January 2026 Texas Propane magazine

Texas Propane T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

JANUARY 2026

Compliance or Consequences:

Why Leak Checks Must Come First

Rising Education Costs?

NPGA Scholarships Can Help The Math Behind Degree Days: The Cold Hard Facts Avoiding Overtime Mistakes

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Texas Propane T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

CONTENTS FEATURES

7 TPGA Board and Committee Meetings: Registration Open for March 3-4, 2026 8 Compliance or Consequences: Why Leak Checks Must Come First The Warning No Company Can Afford to Ignore 10 P roCOT Pulse: Don’t Leave Your Company Exposed in 2026 — Act Now! 12 The Math Behind Degree Days: The Cold Hard Facts 14 Residential Heating Marketplace Snapshot: Texas 16 Turning Price Complaints into Productive Conversations A Helpful Guide for Propane Providers

19 RISING EDUCATION COSTS? NPGA’s competitive scholarships are a member benefit that matters.

30 PROPANE WITH PURPOSE Stock tank heaters are perfect for ranchers during frigid months.

17 Winter Safety Meeting: Weather Communication & Company Expectations 18 Looking Back & Looking Ahead to a Year of Change 20 A LOOK BACK: The 1920s Silent Films, Prohibition & Propane’s Early Rise 21 C harting the Course: PERC’s 2026 Blueprint Unveiled 22 Peak Season, Peak Risk: Avoiding Overtime Mistakes DEPARTMENTS

4 Highlights from Headquarters 6 TPGA Board of Directors 26

Inside the Industry

26

In Memoriam

27

New Members

28

lassified C Advertising

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Calendar of Events

Texas Propane THE MAGAZINE FOR THE TEXAS PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Highlights from Headquarters Bill Van Hoy

TPGA Executive Director

Happy new year! I hope everyone was able to enjoy time with family and friends on the cusp of what one can hope will be a busy heating season. Our lead story this issue (page 8), is a reminder about the legalities of leak checks and the importance of strong protocols in your company to protect yourself, and your customers, from tragedy.

It’s not too late to participate in this heating season's ProCOT Duty to Warn mailing (page 10). Participating is easy and an effective way to reach your customers.

Have you ever wondered what Heating Degree Days (HDD) are? We dig into how HDDs are calculated (page 12) so you can better understand this common data point.

Have you or your employees ever taken a call from a customer frustrated by their propane bill? On page 16 we share tips on having productive conversations on matters of price.

Now that we are at the front end of our coldest season, traditionally, it’s a good time to have a winter safety meeting (page 17).

If you or your employees have children pursuing post-high school education, make sure they consider applying for NPGA Scholarships (page 19). The Fund has awarded $2.7 million in support since its founding.

This year we’ll be looking at propane through the decades. Our first look will be the 1920s (page 20).

With demand high now, make sure you understand overtime pay rules (page 22) and avoid common mistakes.

TPGA staff Bill Van Hoy..................bvanhoy@txpropane.com Executive Director Jackie Mason...................jmason@txpropane.com Deputy Executive Director Julie Novinger............accountant@txpropane.com Bookkeeper Christie Shook..................cshook@txpropane.com Membership & Meeting Manager Propane Service Corporation............................ sales@propaneservicecorp.com Christie Shook 800-392-0023 Publisher Kim Scheberle.............. kscheberle@austin.rr.com Account Manager/Managing Editor Sail House Publishing 512-346-0892 Joanne Pantaze..................jpantaze@zochnet.com Advertising Sales 512-273-2639 Kiki Pantaze.....................kpantaze@zochnet.com Art Director 512-924-7566

AFFINITY PARTNERS

Basys Processing Lone Star Energy Group Warm Thoughts Communications

Interested in a ProCOT board position or soon to close grants? Our Inside the Industry (page 26) always includes short news important for our industry.

In Memoriam (page 26) allows us to say goodbye to members of our propane family.

And lastly, we highlight a propane-powered stock tank heater in Propane with Purpose (page 30). It's a great tool for ranchers with remote stock tanks.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

8408 North Interstate 35 Austin, TX 78753 512-836-8620 or 800-325-7427 512-834-0758 fax E-mail: info@txpropane.com www.txpropane.com

2025-2026 TPGA Board of Directors President: Larry Baty, Cadenhead Servis Gas, 972-771-8654 President Elect: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 Secretary: Matt Terry, Matador Gas, 210-861-6545 Treasurer/Finance Chair: Bill Collins, Propane Exchange, 214-629-5118 District 1 Director: David Collett, Gas and Supply, 903-780-2488 District 1 Alternate: John Minton, Gas & Supply, 903-490-0605 District 2 Director: Billy Bob McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 District 2 Alternate: Joe January, McAdams Propane, 254-723-4210 District 3 Director: Stephen McClendon, Ferrellgas, 972-730-0469 District 3 Alternate: Bill McHargue, Pinnacle Propane, 936-332-2901 District 4 Director: Matt Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 District 4 Alternate: Garrett Green, Green's Blue Flame Gas Co. 713-562-5341 District 5 Director: Brody Newton, Busters Propane, 361-852-8161 District 5 Alternate: Regina Betancourt, Ferrellgas, 361-429-8548 District 6 Director: Omar Garcia, Mr. G Propane, 956-581-1063 District 6 Alternate: Alex Hinojosa, Hino Gas Sales, 956-423-9178 District 7 Director: Sharon Seal, Bell Hydrogas, 210-533-7103 District 7 Alternate: Duston Cox, Chaparral Propane, 830-329-0871 District 8 Director: Rodney Sladek, Fayetteville Propane, 979-836-7044 District 8 Alternate: Doyle Fevig, Legacy Propane 830-995-5015 District 9 Director: Brad Quisenberry, Gene Harris Petroleum, 817-295-1091 District 9 Alternate: Larry Hearn, Yellow Rose Propane, 870-648-8241 District 10 Director: Josh Nowlin, McCraw Propane, 903-583-7481 District 10 Alternate: Chad Gregg, Enderby Gas, 940-482-3225 District 11 Director: Steve Adams, Hardwick LPG, 254-647-3402 District 11 Alternate: Anna May Etheredge, Enderby Gas, 940-665-3467 District 12 Director: Laci Jo Stone, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 District 12 Alternate: Shawn Owens, Heart of Texas Propane, 325-313-0748 District 13 Director: Lane Worthington, WTG Fuels, 432-682-4349

District 13 Alternate: Casey King, WTG Fuels, 432-894-4240 District 14 Director: Terry Perez, Perez Propane, 512-318-9780 District 14 Alternate: Elizabeth Perez, Perez Propane, 915-764-3382 District 15 Director: Don Heinrich, Slaton Gas, 806-828-6501 District 15 Alternate: Kenneth Waters, Charles Oil & Gas, Inc (dba) