LP/Gas articles from March 2009

LP/Gas archives from March 2009

Good news/bad news: nationwide propane sales up, but supply and delivery problems persist.(The pH Factor)(Statistical data)
March 1, 2009... The American Petroleum Institute says total domestic propane sales for combined residential, commercial, engine, farm and industrial uses in 2007 were up for the first time in five years. API reports that nationwide retail sales of...

Stimulus includes positives for propane.
March 1, 2009... Provisions in the economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February benefit propane in several ways. They increase the percentage and amount of the alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit. The percentage would be...

PERC OKs four grants via conference call.(Propane Education & Research Council)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Meeting by conference call in February, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved funding for the following grants: * $6.2 million to PERC for the National Energy Conversation initiative (see story on page 35). *...

Propane infrastructure analysis will examine growing concerns.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
March 1, 2009... Fresh off critical supply problems plaguing the Northeast much of this winter, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has agreed to pay consulting firm Purvin and Gertz $155,000 for an in-depth analysis of the U.S. propane industry's...

LP/gas stock index.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
March 1, 2009... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (2/19/09) Distribution Yield AmeriGas APU Dec. $29.14 ...

Heating degree days by state.(Weather Watch)
March 1, 2009... 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, 2009... HIGH RETAIL MARGINS THOUGH SPRING IS UPON US, SMILES ARE STILL FROZEN ON MANY RETAILERS' FACES. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Roush introduces two new propane trucks.
March 1, 2009... Roush Performance, with support from the Propane Education & Research Council, introduced two alternative fuel vehicles available through Ford dealers in the United States and Canada. The 2010 Roush propane-powered Ford F-250 and 2010 Roush...

New motor fuel brochure beneficial as handout, insert.
March 1, 2009... A new propane fleet brochure discusses the benefits of propane for today's fleets, including more miles per dollar, lower emissions and greater environmental benefits. It also highlights propane's exceptional safety record. The fleet...

PERC offers free service for customized marketing materials.
March 1, 2009... "My Marketing Assistant," a complimentary service from the Propane Education & Research Council, makes it easy and fast to create customized marketing materials for propane businesses. "My Marketing Assistant" can modify many of the print...

Energy solutions showcased at International Builders' Show.
March 1, 2009... Energy-efficient appliances took center stage at the American Gas Industry booth at the 2009 International Builders' Show in January in Las Vegas. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) promoted propane appliances for heating and...

Green building standard approved, benefiting propane.
March 1, 2009... The National Association of Home Builders reported that the association's National Green Building Standard for single-family homes, apartments and condos and residential remodeling and renovation has been approved by the American National...

New Mexico opposes propane-regulation bill.
March 1, 2009... House Bill 512, providing for the regulation of propane dealers, has been introduced in the New Mexico Legislature. The legislation would create a new advisory committee with broad and unprecedented authority. The New Mexico Propane Gas...

Free companion training video available from IAFC, PHMSA.
March 1, 2009... The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), under a cooperative agreement with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), developed a companion training video to enhance the use of the Emergency Response...

Homeland security bill may see early action.(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... NPGA has learned that action in the House of Representative may happen sooner than expected on revisions to the law authorizing the Department of Homeland Security chemical facility security regulations. The chairman of the House Homeland...

NFPA researches sidewall vents, requests information on incidents.(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The Fire Protection Research Foundation, in association with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Gas Association, is conducting research into the effects of sidewall vented gas appliances on adjacent buildings. ...

Former New York association president, company founder dies.
March 1, 2009... Douglas T. Kimlin of New Paltz, N.Y., founder of Kimlin Propane and past president of the New York LP Gas Association, died on Feb. 6 at age 77. Kimlin and his wife, Jean, founded the Gardiner, N.Y., company in 1982. He is survived by his wife,...

MPGA develops emergency response program.
March 1, 2009... The Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA) has developed a program designed to provide quicker response times to emergency propane-related incidents. Working jointly with propane dealers in Michigan, the MPGA developed the Propane...

OPW Engineered Systems.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Jeff Reichert and promotion of Tim Warning)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Jeff Reichert has been appointed to general manager at OPW Engineered Systems. The appointment follows the recent promotion of the company's former president, Tim Warning, to president of OPW Fluid Transfer Group. Reichert will report to...

Taylor-Wharton.(PEOPLE)(aappointments at Harsco Corp. Taylor-Wharton Gas Equipment Div.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Robert E. Gadomski, Taylor-Wharton International's CEO, announced executive leadership changes, aimed to create opportunities for growth and international expansion. Stuart Jara has been promoted to president of the Taylor-Wharton divisions for...

