LP/Gas articles from October 2004

LP/Gas archives from October 2004

A glimpse at tomorrow.(View Point)(Texas Propane Technology Forum)(Editorial)
October 1, 2004... They say everything is bigger in Texas, and now that attribute applies to the annual Texas Propane Technology Forum as well. The program is designed to to showcase innovative technologies for propane marketers and large consumers, and to...

Marketing.(In The Know)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Before the 2004 Propane Marketing & Operations Forum, Propane Resources surveyed attendees to identify what issues needed to be addressed during the session on "Marketing for Growth." Outcomes: The most commonly used advertising media are...

LP/Gas stock index.(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distri- Yield Ended (9/10/04) bution AmeriGas APU June $29.03 $2.20 ...

Propane MLP price history.(Brief Article)
October 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. Sources: Public information and A.G. Edwards & Sons,...

Heating degree days by state.(Weather Watch)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Heating degree days by state State August Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 3 3 2752 -102 Alaska ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
October 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...

Measuring the value of safety.(Safety First)(propane industry)
October 1, 2004... In the movie Caddy Shack, greens keeper Karl entertains the young caddies with his story of getting "stiffed" after carrying a loop for the Dalai Lama. "I said 'Hey, Dalai--Mr. Lama, how about a little something for the effort?" He replied...

Higher steel prices impacting ROI.(Business Matters)
October 1, 2004... During 2002, the rising world price of steel began to show up in the higher cost of new propane tanks. Domestic tanks are by far the largest asset class in our industry, representing the bulk of the capital expenditures necessary to build or...

GAO pans pipeline safety efforts.(Washington Report)(Government Accountability Office, Office of Pipeline Safety )
October 1, 2004... Efforts to improve pipeline safety have failed to reduce the number of serious accidents, and the Office of Pipeline Safety hasn't established effective goals or measure success, according to the Government Accountability Office (formerly the...

On-board recording devices.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to issue regulations on the use of on-board recording devices to document compliance with federal hours-of-service rules. FMCSA is seeking comments on the matter through Nov. 30.

Driver background checks.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Transportation Security Agency has delayed the compliance date for rules on background checks for applicants seeking hazmat endorsements on commercial drivers licenses. Initially slated to begin last April, states won't have to require TSA...

Is it time to sell? If you are ready to pull the trigger on the right deal, the time may be right to sell your propane business.(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... You may lack family members willing to line-up in a succession plan. Or perhaps you've had your fill of coping with rocketing insurance costs, government regulations and endless days topped off by late-night telephone calls from empty...

Steeled for success: plastic cylinders poised for U.S. market; propane industry hedges on impact.
October 1, 2004... Composite cylinders are on the verge of breaking into the U.S. market, but the propane industry isn't exactly steeling itself for the impact. The cylinders offer a host of advantages over the traditional steel--including a lighter weight,...

New overtime regulations face challenge by Congress.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Propane businesses and their employees are studying how they will be affected by new overtime rules that took effect Aug. 23, but Congress is debating whether they should remain in place. The Labor Department regulations raised the annual...

Federal hazmat driver rule delayed until Jan. 31.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has delayed implementation of a rule to prohibit states from allowing drivers to carry hazardous materials before they have been cleared by the Transportation Security Administration. The FMCSA...

FMCSA seeks to stay court's hours of service ruling.(Washington, D.C.)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The legal battle over the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's changes to the hours-of-service rules continues. The agency is asking for a stay in the July decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals that overturned the proposed new...

Worthington Industries to purchase cylinder manufacturer.(Columbus, Ohio)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Worthington Industries has signed an agreement to purchase the propane and specialty gas cylinder assets of Western Industries Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wis., for $64.5 million in cash. Western's Propane & Specialty Cylinder Group...

Polyamide offers pipe installers a new plastic option.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Beginning with the 2004 edition of NFPA 58, installers will now have an option when choosing plastic pipe. The National Propane Gas Association notes that a new material called polyamide also is permitted as long as it also conforms to the...

Manual helps complete fire safety analysis.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A new manual is available to members of the propane industry who must complete a written fire safety analysis. The Fire Safety Analysis Manual, funded by the Propane Education & Research Council and produced by a National Propane Gas...

New NPGA documents offer storm safety advice.(Washington, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The rash of hurricanes this year in the southeastern United States has prompted the National Propane Gas Association to release two documents. "A Storm Strikes: Safety Tips for Propane Consumers Affected by Storm or Flood Disasters" offers...

Caterpillar launches new off-road vehicles.(Peoria, Illinois)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Caterpillar Inc. has developed a line of EPA-certified off-road engines featuring a technology that permits fuel economy and lower emissions and an advanced air system for the combustion chamber. Seven engine models were certified in July...

Forklift retrofit funds, regulator rebates available.(Sacramento, California)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Western Propane Gas Association reminds members that funds are available to cover the retrofitting of forklifts. Pending California Air Resources Board forklift regulations require that forklift models from 2001 and older be retrofitted,...

SolArc relocates offices to Houston, plans expansion.(Houston, Texas)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... SolArc Inc., a provider of supply and trade management solutions for energy companies, has moved its headquarters to Houston from Tulsa, Okla. The new headquarters opened with 30 employees, and it expects to create as many as 200 new jobs...

