LP/Gas articles from May 2005

LP/Gas archives from May 2005

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Illustration)
May 1, 2005... Heating degree days by state State March Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 384 38 2599 -255 Alaska 1106...

Propane's tale of the tape.(VIEW POINT)(Editorial)
May 1, 2005... The American Petroleum Institute reports that nationwide retail sales of propane--excluding chemical use--in 2003 was 11.8 billion gallons, a 1.1 percent drop-off from 2002 sales. Top propane retail sales by state for combined residential,...

In the know.
May 1, 2005... Supply Planning Survey We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about supply planning. Of those polled, more than 10 percent responded. Here is what retailers had to say: Outcomes: ...

Propane master limited partnership comparison.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)(Illustration)
May 1, 2005... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Yield Ended (4/13/05) AmeriGas APU Dec $29.86 $2.20 ...

Propane MLP price history.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)
May 1, 2005... 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 and A.G. Edwards &...

Upcoming events.
May 1, 2005... * June 1-3 Louisiana Propane Gas Association summer convention at The Bluffs in St. Francisville, LA. For details, contact Jordan Black at 225-763-8922 or jblack@creative.brcoxmail.com. * June 2,3 Propane Education & Research Council...

Full plates lead to stop and go safety.(SAFETY FIRST)(Column)
May 1, 2005... While attending the Southeastern Trade Show, I had dinner with some safety friends at a unique, all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbeque restaurant. This place was Atkins diet heaven. They serve 15 different kinds of barbequed meat on skewers...

Linear thinking in a cyclical world.(BUSINESS MATTERS)(Column)
May 1, 2005... Many of us incorrectly view the world as neat, clean and predictable. We often will take bits of information and conclude in our minds that a particular trend will continue for years to come. For instance, if it takes you 20 minutes in...

Stepping up highway safety.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
May 1, 2005... Commercial motor vehicle highway safety should become the next major state traffic initiative, the U.S. House of Representatives has decreed. It will get the same attention as drunk driving and seatbelt use if a House-passed transportation bill...

Propane to be $1.55 per gallon.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
May 1, 2005... The Representative Average Unit Cost of propane should be $1.55 a gallon for use in consumer products, the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy decreed. Manufacturers use the figure in product labeling.

Tax credits for efficient energy.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
May 1, 2005... Rep. Jim Nussle (R-IA) introduced the Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act, which would create tax credits for manufacturers who make energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines. The Ways & Means Committee gets the bill.

Homeowner credits.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
May 1, 2005... Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) introduced the Save America's Valuable Energy Resources Act of 2005 to allow tax credits of up to $2,000 for homeowners making energy efficiency improvements and to builders of new homes and commercial properties of up...

Benefits for seniors.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
May 1, 2005... Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has introduced the Home Energy Assistance Targeted for Seniors Act (HR. 1210) to qualify any household below 150 percent of the poverty line (about $20,000) for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits.

Hazardous materials regulations.(revised by Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration wants to adopt the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods as part of its Hazardous Materials Regulations concerning cylinders and multiple-element gas...

New products go to extremes in the highly competitive grill industry.
May 1, 2005... Hotter. Cooler. Bigger. Smaller. Fire and water, too. Not to mention ice. In many ways, barbecue grills seem to be moving to extremes for 2005, or combining what may seem--at least at first--to be conflicting elements. But some 15 million...

These barbecues might get your showroom cookin'.
May 1, 2005... Looking for the right LP gas grills to sell? You have a wide variety from which to choose. New barbecue grills based on innovative technology, ever-larger premium grills and a proliferation of small portables for the 2005 grilling season were...

Accessories complement grill sales.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... Grilling accessories and other backyard items to enhance the outdoor kitchen may have even better markups and profit margins than the grills themselves. Propane marketers who already carries a line of grills may also want to consider some of...