Ceodeux.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2009... Hector Munoz has been hired as manufacturer representative at Ceodeux, product developer of valves, fittings and regulators. With 20 years of experience in the compressed gas industry, Munoz will assume the sales and marketing responsibilities...

Blackmer.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2009... Tom Madden has been promoted to managing director at Blackmer, while Jim Pope has been promoted to director of finance at the pump manufacturing company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tax credits, rebates and incentives.(IN THE KNOW)
March 1, 2009... Propane Resources surveyed 228 retail propane marketers across the United States regarding the following questions about tax credits, rebates and incentive programs. We received responses from 47 companies. Here is what they had to say. ...

Events.(Vital Signs)(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... * APRIL 2-3 PERC council meeting at Marriott Atlanta Marquis Hotel. Contact Anna Lombardo at anna.lombardo@ propanecouncil.org or 202-452-8975. * APRIL 4-6 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo at the Georgia World...

Study: more households need assistance in paying energy bills; LIHEAP hits record level.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
March 1, 2009... Programs that help low-income households pay their energy bills are more critical than ever, according to a study released in December 2008 by the American Gas Association. The study reports that in recent winters impoverished households...

LIHEAP appropriations.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)(Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program )(Statistical table)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... LIHEAP Appropriations [FY 1982-FY 2009 U.S. DOLLARS] Fiscal Year Total funds appropriated 82 $1.875 billion 83 $1.975 billion 84 $2.075 billion 85 $2.100...

Market madness: wholesale price plunge brings healthy margins for most marketers this winter season.(WINTER SUPPLY)(Cover story)(Statistical data)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A marginal year? Not this time around. When the worldwide recession drove down the cost of oil from $147 per barrel to $37, it took propane's pricing right along with it. Although some parts of the country...

Fueling the flame of national debate: propane industry to invest $6 million to ramp up green energy message.(MARKETING CAMPAIGN)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) will spend more than $6 million in the second half of 2009 to make the industry's voice heard amid growing nationwide clamor about the economy, energy and global...

New age, new solutions: our new section is a mixed bag of ideas, insights and tools to grow sales.(Marketing Mix)
March 1, 2009... Welcome to the first issue of Marketing Mix, an expanded presentation of information to help propane retailers improve sales through better marketing. The section has been in the planning for about a year. Its genesis came from discussions...

Knowledge is power: your peers will attend and look for that competitive edge, but will you?(Marketing In Motion)
March 1, 2009... The NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo will be held April 4-6 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event is an international trade show and education conference for propane industry members to network,...

Online: text ads work best.(Marketing Mix)
March 1, 2009... Despite all the buzz about "rich media" lately, the simple text ad is still the most effective way to advertise online, according to an October 2008 survey by iPerceptions (http://www.iperceptions.com). Specifically, the market research...

Hedging vs. speculating: confusing these terms could cost individuals jobs, companies existences.(Business Matters)
March 1, 2009... The propane season of 2008-09 will be one for the books for a lot of reasons. Driven by unpredictable events in the past year, Mr. Belvieu spot propane rose to nearly $2 per gallon and then dropped to less than half of the high--all in a matter...

Tank-ownership concerns: your company's policy is a critical part of safety, loss-control success.(Safety First)
March 1, 2009... The topics of filling non-owned tanks, tank ownership and unauthorized product transfer have been in the news and on the dockets for legislative change. Some states have considered and passed legislation that spells out concerns regarding...

Keeping his word: President Obama is working toward making his energy vision a reality.(Washington Report)
March 1, 2009... President Barack Obama is wasting no time putting his stamp on energy policy as he promised during his campaign. At his first event at the White House as president, he said, "It will be the policy of my administration to reverse our...

LPG the 'SmartWay': EPA initiative represents cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options.(Let's Talk)
March 1, 2009... The Propane Education & Research Council Web site links to a UsePropane. com page where a headline declares: Propane cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Explanatory text follows: From fleet vehicles, to farm equipment to homes across the...

Buckley heating & cooling: Rhode Island heating oil company uses survey to help start propane sales.(Snap Shot: COMPANIES TO WATCH)
March 1, 2009... Buckley Heating & Cooling has specialized in heating oil for 90 years, but within the last 10 it has grown with propane. The Rhode Island company added propane to its long list of products and services in 2001, with a survey fueling the...