LP/Gas articles from October 2008

LP/Gas archives from October 2008

And the survey says ... NPGA continues to gather information for its proposed insurance program.(Opening Delivery)
October 1, 2008... The National Propane Gas Association is on a mission, a fact-finding mission. In May, NPGA mailed surveys to member companies seeking information that will help further a proposed association-endorsed commercial liability insurance...

Ferrell International to close after 20 years.
October 1, 2008... Ferrell International, the London-based LPG trading company created 20 years ago, is closing, Jim Ferrell announced. "Times have changed, with high prices and high volatility making it difficult for a pure trading company to function,"...

Feedback favorable on MAPL lawsuit.
October 1, 2008... An administrative law judge issued a 467-page initial decision in the lawsuit filed by NPGA and five other propane industry participants claiming unjust and unreasonable rate increases on the MAPL pipeline. Although counsel is continuing to...

Bush to release LIHEAP funds to assist families this winter.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
October 1, 2008... The Bush administration plans to release $121 million in emergency relief funds to help low-income families pay their home-heating bills this winter, the Associated Press reported Sept. 17. Officials said $96 million would be distributed...

LP/Gas stock index.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
October 1, 2008... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (9/18/08) AmeriGas APU ...

Weather-watch.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2008... Weather-Watch [HEATING DEGREE DAYS BY STATE] DEVIATION DEVIATION FROM LAST 12 FROM STATE AUGUST NORM MONTHS NORM Alabama ...

NPGA withdraws DHS lawsuit.(National Propane Gas Association)(Department of Homeland Security)(Survey)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Based on favorable survey results on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) regulations, the NPGA Executive Committee has voted to withdraw the association's lawsuit. NPGA had...

Gas pains.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2008... AT LEAST HEATING SEASON IS ALIVE & WELL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

FERC delays Dixie changes.
October 1, 2008... Responding to protests from the propane industry, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) suspended for the maximum allowable time, until March 25, 2009, the effective date of the tariff changes proposed by Dixie Pipeline on July 25....

American Flame recalls fireplaces.
October 1, 2008... The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with American Flame Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., has announced a voluntary recall of about 12,000 fireplace gas valves. Consumers should stop using these recalled products immediately...

Letter to the editor.(Vital Signs)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... Thank you and LP Gas Magazine for shining the light of truth on the cylinder sleeve rust topic (September 2008). I am an independent propane retailer in the San Antonio market and we have seen several cylinders that show the effects of...

Cavagna North America.(PEOPLE)(Richard J. Darche has been appointed)(David S. Ellis has been appointed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Richard J. Darche has been named president of Cavagna North America. He has more than 35 years of experience in the LPG appliance and equipment business. After joining Cavagna in 1987, he has held various management positions, most recently as...

Midland Manufacturing.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... Michael Santangelo has been promoted to customer service supervisor at Midland Manufacturing, a division of OPW Fluid Transfer Group, specializing in railroad tank car safety valves. He will have the responsibility for all customer-service...

OPW Fueling Components.(PEOPLE)(Arthur Boroff has been appointed)(David Crouse has been appointed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Arthur Boroff has been named director of vapor recovery sales at OPW Fueling Components. Boroff will be responsible for the sales growth of OPW's vapor-recovery solutions worldwide. has 22 years of experience in the petroleum-equipment...

Taylor-Wharton International.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2008... Stuart R. Jara has been named vice president and general manager of Taylor-Wharton International's pressure vessel and cylinder division, Taylor-Wharton.

PERC fees.(IN THE KNOW)
October 1, 2008... Propane Resources surveyed 428 companies concerning state and national Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) fees- 42 companies responded. Here's what they had to say: Outcomes: PERC has been in existence since October of 1996....

AmeriGas acquires Wellington Oil & Gas.
October 1, 2008... AmeriGas Partners L.P. announced that its operating partnership has acquired all of the propane distribution assets of Wellington Oil & Gas Co. of Wellington, Mo. Wellington Oil & Gas serves about 3,500 customers.