Ready for 'take off': propane industry could benefit from new FAA campaign to reduce pollution from motor fuel engines at commercial airports.
May 1, 2005... A new nationwide campaign to reduce air pollution at airports offers financial incentives to convert ground transportation fleets to run on alternative fuels--including propane. The Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program is a Federal...

Convention raises $50,000 for industry scholarships.(ATLANTA, GEORGIA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... More than 3,600 people visited the National Propane Gas Association's 55th Southeastern Convention and International Exposition and helped to raise more than $50,000 for industry scholarships. The annual convention, which opened April 2,...

Residential propane costs predicted to rise 26% in 2005.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The U.S. Department of Energy has published its forecast of average costs of residential energy sources for 2005--with a prediction that propane will rise 26 percent over 2004 totals. Kerosene had the highest increase at 42.8 percent,...

New Mexico proposes regulating propane prices.(SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO)
May 1, 2005... The New Mexico Propane Gas Association is protesting a bill aimed at regulating propane prices in New Mexico. The proposal would amend the state's Public Utility Act to include the sale and distribution of propane. The change would allow...

Limited liability bills pass in Georgia, 4 other states.(ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
May 1, 2005... The Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill in March offering propane providers limited liability for dealers when there's an accident. The bill--supported by the Georgia Propane Gas Association--gives propane providers immunity...

March sets near-record propane stock draw down.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Unseasonably cold weather and strong demand for petrochemical feedstock fueled the second-highest-ever stockdraw for March, setting inventory levels at 26.8 million barrels as of April 1, according to the federal government. The U.S....

PERC, clean cities to fund propane engine development.(Propane Education & Research Council )(Department of Energy Clean Cities )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council and the Department of Energy Clean Cities have developed a program that provides funds for propane engine development projects. The partnership is designed to help create an opportunity for the...

Texas Railroad Commission helps upgrade forklifts.(Briggs Equipment )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Texas Railroad Commission presented a $133,830 grant in March to Dallas-based Briggs Equipment as part of a $1 million statewide program to assist companies in the upgrade of their forklifts and reduce harmful emissions. With the...

HPBA: 2005 grill shipment to rise 25 percent.(Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association predicts the shipment of grills for 2005 will top 15 million--up from 14.4 million in 2004. The association estimates the total revenues from grills, equipment and related accessories will be more...

Agriculture cost estimator available from PERC.
May 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council announces that a new agriculture cost estimator is now available to assist agriculture customers. The pocket-size Agriculture Cost Estimator slide rule allows customers to compare the cost of using...

PERC funds training grants, development project.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council approved more than $450,000 in grants and more than $1.5 million in state rebates at its April 8 meeting. The grants included $174,500 to pay for phase 7 of the Propane Emergencies handbook and...

Blossman acquires assets of Virginia Propane Services.(BEDFORD, VIRGINIA)
May 1, 2005... Blossman Gas Inc. has acquired the assets of Virginia Propane Services Inc., of Bedford, Va., and its related company, Bedford Heating & Air Conditioning. Virginia Propane owner Aubrey Burnette will remain with Blossman Gas as manager of...

Feds to loan $50 million more for emergency funds.(Department of Health and Human Services )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an additional $50 million in emergency funds in March to assist low-income families in paying their energy bills. The funds are in addition to the $1.6 million already distributed...

GEM gas fireplaces pose potential hazard.
May 1, 2005... Hearth & Home Technologies is warning consumers to stop using the Heat & Glo GEM 36 and GEM 42 gas fireplaces sold since July 2002 because of a potential safety hazard. Under certain conditions, the fireplaces can accumulate gas prior to...

Court suspends D.C. hazmat ban at last minute.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... One day before its implementation, the U.S. Court of Appeals temporarily barred the District of Columbia government from enforcing its new law restricting hazardous materials shipments through the city. The law was scheduled to take effect...

