LP/Gas articles from September 2003

LP/Gas archives from September 2003

Government (in)action.(View Point)
September 1, 2003... Propane price spikes in two of the last three winters had unhappy constituents from the 4.6 million propane-dependent households chewing the ears of their Congressional representatives for help. In response, Congress last winter ordered the...

Marketing survey.(In The Know)
September 1, 2003... A marketing workshop was presented at our sixth annual Rural Energy Conference. This survey was an exercise that came out of the workshop. Sample: 60 surveys returned Regions Surveyed: All over U.S. Topic: How marketers find and...

LP/Gas stock index.(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Yield Ended (8/15/03) AmeriGas APU June $23.68 $2.20 9.3%...

Propane MLP Price History.(master limited partnerships)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] 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...

Weather watch.(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... Heating degree days by state State July Deviation Last 12 Deviation from months from norm norm Alabama 0 ...

Upcoming events.
September 1, 2003... * September 14-17 North Carolina Propane Gas Association convention at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. For details contact Jayne Simpkins at 919-781-7481. * September 18-19 Propane Education & Research Council meeting to...

Who are your safety stakeholders? Yesterday's incident is simply old news, and regret is a wasted emotion.(Safety First)
September 1, 2003... When I give a presentation I always list the stakeholders. That's because every presentation, regardless of topic, begins with understanding issues and being aware of all people and associations that have a stake in the process. On one...

When the company gets sold: what often separates very good companies from poor or mediocre companies is the interaction between managers and employees that happens at this level in the business.(Business Matters)
September 1, 2003... As the owners/operators of a small retail propane company neared retirement age, they chose to sell their business to a larger regional propane distributor. As is typical in this industry, the owners of the selling company were very active in...

Energy bill, budget cuts collide: while congress debates a major energy bill, it is simultaneously moving to cut funding for energy programs.(Washington Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Look for another contentious conference over energy legislation in Congress this fall. Rather than slug it out provision by provision on the Senate floor, the Senate has passed the same bill it approved last year. Sen. Energy & Natural...

LIHEAP funding.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Funding for the $2 billion-a-year Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program hasn't kept up with the increase in poor people who need it, Carolyn Drake, Washington director of the Southern States Energy Board told the House Education & the Work...

Hazmat regs OK'd.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(United States. Research and Special Programs Administration)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Research & Special Programs Administration has issued new final hazardous materials regulations to conform to international standards. It revised shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, etc. For details, see the July 31 Federal...

Pipeline safety dollars.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Pipeline Research Council International)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... RSPA has issued several research and development grants to improve pipeline safety. CC Technologies and the Pipeline Research Council International get $80,000 to develop guidelines to fight damage caused by hydrogen, coating disbondment and...

Clinton proposals dropped.(Briefly speaking: notes from Capitol Hill)(Bill Clinton)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has officially dropped some Clinton-era proposals, including a five-year-old plan to require FMCSA inspectors to follow the North American Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria. Another dropped plan...

Tax cuts: what's in it for you? The differences between federal and state rules will require separate records and calculations for the life of the property acquired.(Legal Ease)
September 1, 2003... Most of the news releases about the tax cuts enacted early this past summer have been devoted to tax cuts for individuals. We know individual tax rates have been cut and there are reductions in capital gains and dividend taxes. There are also...

To buy or not to buy: analysts wagering that infrastructure, supply issues could push price spikes.
September 1, 2003... Heading into the 2003-04 winter season, propane retailers and wholesalers have a lot to think about. Last winter may have put the propane industry on notice that demand is up dramatically, and the supply situation needs serious improvement to...

Tanking out: propane dealers still slow to increase onsite storage capacity.
September 1, 2003... Propane got a unique boost in visibility as a viable alternative fuel just in time for a rejuvenated debate by government officials for a national energy policy. Last month's massive power outage may have led to more backyard cookouts than...

Troubled All Star Gas secures $3 million interim financing.(Lebanon, Missouri)
September 1, 2003... All Star Gas Corp. has arranged $3 million in interim financing with its senior secured lenders to support operations and purchase product for the coming fall and winter season. All Star Gas, the nation's 16th largest propane retailer,...

PERC approves grants.(Washington, D.C.)(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Propane Education & Research Council has earmarked five of seven recently approved grants for itself, including $538,000 for its national advertising campaign and another $461,500 for the second phase of its Industry Programs Information...

DOT struggling to meet RIN demand.(Washington, D.C.)(Department of Transportation)(Requalifier Identification Numbers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A flood of applicants requesting Requalifier Identification Numbers is overwhelming the Department of Transportation, which had imposed an Oct. 1 effective date for new regulations. The National Propane Gas Association said it warned the...

