LP/Gas articles from March 2006

LP/Gas archives from March 2006

Winter wondering.(VIEW POINT)
March 1, 2006... It's winters like this past one that drive independent propane marketers into an early retirement. Record-high gas prices, the tease of a cold November and December followed by a record-warm January test the fortitude of the most dedicated...

In the know.(payment methods)(Survey)
March 1, 2006... Payment Methods Survey We asked 400 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about payment methods that are accepted by their company. We heard back from 36 companies. Here is what they had to say.: ...

LP/Gas stock index.(Statistical table)
March 1, 2006... LP/GAS STOCK INDEX Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (2/3/06) AmeriGas APU Sept. $31.21 ...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Table)
March 1, 2006... Heating degree days by state State Jan Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 450 -230 2792 -62...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... * April 6-7 Propane Education & Research Council meeting in Atlanta. For details, contact Anna Gaboton at 202-452-8975 or anna.gaboton@propanecouncil.org. * April 9-11 National Propane Gas Association's Southeastern Convention and...

Limited liability aims at bad-faith claim.(SAFETY FIRST)
March 1, 2006... Guaranties are hard to come by. Sure, they are offered, but always at a price. When you buy a new appliance or electronic, they try to sell you a warranty to cover product failure after 12 months. Of course this is in addition to your purchase...

In business, all profits are costs.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
March 1, 2006... Profit serves three purposes: * It measures the net effectiveness and soundness of a business's efforts. * It is the risk premium that covers the costs of staying in business--replacement, obsolescence, market risk and uncertainty....

The seasonal customer conundrum.(LEGAL BRIEF)
March 1, 2006... Virtually all propane marketers have seasonal customers, primarily on their residential accounts and usually in areas where vacationing is a big part of the local economy. People often purchase second homes or have a hunting lodge that they...

Feeling the heat: fewer gallons burned may spur owners' retirement plans, delay equipment purchases.
March 1, 2006... For the first time ever, in early February, the ferry serving the Lake Erie Islands was able to shove-off into open waters--much to the delight of an islander who was forced by a fierce December gale to leave his car ashore on the mainland. ...

Road warriors: anti-terrorism training for truck drivers help prevent potential safety and security threats on the nation's roadways.
March 1, 2006... Caroline Guay was looking out the window of her home one-day several years ago when she saw something out of the ordinary. "There was a car I had never seen in my neighbor's carport and somebody I had never seen was spray painting it," she...

Propane-powered lawnmowers: a cut above other turf care fuels: efficient and clean with off-season load, they present a wide swath of opportunity.
March 1, 2006... Mowing down the competition may have new meaning for propane marketers who push the turf care benefits of LPG-powered commercial lawn mowers. By providing fuel for this brand new equipment, marketers could rake in some off-season greenbacks....

A fond farewell: after 20 years at the helm of the Southeastern Show, Chuck Brandon is saying so long.
March 1, 2006... Among the many mementos that Chuck Brandon soon will be packing up is a plaque that hangs on the wall of his Kennesaw, Ga., office just outside side Atlanta. Those who know him best agree that it pretty much says it all: A warm, genial and...

The 56th 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 8-11.(SOUTHEASTERN SHOWCASE)
March 1, 2006... Actaris Producer of the world's most reliable mechanical meters for more than a century, Actaris continues to lead the way with the RML-2000, the only mass flow meter for LP gas delivery. Combined with the E4000 register, the new meter is...

Mild weather lowers average household bill forecast.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Feb. 7 energy forecast from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that propane users will pay less for total fuel expenditures this winter than expected. An average household primarily heating with propane can now expect...

PERC funds dedicated propane engine pickup truck, school bus.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Propane Education & Research Council)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Propane Education & Research Council has approved a pair of engine fuel projects that will ultimately lead to the commercialization of a dedicated propane-powered Ford F-150 pickup truck and a propane-powered Blue Bird school bus. The...

Bobtail tax increase lower than expected.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) is not going to propose a bobtail fee increase for the 2006-07-registration year above what is already provided within federal rules, according to the National Propane Gas Association. NPGA...

Alabama lawmakers ponder limited liability bill.(MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA)
March 1, 2006... Alabama state lawmakers are mulling a limited liability bill that is designed to protect propane dealers from liability when they do not install or repair a heater, stove or other propane appliance. The measure would mandate that anyone...