Southeastern Energy Partners buys Myrtle Beach-area retailer.(Atlanta, Georgia)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Southeastern Energy Partners has acquired the assets of Ocean Drive Gas and Appliance of Myrtle Beach, S.C. With more than 4,000 customers, Ocean Drive, which has been in business since 1946, is the largest independent propane marketer in...

Energy Transfer Partners buys Boland Energy.(Dallas, Texas)
October 1, 2004... Energy Transfer Partners has acquired the assets of Boland Energy of Beaufort, Mo. Boland Energy, which was owned and operated by Terry and Joan Boland, delivers about 4.8 million gallons annually to rural areas west of St. Louis. Terry...

Paraco Gas acquires two AmeriGas locations.(Purchase, New York)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Paraco Gas Corp. of Purchase, N.Y., has acquired two locations from AmeriGas in New Hyde Park and Shokan, N.Y. The acquisition involves about 1.3 million gallons and includes 2,500 residential, commercial and forklift customers. New Hyde...

Trinity names new domestic vessel distributor.(Dallas, Texas)(LPG & NH3 Supply Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... LPG & NH3 Supply Inc. has become a new distributor for Trinity Industries Inc.'s LPG Division. The supplier will represent Trinity's line of domestic vessels in Minnesota and Wisconsin. To reach the company, visit www.lpgandnh3supply.com or...

A&D Propane launches propane industry Web site.(Houston, Texas)(A and D Propane Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A & D Propane Inc. is launching a new, free service for the propane and LPG industry through its newlyl created PropaneSearch.com Web site. Propane equipment and service suppliers and manufacturers can list their Web sites for free on the...

Amthor Inc. upgrades parts department, parts line.(Walden, New York)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Tank manufacturer Amthor Inc. has upgraded its New York facility. The company has relocated its parts department to the main building, which was renovated this year. The new parts department now has a mini showroom for customers. The...

PERC to run ads during fall NASCAR races.(Washington, D.C.)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council will sponsor NASCAR's fall season. Propane-related advertisements will air on NBC and TNT during NASCAR races through Nov. 20. The "PROPANE Exceptional Energy" logo will be visible during in-car camera...

Table-top LPG exhibit available for regional farm shows.(Washington, D.C.)
October 1, 2004... The Propane Education & Research Council is making a table-top version of its agriculture exhibit available for use at state and regional farm shows. The exhibit shows how propane is used in agriculture, including poultry house sanitation,...

National safety analysis seeks public comment.(Washington, D.C.)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to review how the agency can best monitor and assess motor carriers and ensure compliance with regulations. The Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 Initiative will include a series of...

Portable heater.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Burners Inc. offers its S200 HP heater, which puts out 200,000 Btus from a propane-fueled burner that sits eight inches off the floor. The heavy-duty unit does not have a pilot orifice to clog. The spark ignition and 10-foot hose/regulator...

Gas furnace.(Products)
October 1, 2004... International Comfort Products presents the two-stage, high efficiency Heil brand QuietComfort IIS 90 gas furnace. The redesigned furnace is a 40-inch, low-profile model offering easier installation and serviceability. The mosel comes with...

Propane tank coating.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Liberty Tank & Vessels has a new Ever-Last tank coating that is designed to provide protection from ultraviolet light damage and corrosion or rust. The material is a thermoplastic polyethylene powder coating applied to Liberty Tank &...

Connectors.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Posi-Products offers a line of connectors designed to tap hot leads without crimping, splicing or cutting wires. The Posi-Taps strip the accessory leads and are hand-tightened on the other end for a secure connection that will not vibrate...

Vent-free log set.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Empire Comfort Systems Inc. presents vent-free log sets with rugged refractory concrete logs molded with deeply detailed bark. The sets come in 18-, 24- and 30-inch sets and are rated at 30,000 to 40,000 Btus. The vent-free burner is...

Thread sealants.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Fluoramics Inc. announces its thread sealants have received BAM certification from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Berlin, Germany. The products, Formula-8 and Lox-8 paste and Lox-8 grease, have been certified...

Fixed gas detectors.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Crowcon Detection Instruments offers new Xgard gas detectors with a universal junction box and replacement sensors that plug in. The two-year sensor also is available now for oxygen monitoring, and it can cover combustible and toxic...

Gas logs.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Vanguard Vent-Free Gas Log Heaters presents its new Blaze 'N' Glow line of vent-free gas logs. The new line heats up to 1,200 square feet with 99.9 percent heating efficiency. Sets are available in 18-, 24-, and 30-inch sizes with remote...

Actuator line warranty.(Products)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Flowserve Corp. is now supporting its Limitorque SMB electric actuator line with a 10-year standard warranty. The limited warranty offers OEM-guaranteed spare parts and Flowserve field and shop maintenance, and only applies to commercial...

Blueprint for acquisitions.(Let's Talk)
October 1, 2004... Have you ever considered what it takes to buy or sell a business? For most companies, an acquisition or sale can seem like the people involved are on a secret mission. Everything is classified and confidential, and only a select few are in the...

Gas pains.(Let's Talk)
October 1, 2004... WE'RE THE SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR SLANDER AND WE APPROVED THIS LIE DURING ELECTION YEARS, BEN IS ABLE TO HEAT HIS HOME WITH STEAM HEAT. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]