Two advertising aids made available for marketers.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Retailers can take advantage of two new tools developed by the Propane Education & Research Council designed to help promote the industry. The Online Ad Kit, based on the existing Propane Advertising Kit, is geared to capitalize on the...

New standard created for regulator seat leakage.(Cleveland, Ohio)(Fluid Controls Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Fluid Controls Institute Inc.'s control valve/regulator section has developed a companion standard for regular seat leakage in response to industry requests. FCI 70-3 provides for regulator seat leakage ratings for pilot-operated and...

Propane fueling station to fuel shuttles.(Broomfield, Colorado)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A $30,000 federal grant will help build a permanent propane fueling facility and maintenance building in Broomfield, Colo., to fuel seven Zip shuttles in the mall area of the community's FlatIron Improvement District. The grant, issued...

Enhanced CETP training sessions scheduled.(Indianapolis, Indiana)(Certified Employee Training Program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A series of one-day Certified Employee Training Program Orientation and Administration sessions will be held this fall in cities around the country. The sessions, sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council, state and regional...

Inergy acquires four more propane retail operations.(Kansas City, Missouri)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Inergy is expanding its retail base with the addition of four retail operations in Florida, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio. It purchased the operating assets of Marshall Propane Supply Inc. of Indiana and plans to consolidate its operations into...

Nominations sought for 2004 builder award.(Kansas City, Missouri)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The propane industry will again honor outstanding home builders through the PROPANE Exceptional Energy Builder Awards at the 2004 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. The award is presented to home builders who loyally use propane as...

Companies recall propane heaters, grills, pool heaters over safety concerns.(Washington, D.C.)
September 1, 2003... A company is recalling 40,400 propane heaters because they can emit unsafe levels of carbon monoxide that could poison people if used indoors. Academy Sports and Outdoors, of Katy, Texas, has not received any reports of injuries caused by...

PERC board approves rate hike, 2004 budget.(Washington, D.C.)(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Propane retailers will pay five-tenths of a cent per gallon sold during 2004 to fund the Propane Education & Research Council if its board approves another one-tenth of a cent assessment rate increase. The increase--the fourth in four...

Proposed new Coast Guard security rules unreasonable, NPGA complains.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... New security rules published by the Coast Guard in the Federal Register are burdensome, expensive and unreasonable, according to comments submitted in response by the National Propane Gas Association. The NPGA response, delivered July 31,...

Indiana Propane Gas Foundation wins state rebate award.(Indianapolis, Indiana)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Propane Education & Research Council has presented the Milford Therrell Award to the Indiana Propane Gas Foundation based on a safety and market awareness project it conducted in 2002. The project sought to promote market awareness and...

Registration now open for new forklift maintenance, training program.(Washington, D.C.)(Brief Article)(Directory)
September 1, 2003... Registration forms for PERC's forklift maintenance and training program can now be downloaded from the Resource Library on the council's web site at www.usepropane.com. Classes will be held Sept. 8 in Cicero, Ill.; Sept. 25 in Sacramento,...

Gas detection system.(Products)(Det-Tronics)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Det-Tronics offers its new Eclipse OPECL open path gas detection system that offers infrared combustible gas detection for protection of oil/gas and other industrial applications. It has a sensing path of up to 60 meters and a response time...

Cable finder.(Products)(Metro-Tel Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Metro Tel offers its Super Cable Hound that uses dual tone frequencies to help locate and determine the depth of buried metallic pipes and cables. It can find pipe and cables over distances of 5,000 feet and at depths of up to 8 feet. The...

Bulldog Tips.(Products)(Thermadyne Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CutSkill, a brand of Thermadyne Industries, offers new Bulldog Tips that feature heavy wall, two-piece construction for scrap cutting. They are available for Victor and Harris style propane and natural gas torches used in cutting up to 14...

Remote display.(Products)(Liquid Controls L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Liquid Controls introduces a new register accessory that is ideal for aviation, railroad, bulk plant, terminal and other fueling applications. The LectroCount Remote Display features a large, 6-digit, backlit display with 2-inch digits...

Digital pressure gauge.(Products)(Meriam Process Technologies)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Meriam Process Technologies introduces a 3900 Series MERIGAUGE digital pressure gauge that offers 0.10 percent accurate pressure measurement as well as the standard 0.25 percent. The unit can be battery or externally powered and cab be rack...

Software solution.(Products)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... SolArc Inc. offers the latest version of its SolArc Right Angle that supports the physical supply and trade operations of coal, refined products, crude oil and natural gas liquids. The enhancements include compositional blending, document...

Crane.(Products)(Venturo Manufacturing Inc. )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Venturo Manufacturing Inc. presents a new crane developed primarily for the propane industry. The 18,000 FT.LB crane, model ET18KX, is designed to meet the market requirements with an 80 percent increase in capacity over the industry...

