LP/Gas articles from March 2008

LP/Gas archives from March 2008

The numbers don't lie: total propane sales across the nation are down for a fourth straight year.(View Point)
March 1, 2008... The American Petroleum Institute says total domestic propane sales for combined residential, commercial, engine, farm and industrial uses in 2006 fell for the fourth consecutive year. API reports that nationwide retail sales of...

Fisher Controls issues regulator safety notice.(Fisher Controls International Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Fisher Controls issued a safety notice on Feb. 15 requesting the return of certain regulators that are currently in customer inventory and those that have been installed in the field within 30 days of receipt of the notice. The notice applies...

Rinnai recalls some wall furnaces.
March 1, 2008... The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rinnai America Corp. have announced a voluntary recall of certain direct-vent wall furnaces that are fueled by natural gas or propane. The recall involves Rinnai EnergySaver direct-vent wall furnaces,...

NPGA using grassroots campaign to fight storage-regulation attempts.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
March 1, 2008... Behind a grassroots campaign, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the industry continue to fight efforts to regulate facilities that store propane. The House Homeland Security Committee is making the latest push against the...

LP/Gas stock index.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
March 1, 2008... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (2/15/08) AmeriGas APU September ...

Heating degree days by state.(Weather Watch)(Statistical table)
March 1, 2008... WeatherWatch HEATING DEGREE DAYS BY STATE DEVIATION DEVIATION FROM LAST 12 FROM STATE JANUARY NORM MONTHS NORM ...

Gas pains.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2008... CABINET HEATER ENTRY? WE'VE SPENT HOW MUCH ON THIS? WHAT ABOUT SAFETY? MAYBE WHEN IT EMANATES MORE HEAT THAN CONTROVERSY [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Industry kicks off national ad campaign.
March 1, 2008... The propane industry launched a national advertising campaign, with spring ads running through May 18. The fall campaign will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. The 2008 media plan targets homeowners and builders, but this year builders are...

PERC approves strategic campaign, funding requests.
March 1, 2008... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved a strategic campaign to help raise awareness among Washington, D.C., decision-makers about propane as a "green" energy source. The campaign is part of the Capital Action Program, a joint...

PERC manual helps farmers with refilling propane equipment.
March 1, 2008... The Propane Education & Research Council developed a new training manual, Dispensing Propane Safely into Agricultural Equipment, which is designed to train farmers on the proper procedures for refilling certain mobile agricultural equipment...

Homebuilder award winners announced at international show.(Awards list)
March 1, 2008... Homebuilders from Connecticut and Montana were winners of the fifth annual Propane Exceptional Energy Homebuilder Awards at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. PERC and members of the propane industry announced Dream Developers of...

Companies increase prices, cite increased steel, energy costs.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... American Welding & Tank LLC and Worthington Cylinders have announced price increases, due to an increase in steel and energy costs. American Welding & Tank LLC said price increases and transportation surcharges are effective Feb. 16,...

Public comment period extended for HOS rules.
March 1, 2008... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended the public comment period for its interim hours-of-service rule to March 17. It was supposed to close on Feb. 15. The FMCSA's interim rule, effective Dec. 27, has allowed...

Official: trucking registration fees maintained for 2008.
March 1, 2008... A member of the board overseeing the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program said fees collected from trucking companies probably wouldn't change this year, Transport Topics reported. The program began last year and replaced the Single...

Tarantin Tank & Equipment Co. celebrates 25th anniversary.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Tarantin Tank & Equipment Co. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1983, Tarantin remains a family business with Tom, Rich and Jim Tarantin carrying on the values and traditions set forth by their father, John. The company...

Clean Cities group honors Dixie Chopper for propane mower.
March 1, 2008... The Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance (CICCA) presented Dixie Chopper with the 2008 CICCA Stakeholder Achievement Award for outstanding accomplishment in the development of the first original engine manufactured propane-powered lawn mower....

Ramsey Industries Inc. acquires Eskridge Inc.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Ramsey Industries Inc. announced the acquisition of Eskridge Inc. of Olathe, Kan. Eskridge is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of planetary gear drives, auger drives and multiple-disc brakes for sale to distributors and original equipment...

Griffith Energy adds to its presence in New York.
March 1, 2008... Griffith Energy announced its acquisition of Halstead Oil Co., a heating oil and power fuels supplier in Albion, N.Y., effective Feb. 29. Griffith Energy is one of the largest combined marketers of propane, heating oils and power fuels in New...

PERC sponsors race team, first alternative-fuel vehicle.
March 1, 2008... Advancements in the automobile industry, including the use of alternative fuels, were recognized Feb. 12 at the Great Race 2008: New York to Paris centennial celebration in New York City. One hundred years ago, six cars left Times Square in...

Elster Gas North America.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... Craig Raivitch has been appointed sales manager for the New York territory for Elster Gas North America's business unit, Elster American Meter. Raivitch will be responsible for increasing sales and sustaining current customer base for gas...

World LP Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... Neasa Ni Liathain has joined the association as marketing and communications manager. She will take responsibility for strategic communications for the WLPGA, including all aspects of the annual World LP Gas Forum. Ni Liathain joins WLPGA with...

Tarantin Tank & Equipment Co.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... David Hart brings 14 years of propane industry experience to Tarantin Tank to serve marketers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Hart's expertise of products and knowledge of all aspects of distribution will benefit the company. ...

In the know.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Survey)
March 1, 2008... Accounts Receivable Propane Resources surveyed 405 retail propane marketers from across the United States asking them the following questions about their accounts receivable. We received responses from 74 companies. Here is what they had...