Propane highlighted at Gulf Coast housing conference.(BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
March 1, 2006... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) reports that the reliability of the propane industry was among topics discussed at a January housing conference here. More than 650 people attended the conference, a part of The Gulf Coast...

Chemical anti-terrorism bill introduced in Senate.(WASHINGTON, DC)
March 1, 2006... Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Joe Liberman (D-Conn.) have introduced a bill aimed at increasing security at some chemical facilities. The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2005 would require some chemical facilities to...

College lands funding for RV training program.(CAMP HILL, PENNSYLVIA)(Northampton Community College)(recreational vehicle)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Pennsylvania Propane Foundation has given $20,000 to the Northampton Community College's RV Technician Program. The college is among the approved sites for the National Recreational Vehicle Technical Institute. NCC, in partnership with...

Missouri family wins propane-fueled dream home giveaway.(SALISBURY, MARYLAND)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A Missouri family is the proud owner of the DIY Network's Best Built Home Giveaway, a contest co-sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council. After being picked last June from more than 4.5 million entrants, Billie and Jesse...

Propane promotion, education materials now available.(WASHINGTON, DC)
March 1, 2006... Promotional and educational materials used by the Propane Education & Research Council at the 2006 International Builders' Show are now available for use at regional, state and local builders' shows. The materials include Energy Guys...

NPGA again pushes to change criteria for removal of tanks.(WASHINGTON, DC)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has filed a second supplement to its pending application for a special permit to allow the lifting and removal of propane tanks that contain more than 5 percent of residual content. The effort...

Hearth & Home Technologies acquires distributor.(MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA)
March 1, 2006... Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of HNI Corp., announces its acquisition of the assets of Fireplace Distribution Inc., an installing hearth distributor based in Riverside, Calif. Hearth & Home Technologies will operate the...

Pipeline settlement talks again break off.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Talks between groups that had tried to reach a settlement with Mid America Pipeline Company over rate increases have broken off with no agreement. The negotiations were the final step in the process that sought to resolve differences with...

Worthington Cylinders offers shipping within 24 hours.(COLUMBUS, OHIO)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Industrial resale cylinders can be shipped within 24 hours under a new rapid order fulfillment program announced by Worthington Cylinders. With the new program, called CylinDirect Express, orders are shipped from warehouses in Tilbury,...

State fuel tax relief bill approved for Georgia residents.(ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
March 1, 2006... Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation in January that will give the state's residents a break on their heating bills this season. The measure reduces a residential customer's sales tax on liquid propane from 4 percent to 2 percent...

Valley National acquires United Propane Services.(WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA)
March 1, 2006... Valley National Gases Inc. has purchased United Propane Services Inc. of Du Bois, Pa., an area where Valley National Gases already has a presence. Bill Indelicato, vice chairman and CEO of Valley National Gases, said the acquisition was "a...

Number of fatal U.S. truck crashes drops in 2004.(WASHINGTON, DC)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The number of fatal crashes involving large trucks fell to an all-time low during 2004, according to the American Trucking Associations. The crash rate declined in 2004 to 1.96 crashes per 100 million truck miles--down from 2.01 fatal...

Propane data and strategic forecasting tool available.(WASHINGTON, DC)
March 1, 2006... The Propane Education & Research Council is offering the propane industry the Propane Data and Forecast Model, a tool designed to help companies predict near-term propane demand in their area. The model--constructed especially for the...

Convenience outlet.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Marshall Excelsior introduces a new GAS BOX convenience outlet. The outlet is available in three colors--ivory, gray or black--and in dual- or single-outlet models. The outlet can be installed and plumbed directly into the home gas...

Liquid level gage.(PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 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...

LPG filter.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Energy Additives of Battle Creek, Mich., announces the launch of a multi-stage filter system that extracts 90 to 97 percent of impurities from LP gas. The filter eliminates heavies and particulates such as sulfur and metal flakes,...

Expanded product line.(PRODUCTS)(handling hazardous liquids )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... OPW Engineered Systems, an OPW Fluid Transfer Group, has extended its dry disconnect product line to include the new Epsilon high flow dry disconnect products. Epsilon is a dry disconnect fitting used in the chemical and pharmaceutical...

Guardrail product.(PRODUCTS)(Ultra-GuardRail from UltraTech International inc)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... UltraTech International inc. is offering the Ultra-GuardRail, a composite of thermoplastic and fiberglass materials designed to provide strength comparable to steel with greater corrosion resistance. It is geared for corrosive environments...