Telescopic service crane.(Products)(Stellar Industries Inc.'s Stellar 5520 )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Stellar Industries offers a hexagonal boom design on its Stellar 5520 telescopic service crane, giving it a stronger cross section than square tubing and eliminating boom flex and side-to-side movement. The crane has a 25,000-foot/pound...

Crane bodies.(Products)(KBA Series knuckleboom crane )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... H&H Sales Company presents a KBA Series knuckleboom crane with aluminum installation/service bodies. The series features a 40,000 feet-pound crane that can handle all domestic propane tanks. The KBA Series is available in 10, 12, 14 and 16...

Vent-free fireplace.(Products)(Vanguard)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Vanguard introduces the Dual Burner Compact Classic vent-free gas fireplace. The mid-sized 26,000 Btu fireplace is a step up from the Compact Classic Hearth Fireplace System and features a larger firebox, full-size log set and two rows of...

Corner crane.(Products)(Tiger Line's Stow-A-Crane Jr.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Tiger Line announces its Stow-A-Crane Jr. that offers a power winch in addition to the hand-operated model to help lift heavy loads. The Stow-A-Crane Jr., which has up to 600 pounds of lifting capacity, fits in the side corner of a pick up...

PERC.(People)(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... David Lugar of AmeriGas Propane Inc. in Houston has taken over the helm as chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council. Lugar, who succeeds Walter Cressman of Cress Gas Co. in Richlandtown, Pa., and other officers will serve...

Inergy.(People)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Inergy, LP, announces that five people have been appointed to new positions. Steve McCray and Steve Bohannon join the wholesale team's southern region as a marketing manager. McCray will provide propane supply, price-risk management and...

Heatmaster.(People)(Chuck Tunnell named president)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Heatmaster has appointed Chuck Tunnell as its president. Tunnell, who has 14 years' experience in the hearth industry, joined the company in 2002 as its national sales manager.

Cavagna.(People)(appointed Kim S. O'Hagan )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Cavagna North America, based in Branchburg, NJ, has appointed Kim S. O'Hagan to the newly created position of sales/marketing coordinator for the company and its high-pressure gas valve business. O'Hagan will be responsible for providing...

CFM.(People)(Mark Proudfoot named president and COO)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CFM Corp., based in Mississauga, Ontario, has named Mark Proudfoot as president and chief operating officer. He previously worked as vice president of International Business Development of Emerson Electric, where he had a 23-year career....

Suburban Propane.(People)(regional manager appointments)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Suburban Propane has made three regional manager appointments. The company's regional managers have direct responsibility for all customer service center operations, service and marketing. J. Michael Hoyle has been named regional manager...

Ferrell North America.(People)(Ron Logan named VP, Jimmy McDonald named controller)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Ferrell North America, based in Houston, Texas, has named Ron Logan, a former Dynegy executive, as its senior vice president. Logan will be responsible for the supply, wholesale, trading, transportation, feedstocks, rail, storage and human...

New Jersey Propane Gas Assoc.(People)(William Curcio receives New Jersey Propane Gas Association's Howard Card Safety Award )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... William (Bill) Curcio, of Sparta, NJ, has been awarded the Howard Card Safety Award at the New Jersey Propane Gas Association's 2003 annual meeting. Curcio was honored for his 25 years of leadership in propane safety, employee education...

Ferrellgas.(People)(Jeff East, Drew Mazeitis )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Ferrellgas has named Jeff East as the company's area manager of the company's North Texas Area. East partnered with Ferrellgas in 2002 as general manager for ProAm Texas Inc., which Ferrellgas recently acquired.. Ferrellgas has also named...

Liquid Controls.(People)(Doug Beattie retires)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Liquid Controls, a unit of IDEX Corp., announces the retirement of Doug Beattie, former senior vice president of sales and marketing. His career at Liquid Controls spanned 40 years with its start as an inside customer service...

Globe Gas Corp.(People)(Joyce M. Cole)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Joyce M. Cole, president of Globe Gas Corp., died July 30. Born in 1917 in Arkansas, she moved to California as a child. She later met and married Robert Cole and together they founded Globe Gas Corp. in 1954.

Defending the promising ag market.(Let's Talk)(agricultural industry use of propane)
September 1, 2003... In response to his July article "All customers don't offer equal value," I agree wholeheartedly with LP/Gas business columnist Carl Hughes that in his hypothetical residential vs. agriculture scenario all customers do not offer equal value. In...

Golden rules.(Mailbox)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Your "Listen to the Coach" story (July 2003) I read about a month ago and then again this morning deserved two comments: GOOD STORY, GREAT COACH! What really made me send this message is that I believe Coach Holtz had one more golden rule...