LP/Gas articles from November 2004

LP/Gas archives from November 2004

Driven to succeed: the streets of San Antonio showcase the potential for propane-powered vehicles.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... As the nation's leading producer and consumer of propane, the state of Texas has always been at the forefront of incorporating fuel use into the daily routine. Fifty years ago, San Antonio was one of three major U.S. cities that turned to...

Fair share payments.(View Point)(National Propane Gas Association revised structure for propane markets)(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Some equipment and service providers are crying foul over a new formula to determine how much they must pay to be members of the National Propane Gas Association. NPGA recently changed its dues structure for the 12 categories of companies...

Supply planning.(In The Know)
November 1, 2004... Before the 2004 Propane Marketing & Operations Forum in August, Propane Resources surveyed attendees to identify which issues needed to be addressed during the "2004-05 Supply Planning" Session. Outcomes: The most obvious issue is that...

Propane master limited partnership comparison.(LP/Gas Stock Index)
November 1, 2004... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (10/13/04) AmeriGas APU June $29.70 $2.20 Energy...

Propane MLP price history.(LP/Gas Stock Index)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Historic price index Propane stock price history calculated by averaging unweighted prices for AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, Heritage, Inergy, Star Gas and Suburban master limited partnerships. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Sources: Public information and...

Weather watch.
November 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heating degree days by state State September Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 7 -8 2740...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... * Nov. 16-17 National Propane Gas Association/Propane Education & Research Council conference of state association executives in Washington, D.C. For details, contact Darlene Hawk at 202-466-7200. * Dec. 9-10 Propane Education & Research...

Scary stories highlight vulnerabilities.(Safety First)(propane accidents)
November 1, 2004... I remember listening to ghost stories in front of a roaring campfire as a young boy. We would sit in wide-eyed wonder waiting quietly for that time when one scream, shriek or giggle would send us all two steps back in panic. My aunt loved...

Little things can tip change in your favor.(Business Matters)(Book Review)
November 1, 2004... In his book "The Tipping Point," Malcolm Gladwell examines the phenomenon of sudden unlikely events that occur all at once--labeled "tipping points." It is his premise that--more often--change occurs suddenly rather than gradually. The critical...

Final tax bill drops propane incentives.(Washington Report)
November 1, 2004... In a flurry of last-minute negotiations before Congress broke for the election season, tax breaks to encourage propane use were dropped from the final tax bill. Congress approved the American Job Creation Act of 2004 without billions of...

Hurricane-damaged pipelines.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Research & Special Programs Administration's warning)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Research & Special Programs Administration issued an advisory bulletin warning of possible pipeline damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. The storm damaged lines in several Gulf states. Operators...

Inventory cushion building.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... September set a record for the biggest build in propane inventories, Energy Information Administration reported. The month saw an increase of 8.6 million barrels, almost twice the 34-year-old record of 4.6 million. Since April, more than 40...

Star Gas may face bankruptcy.(Stamford, Connecticut)
November 1, 2004... Publicly held Star Gas Partners LP announced Oct. 18 that it has suspended distributions on its common partnership units and warned it may have to seek bankruptcy protection unless it can arrange new financing for its Petro heating oil unit....

Oil prices to push propane heating cost higher.(Washington, D.C.)
November 1, 2004... Americans who heat their homes with propane will pay 22 percent more this winter than last, compared with increases of 15 percent for natural gas and 28 percent for heating oil, according to government projections. The average heating bill...

TSA plans to issue hazmat driver fingerprint rules.(Las Vegas, Nevada)
November 1, 2004... The Transportation Security Administration says it plans to issue by the end of October rules governing how it will conduct fingerprint background checks on commercial drivers seeking or renewing hazardous materials endorsements. In a...

PERC approves $5.3 million for electronic CETP.(Yosemite National Park)(Propane Education & Research Council, Certified Employee Training Program)
November 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council has approved funding to begin the development of an electronic version of its Certified Employee Training Program (CETP). Council last month agreed to spend $5.3 million over two years to create an...

PERC to absorb operations of Propane Vehicle Council.(Yosemite National Park)(Propane Education & Research Council merges with Propane Vehicle Council)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council is absorbing the operations of the Propane Vehicle Council. Citing operational inefficiencies and a lack of resources with PVC as a separate entity, a PERC task force recommended that two of its...

Marketers advised to follow hours-of-service rules.(Las Vegas)
November 1, 2004... Propane marketers should abide by the new hours-of-service rules that went into effect Jan. 4, 2004, while Congress sorts out what the National Propane Gas Association calls a contentious highway reauthorization bill. The clarification...

Limited liability legislation pursued in Utah.(Salt Lake City, Utah)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Propane retailers in Utah are working to reduce litigation prompted by incidents caused by a consumer who alters a propane system or equipment without notifying the propane supplier. The Rocky Mountain Propane Association has retained...

Lower auto emissions required for California sales.(Sacramento, California)
November 1, 2004... Cars, SUVs and pickup trucks sold in California must have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by model year 2009 under a new regulation approved by the California Air Resources Board. The regulation will mean an average 22 percent reduction of...

NPGA secures renewal of farm cart exemption.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Propane may continue to be carried in cargo tank vehicles over public roads for agricultural purposes under a renewed exemption by the Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration. The exemption, which has...