Power take-off unit.(Chelsea Products)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Chelsea Products, a division of Parker Hannifin, has developed 10-bolt, side-mounted, Power Take-Off (PTO) units in conjunction with Caterpillar to operate on Cat's new CX series automatic transmission. The Power Take-Off units offer up to...

Single-gas detector.(PRODUCTS)(single-gas detector from Mine Safety Appliance Co)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Mine Safety Appliance Co. has released the ALTAIR single-gas detector. The detectors have three sensor options, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and oxygen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide versions can operate for...

Safety program.(PRODUCTS)
March 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...

Replacement warranty program expanded.(PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... International Comfort Products is now offering its No Hassle Replacement limited warranties across all new Tempstar, Heil, Comfortmaker, Arcoaire and KeepRite brand product lines for up to 10 years of coverage. Mainline models installed on...

Insulated wire stripper/cutter.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Klein Tools is offering an insulated wire stripper/cutter, for 8-16 AWG stranded wire, that is designed to protect against shock from energized sources up to 1,000 volts. The tool meets or exceeds ASTM F1505-01 and IEC 60900:2004 standards...

Crane service body.(PRODUCTS)(Titan line of crane service bodies from Auto Crane Co.)
March 1, 2006... Auto Crane Co. is introducing its Titan line of crane service bodies. The Titan 60-14 has 14 ft. of bed space and the capacity to support up to a 60,000 ft. lb. crane. It uses a one-piece side pack constructed of 10-gauge galvanneal and...

Portable tote.(PRODUCTS)(Victor Portable Totes from Thermadyne Industries Inc)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Thermadyne Industries Inc. introduces its Victor Portable Totes. The totes are professionally equipped to perform HVAC and commercial job cutting and welding tasks. The totes feature an in-line, balanced carrying case for ease in...

Harsco Corp.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... Harsco Corp., based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., has appointed James E. Cline as president of its Harsco GasServ business group. Cline will retain responsibilities for the direction of the Harsco GasServ Global Governance Committee. He has served...

Cincinnati Propane.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... Darvin Nelson Fisher, chief operating officer of Cincinnati Propane Inc., of Miamiville, Ohio, died Jan. 9. Fisher had worked in the industry for many years and in 1991 started Cincinnati Propane with his partner Bill Stouffer. The company...

Worthington Cylinders.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... Worthington Cylinders has appointed Harry A. Goussetis as its president. Goussetis has been vice president of human resources for Worthington Industries since 2001. He previously served as vice president of legal and administration for...

Ray Murray Inc.(PEOPLE)(Ed Peyser retired from Ray Murray Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Ed Peyser, a regional sales manager for Ray Murray Inc., of Bensalem, Pa., retired Feb. 3. Hired in 1983, Peyser helped the company become a leading distributor of gas equipment products in the northeastern United States. Peyser plans to...

MID:COM.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... MID:COM, based in Hampton, Iowa, announces the hiring of Barton J. Schaefer as a software engineer/developer. Schaefer has been developing and implementing PC-based, on-board propane delivery systems for nearly 10 years.

Oseco.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... The Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, based in Broken Arrow, Okla., has named Anthony Shaneyfelt as its Midwest regional manager. Shaneyfelt will be responsible for provid-training to customers in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan,...

United Propane Gas.(PEOPLE)(Scott Fowler appointed as a new area manager)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... United Propane Gas, of Paducah, Ky., has named Scott Fowler as a new area manager. Fowler will oversee the Alabama and Georgia operations. He is a 30-year veteran of the propane industry and previously worked for Western Kentucky L.P. Gas,...

Eastern Propane & Oil.(PEOPLE)(Rick Sanborn appointed as a manager of information technology)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Eastern Propane & Oil has hired Rick Sanborn as manager of information technology. Sanborn was formerly the network manager at Apogent Technologies in Portsmouth, NH. Prior to that he was a network engineer at Harvard Industries for 10...

The cost of skipping service on installations.(LET'S TALK)
March 1, 2006... Companies and employees too often fall victim to unfortunate events that are of their own creation. A long-standing accident theory (Heinrich's Domino Theory) states that accidents and injuries are a result of unsafe acts or conditions that are...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
March 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: WE'RE NOT TOO VIGILANT, ARE WE? NO SUCH THING