Amthor Welding introduces vehicle aftermarket service.(WALDEN, NEW YORK)
May 1, 2005... Amthor Welding is offering a new business that will fully customize vehicles from the rims and tires to seats and stereos. The family-owned tank truck manufacturer is launching Amthor AutoWorx to provide "one-stop shopping" for installation...

Relief agency testing propane stoves for tsunami victims.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is testing propane stoves in temporary tent shelters in Sri Lanka as part of its tsunami relief efforts. Shell Gas Lanka Limited donated 20 LP gas packages, each with a single burner free-standing stove, 2.3...

BrassCraft wins praise for gas connector.(Home Safety Awards from Home Safety Council )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Home Safety Council has awarded BrassCraft a commendation seal for safety innovation for its Safety+PLUS Advantage gas connector. The connector features a ProCoat corrosion-resistant coating and an automatic gas shut-off. It is one of...

Energy Guys win Washington TV advertising awards.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
May 1, 2005... The Energy Guys, who humorously debate the merits of propane versus electricity in a series of television commercials, have won top honors at the 2005 ADDY awards, including a gold award for the year's best television campaign. The...

Fire hazards prompt recall of two portable gas heaters.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling two portable heaters. Cleveland-based Mr. Heater Inc. is recalling 55,000 "Big Buddy" and "Tough Buddy" portable propane heaters. The valve on model number MH18B heaters sold from...

Milwaukee Valve consolidates, moves to suburb.(Milwaukee Valve Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... After more than 100 years of operation on Milwaukee's near-south side, Milwaukee Valve has consolidated its operations and relocated to the suburb of New Berlin, Wisc. The company also moved its operations from Windsor, Wisc., to the New...

Gas flowmeter.
May 1, 2005... Liqua-Tech Corp. announces that it has redesigned its gas flowmeter. By switching to a nickel bellows, the Liqua-Tech flowmeter is capable of monitoring not only propane, but also many other gases including ammonia and the more...

Fleet management device.
May 1, 2005... GEOCOMtms offers a new generation of real-time fleet management technology with its wireless A.MAZE suite. The software allows drivers to modify trips on the fly to respond to incoming customer requests or other conditions. It can support a...

Radio earmuffs.
May 1, 2005... Bilsom has upgraded its Radio and Electo radio earmuffs to include both AM and FM capability. The earmuffs--available in both headband and cap-mounted versions--feature an external switch for users to select the desired frequency band. The...

Gas stove.(Hearth & Home Technologies wins Vesta Awards )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Heat & Glo and Heatilator, brands of Hearth & Home Technologies, captured five Vesta Awards at the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association's 2005 EXPO in Atlanta, including Best-in-Show for Heat & Glo's Paloma freestanding gas stove. The...

Stationary pump.
May 1, 2005... Corken Inc. has a 4-inch stationary pump designed to shorten fill times for multiple bobtail loading of LPG and NH3. The Z4500 is rated for 309 gpm at 50 psid and 640 RPM, with a maximum rating of 800 RPM for increased capacity. For...

Bypass valve.
May 1, 2005... Corken Inc. offers a 2-in. bypass valve for use with bobtails, transport and stationary loading and unloading of LPG, NH3 and other light liquids. The ZV200 is a low-pressure; build-up bypass valve designed for applications requiring protection...

Load cell signal conditioner.
May 1, 2005... Sensor System Solutions Inc. has designed a load cell signal conditioner that combines the functions of a load cell calibrator, weight indicator, signal conditioner and wireless transceiver. The Model 3001 (ISAC-1) unit can be retrofitted...

Gas storage guide.
May 1, 2005... National Fire Protection Association has published a new Pocket Guide to Fuel Gas Storage and Use for installers. The 3 x 5-in. book includes information on fuel gas properties, storage and applications. The book, which costs $27, draws on...

Gas control valve.
May 1, 2005... Skytech Products Group has won a Vesta Award for innovation in product design and technology at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association's 2005 EXPO at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in February. Skytech won the award in the...

