberbed, glowing logs and a yellow flame. The CSVF20, which is approved...

Product warranty.(Products)
March 1, 2005... International Comfort Products has improved its residential warranty on Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, Arcoaire and KeepRite products installed after Jan. 1. The changes will extend the compressor warranty on 12 SEER split air conditioners and...

Mechanical couplings.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Perfection Corporation's large diameter plastic mechanical coupling, now called Permasert XL, is available in several new sizes. The Permasert XLP, used to join PE-to-PE gas mains, is offered in 2-in. to 8-in. IPS sizes; the Permasert XLS,...

Flame detector.(Products)
March 1, 2005... MSA Instrument Division presents its MSA FlameGard IR(superscript 3) Flame Detector for continuous monitoring of hydrocarbon-based fires. The detector's triple-infrared design monitors three different infrared frequencies--offering two to...

Enco catalog.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Enco announces the release of its 2005 Master Catalog with more than 3,000 new products. The catalog, which is available in a print version or at the company's Web site, offers more than 40,000 products in its selection of metalworking...

Trencher.(Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The new Ditch Witch RT40 is an upgrade of the company's 3700 trencher. It comes with a quiet, engine emissions-compliant Deutz engine and features an easy-to-read instrument panel, extra leg room, grab handles for getting on and off the machine...

CornerStone Propane.(CornerStone Propane Operating LLC. appointed Paul Grady, Dave Riggan and Joe Sorce )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... CornerStone Propane Operating LLC has announced three additions to its management team. After a one year absence from the propane industry, Paul Grady has returned to serve as chief operating officer for CornerStone. The former chief...

Ray Murray Inc.(appointed Michael R. Hopsicker)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Ray Murray III has announced the creation of a partnership with Michael R. Hopsicker, which names him the president and CEO of Ray Murray Inc. in Lee, Mass. Hopsicker is scheduled to assume these responsibilities by March 1, 2005. He will...

Empire Comfort Systems Inc.(appointed Jim Kovacs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Jim Kovacs has joined Empire Comfort Systems in Belleville, Ill. as director of engineering. He has 17 years of hearth products experience, including serving as director of engineering for CFM US Corp. and for Temco Fireplace Products. ...

DESA.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2005... DESA, of Bowling Green, Ky., has appointed Randy Schickert to president of its indoor/outdoor heating products. Schickert will lead the company's product development, customer expansion and operational excellence. He formerly held a...

Tidewater Propane Gas Assoc.(appointed Brian Atwood, Randy Krainiak, Bill Blair, Ray Edmondson and Wayne Carpenter)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Tidewater Propane Gas Association, which represents southeastern Virginia and Northwestern North Carolina, has chosen its officers for 2005. They are: Brian Atwood of A&B Propane, president; Randy Krainiak of Albermarle Gas, vice...

Energy Solutions.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2005... Jonathan Mefferd has joined Energy Solutions International, of Houston, Texas, as general counsel. Mefferd most recently worked as chief transactional counsel for Aspen Technology. He previously represented energy software developer...

In memoriam.(PEOPLE)(Obituary)
March 1, 2005... Michael J. Cafarella, hailed as one of the pioneers of the propane industry, died Dec. 3. He was 86. Cafarella began his career in the industry with Pyrofax Gas. He spent 45 years with the company before retiring, working in New Jersey,...

NPGA targets Hours of Service issue.(National Propane Gas Association)
March 1, 2005... Just when you thought it was safe to get used to the new hours-of-service regulations, the U.S. Department of Transportation has found itself hip-deep in controversy. As a propane marketer, I am pleased to be leading the National Propane...

On PERC.(Propane Education & Research Council)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 1, 2005... In regards to your view point article "The Supreme Beef" (January View Point column) I would like to respond. As a retail propane marketer, my major concern is where will this end? As a marketer of just 3 million gallons, I alone paid...

Gas Pains.(LET'S TALK)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2005... IN CASE OF MOTIVATIONAL EMERGENCY, BREAK GLASS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

2005 Southeast show guide.(SOUTHEAST SHOWCASE)(Illustration)
March 1, 2005... Look up our advertisers with booths at the show Company Booth number(s) Actaris/Neptune 623-625 American Equipment Finance 223 American...

The 55th annual Southeastern show: the National Propane Gas Association's premiere annual global trade show, expected to draw 4,000 propane professionals to 250 exhibits, to be held in Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center April 2-5.(SOUTHEAST SHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Actaris Producer of the world's most reliable mechanical meters for more than a century, Actaris again leads the way with the introduction of the RML-1000, the first mass flow meter for LP gas. Combined with the E4000 register, the new...