Events.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... * APRIL 3-4 Rocky Mountain spring conference at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls, ID. Contact Baron Glassgow at bglassgow@npga.org or 866-881-6309. * APRIL 5-6 Mid-Atlantic PGA exhibit at Delaware Home Show at state fairgrounds in Harrington,...

Homeowners rely on vent-free heaters when energy costs rise.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
March 1, 2008... When energy costs rise, more homeowners turn to vent-free heating appliances, such as fireplace inserts, to supplement their central heating systems. The Alliance for Vent Free Heaters estimates that about 500,000 new vent-free propane...

Portable or stationary home space heater fires.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Data Points PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Safety is the key issue with heating equipment. Here, we examine the history, frequency and cause of space heater fires. Portable or Stationary Home Space...

Leading factors in space heater fires.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
March 1, 2008... Leading Factors in Space Heater Fires [2002-2005 PERCENT] Heater too close to combustibles 32% Equipment left unattended 17% Improper fueling technique 9% Collision, knockdown or overturn of equipment ...

Shut down: NPGA board votes to suspend controversial composite cylinder cabinet heater initiative.(CABINET HEATERS)(National Propane Gas Association)
March 1, 2008... The propane industry's four-year push to tap into the lucrative indoor cabinet heater market came to a screeching halt when the National Propane Gas Association's (NPGA) board of directors on Feb. 12 voted 88-1 to suspend any further...

A cash-crunched season: consumers costs up 24 percent if weather, price predictions hold.(PRICING/SUPPLY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the price of oil topping $100 per barrel amid a sputtering overall economy, propane marketers and customers alike spent much of the 2007-08 winter heating season struggling to cover their costs. And while some...

The face of delinquency: marketers struggle to keep the heat on when needy customers can't pay up.(ENERGY ASSISTANCE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every day, Holly Linden contends with an increasing number of customers who cannot afford to pay their propane bill. As co-owner of Linden's Propane in LaGrange, Ohio, Linden will direct these customers--some who...

The 58th annual Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo.(SOUTHEASTERN SHOWCASE)
March 1, 2008... 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 March 29-31 Actaris Producer of the world's...

Connect with Washington: Propane Days helps unite people and advance issues in propane industry.(Business Matters)
March 1, 2008... As owners and operators of mostly small-to-medium-size businesses, we tend to focus first on matters that are specific to our marketing footprint. Because our customer base is local, we have an immediate vested interest in local affairs. For...

Conflicting agendas collide: don't compromise safety by allowing other motivations to get in the way.(Safety First)
March 1, 2008... Managing risk requires commitment, focus and an effort to balance agendas that seem in conflict. The propane industry is not immune to conflicting agendas. Price-cutting competition, dangerous driving conditions, financial setbacks, supply...

Defining 'res ipsa loquitur': concept traditionally used by plaintiffs to show negligence in an accident.(Legal Brief)
March 1, 2008... There is a legal concept known as "res ipsa loquitur" that allows a jury to infer that an accident was caused by the negligence of a party without actual proof of that negligence. This inference can only occur when the evidence establishes...

Mirroring debate during 2008: energy legislation remains a focus for Democrats, but is time running out?(Washington Report)
March 1, 2008... In a presidential election year, the congressional agenda often follows the candidates' agendas. Their supporters in Congress introduce legislation and/or engage in debates that support the candidates' positions. Nearly all the debate that...

Crane body.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... H&H Sales Company Inc. introduces the new 12-foot economy crane platform body and propane tank setting truck with 6406H auto crane. The economy body is standard and can hold two 500-gallon propane tanks or one 1,000-gallon propane tank. The...

Application guide.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... The Regulator Division of Emerson Process Management has published the first edition of LP-Gas Regulators and Equipment Application Guide. The 436-page, four-color, hard-cover guide is published as a text-book reference for the LP gas industry....

Catalog.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... Enco announces the release of its Enco 2008 Master Catalog. This year's catalog contains more than 60,000 items, including 18,000 new products. Inclusions in the new book include branded cutting tools from Iscar, OSG, Atrax and Precision Twist...

Strippers.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... Klein Tools has added three bent-nose non-metallic Romex strippers with Klein-Kurve handles to its existing line of strippers and cutters. The bent-nose non-metallic Romex cable stripper, with its patented 90-degree angled nose design, allows...

Analyzers.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... The emergence of Tunable Diode Laser (TDL)-based technologies from SpectraSensors Inc. has created valuable opportunities for refineries and chemical plants to maximize productivity while avoiding high maintenance costs. By instantly and...

Transfer system.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... Marshall Excelsior introduces the Flo-Max LE low emission transfer system. The company says this system provides a safe, ergonomic and efficient solution to LP gas transfer applications while increasing productivity and reducing fugitive...

Valves.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... Marshall Excelsior introduces its line of full port globe and angle valves. For use in LP gas truck, transport and plant applications, the full-port design allows up to 70 percent more flow than competitive models, the company says. The angled...

Labels.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Computer Imprintable Label Systems (CILS) has launched its range of CIL 8000 series durable hazard warning labels that can be printed in-house using an existing laser or thermal transfer printer. CILS hazard warning...

Pricing guides.(Product Showcase: New Products)
March 1, 2008... Transmission coverage pricing guides for 2008 are available from Allison Transmission. The guides provide detailed information and pricing on standard warranty coverage and extended transmission coverage. For a copy of the appropriate guide,...

Poe's Rural and City Gas Co.: Missouri company with desirable location still going strong after 60 years.(Snap Shot: COMPANIES TO WATCH)(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... Location, location, location, That's one of the key selling points at Poe's Rural and City Gas Co. Inc. in Rolla, Mo. Since the family retail business was founded in 1947, its main office has been located directly on train tracks running...