Eastern acquires Limoges Oil & Propane.
October 1, 2008... Eastern Propane Gas Inc. has acquired Limoges Oil & Propane Inc. of Claremont, N.H. The Limoges acquisition enhances Eastern's home heating oil and propane service capabilities for a customer base of more than 85,000 homes and businesses...

Arkansas uses database for drivers' drug tests.
October 1, 2008... Nearly eight months after its creation, Arkansas' online alcohol and drug test database for commercial truck drivers is getting positive feedback. It's also being looked at as a possible model for developing a similar system for tracking...

PGAC launches auto propane conversion site.
October 1, 2008... The Propane Gas Association of Canada (PGAC) has launched its auto propane conversion Web site at www.propaneconversion. ca. This comprehensive source of information provides everything Canadian fleet managers need to know about choosing...

Events.(Vital Signs)(Liquefied petroleum gas industry)(Conference news)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... * NOV. 6-7 Staff Leadership Summit for state association executives and the staff of NPGA and PERC at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. For details, contact Darlene Hawk at dhawk@npga.org. * NOV. 12-14 Propane Engine Fuel Summit...

Enough! Energy competition, record LPG and steel prices have marketers looking to sell.(ACQUISITIONS)(Editorial)(Cover story)
October 1, 2008... Even the allure of an imminent heating season cannot offset mounting business pressures that have some propane marketers looking to cash out rather than dig in for a long, cold winter. Marketers say today's business climate is the most...

Passionate for propane: Sam McTier has spent more than 50 years in the industry, and at age 82 his love for his work still burns strong.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sam McTier is always there, always been there, everywhere. He is synonymous with the propane industry, the go-to source for anyone seeking information on an issue. McTier packs 50-plus years of industry knowledge...

Growth at speeds of capital: every new customer requires a new asset, which requires added capital.(Business Matters)
October 1, 2008... The retail propane industry is considered "capital intensive because, in order to gain a customer, we purchase and install an asset that we continue to own yet stays in place as long as we have that customer. That asset, the tank, is expensive...

Caution beyond code: the propane industry can get unfairly trapped by gray allegations.(SAFETY FIRST)
October 1, 2008... The process of achieving safe results is always a slippery slope. Many code requirements are well founded, rationally reasoned and well scrutinized for practical application. They are not minimum standards--they are the standards. The...

Mismatched parts pose risk: two employees injured at warehouse in incident involving forklift cylinder.(Legal Brief)
October 1, 2008... We recently resolved an industrial accident for a client on the East Coast that involved a propane cylinder used in a forklift application. The case resulted in injuries to two employees at a warehouse who worked for different employers. ...

Take aim at advertising: find your prospects and reach them with the right advertising medium.(Marketing In Motion)
October 1, 2008... Advertising should be a major part of your marketing plan and, for budget purposes, a vital part of your overall operating expense. I think of advertising as an investment instead of an expense. That investment will pay off if you take the time...

Energy electioneering: significant hurdle is crossed between Democrats, Republicans on drilling.(Washington Report)
October 1, 2008... The House Republicans' months-long chorus of "drill baby drill" paid off in political dividends when the Democrats passed an energy bill that included an expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling. House Democrats relented to the...

Gangway.(Product Showcase)
October 1, 2008... SafeRack LLC announces the redesigned SafeRack G4 Gangway. The G4 uses metal-stamping technology to create a stronger gangway that is lighter and smoother to operate. All SafeRack gangways have 90 shared parts that fold or unfold as the gangway...

Wireless calculator and data logger.(Product Showcase)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gas industry companies considering the pros and cons of switching to wireless monitoring of temperature conditions critical to both quality and energy costs can make more informed technology decisions with the...

Tube heaters.(Product Showcase)
October 1, 2008... A line of positive-pressure, low-intensity infrared tube heaters has been introduced by Space-Ray with a Tube Integrity Safety System (TISS) that provides additional safety for building owners. Available in natural gas and propane, the new PTS/...

Reels.(Product Showcase)
October 1, 2008... Coxreels has released new reel models in the heavy duty Truck Mount Series. The new models have an increased capacity of 75 feet of 3/4-inch I.D hose and 50 feet of 1-inch I.D hose. These new reels accompany the original heavy duty T-Series...