Urea letdown valve.
May 1, 2005... Flowserve Corp. has designed a Urea Letdown Valve designed to tolerate the high-pressure drops and crystallization associated with the letdown process in urea production of many chemical processing operations. The valve has double top-stem...

Liquid-level sensor.
May 1, 2005... MTS Sensors Division offers the Model USTD II liquid-level sensor for leak detection and inventory monitoring of underground storage tanks. The sensor, which can sense inventory level, interface level and temperature measurement, is...

Portable gas detection system.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... MSA Instrument Division's Galaxy Automated Test System tests instruments without the user touching any buttons. The instrument is placed on the test stand, and the Galaxy System goes to work without any computer, controller or network...

Tank cover.
May 1, 2005... Tank Tops offers a cover system to camouflage LP gas tanks to blend with the environment. The covers, available in forest green, brown, tan or gray, are fade-resistant and rot- and mildew-proof. They also provide high-margin revenue and...

Valve positioner.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Flowserve Corp. has added FOUNDATION Fieldbus support to its PMV D3 digital valve positioner and gained ATEX EEX approval as an explosion-proof device. The valve positioner is designed to control linear and rotary control valves in oil and...

Copper tubing.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Kamco Products introduces 1-in. Type L 60- and 100-foot coils of its polyethylene-coated copper tubing. Designed for pool heaters, larger propane heaters and high-capacity furnaces and barbeques, the one-inch size more than doubles the Btu...

Fireplace remote controls.(PRODUCTS)
May 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...

Adversity breeds cooperation.(California Air Resources Board )
May 1, 2005... In January of 2003, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a proposal aimed at ensuring that most California engine-powered forklifts would be eliminated and replaced by electric forklifts, starting in 2005. This was, to put it...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
May 1, 2005... NICE LIGHTS!... AND GET A LOAD OF THOSE INFRARED BURNERS!... THAT IS SO HOT! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Liberty propane.(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Liberty Propane has named Boyd H. McGathey as its chief operating officer. He previously served as vice president-chief operating officer for the eastern U.S. division and senior vice president-chief information officer at Ferrellgas, where he...

Energy Transfer Partners.(appoints R.C. Mills )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... R.C. Mills has been named president of Energy Transfer Partners. Mills has more than 40 years of experience in the propane industry, having joined Heritage, a division of Energy Transfer Partners, in 1991 as executive vice president and...

Heritage Propane.(appoints David A. Onsgard )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Heritage Propane, a division of Energy Transfer Partners, announces the appointment of David A. Onsgard as its acquisition consultant. Onsgard has a lengthy career in the propane industry, beginning with a market development position with...

Herring Gas.(promoted Robert E. Kimbrough)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Herring Gas Co. has promoted Robert E. Kimbrough as its chief executive officer. He replaces Edward G. Herring, who will retain his position of chairman of the board. Kimbrough joined the company in 2001 as vice president of...

LP Gas Magazine.(appointed Troy Sympson)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Troy Sympson has joined LP Gas Magazine as an associate editor. Sympson began his journalism career as a reporter with the Town Crier Newspapers in Youngstown, Ohio. He later became managing editor, with responsibility for all content...

JARCO.(founder Casey Jarvis has converted his ownership to his daughter Nancy Coop)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Bobtail manufacturer JARCO Inc. changes ownership, but will stay in the family. Company founder Casey Jarvis has entered into a stock purchase agreement to transfer ownership to his daughter, Nancy Coop. The company, which has fabricated...

Crowcon Detection Instruments.(People)
May 1, 2005... Crowcon Detection Instruments USA has appointed Scott Trotman as its national sales manager. Trotman previously worked at Zellweger Analytics, where he served numerous management positions including Canadian sales manager and east coast...

SolArc.(People)
May 1, 2005... SolArc Inc. announces the hiring of Kenneth Kushnir as its vice president of professional services. Kushnir has spent nearly 20 years in various positions of Accenture. His previous experience includes work in both strategic and service-based...