CARB proposes more stringent forklift engine regulations.(Sacramento, California)(California Air Resources Board )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The California Air Resources Board is proposing that companies with large fleets of non-diesel, off-road, large spark ignition (LSI) engines meet more stringent fleet average emission levels than companies with smaller fleets. The board is...

NGL Supply sells majority interest to NGL Holdings.(Tulsa, Oklahoma)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Sowood Commodity Partners Fund II has purchased a majority interest in NGL Supply through its wholly owned subsidiary, NGL Holdings Inc. The fund is managed by Sowood Capital Management LP, a new investment management company with more than...

NPGA petitions for small business parity with heating oil.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The National Propane Gas Association is asking the Small Business Administration to adjust the level at which propane businesses can qualify for its protections. Propane businesses must have annual receipts of $6 million or less to qualify...

Propane suppliers guide: An expanded directory of the propane industry's top product sources.(Suppliers Guide)(Directory)
November 1, 2004... AmeriGas Propane 13105 Northwest Freeway, Suite 500 Houston, TX 77040 Phone: 281-552-4000 Fax: 281-552-4905 E-mail: Bartels@Amerigas.com Corporate Address: P. O. Box 965 Valley Forge, PA 19482 Phone:...

Propane mower.(Product introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Jacobsen has introduced its working prototype of a BOB-CAT ZT-200 Series zero-turn mower powered by a propane engine from Generac Power Systems. The Generac gaseous alternative power system provides an air-cooled engine fueled by two...

Vented logs.(Product introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Monessen Hearth Systems is introducing several new log sizes and styles to its vented-log line. The new 36-inch log and designer "see thru" has been added to the VWF Series in the Massive Oak style. The Split Pine and the Split River Oak...

Gas furnaces.(Product introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... HEIL Heating & Cooling Products presents a new line of 80 percent AFUE Heil brand QuietComfort VS 80 gas furnaces. At 40 inches tall, the QuietComfort VS 80 furnaces offer easy installation. They also feature an International Comfort...

Compact gas furnace.(Product enhancement)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Tempstar Heating and Cooling Products has redesigned its SmartComfort VS 90 variable speed, two-stage gas furnace to offer new features. With its multi-position compact design, the furnace now offers additional ease of installation and...

High-traction footwear.(Product introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Jordan David introduces its redesigned Grips High Traction Footwear with improved slip resistance in virtually all slick areas, including oil, grease, free-standing water and ice. The company says Grips will reduce slips and falls by 40 to...

Gas-detection system brochure.(servive introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Sensidyne Inc. has released a new 16-page brochure that describes the company's complete line of system components for detecting a wide range of toxic and combustible gases at fixed installations. It also includes detail specifications on...

Gaseous fuel injector.(Products introduction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Quantum introduces a gaseous fuel injector designed to work with natural gas, propane and hydrogen in internal combustion engines and fuel cell applications. The direct-replacement injector is designed to achieve more than 500 million...

Liftgate.(Products enhancement)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Theiman Tailgates Inc. has increased the lift capacity of its Toplifter series liftgate TT-15. The rating had been limited to 1,000 lbs., but it has now been raised to a 1,500-lb. lift capacity. With its Nitrotec pins and Polylube bushings...

Superior Propane.(People)(David R. Eastin as its new president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Superior Propane, a division of Superior Plus Inc., has named David R. Eastin as its new president. Eastin, who has nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, recently served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for...

SolArc Inc.(People)(Scott Chamberlain as its chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SolArc Inc. has named Scott Chamberlain as its chief financial officer. He previously worked for Dallas-based Fuego, a business process management software company, where he was chief financial officer. He also was the chief financial officer...

Marshall Gas Controls.(People)(Mike Larson promoted to senior vice president )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Mike Larson has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Marshall Gas Controls, a division of the S.H. Leggitt Co. Larson joined the company in 1988 as vice president of corporate development. He has also previously...

AmeriGas Propane.(People)(William J. Stanczak appointed)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... AmeriGas Propane Inc. has named William J. Stanczak as its controller and chief accounting officer. Stanczak, who will replace Richard R. Eynon, joined UGI Corp., parent of Amerigas Propane, in 1979 as an auditor. Eynon returns to UGI as...

Harsco GasServ.(People)(Allen J. (Jeff) Clay III appointed as sales manager)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Harsco GasServ has appointed Allen J. (Jeff) Clay III as its southern regional sales manager. Clay will be responsible for selling Taylor-Wharton high pressure and acetylene cylinders, cryogenic storage and dispensing cylinders and packaged...

New Jersey Propane Gas Association.(People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The New Jersey Propane Gas Association has named Larry Horowitz as its recipient of the Howard Card Safety Award. Horowitz, of Perrineville, N.J., is vice president of the H&H Gas and Appliance Corp. in Windsor, N.J. He previously served as...

Oklahoma Safety Equipment.(People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co. has hired Carol Griffith to serve as its vice president of sales and marketing. Griffith will be responsible for the management of the company's worldwide sales and marketing initiatives. She joins Oseco after...

Focusing on propane's future.(Let's Talk)(Texas Propane Technology Forum of Southwest Research Institute )
November 1, 2004... Keynoting the recent second annual Texas Propane Technology Forum at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio was my first real opportunity to look closely at the propane industry's research and development programs. I was impressed...

Gas pains.(Let's Talk)
November 1, 2004... *? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] $! THEY DON'T CALL IT "CRUDE" FOR NOTHING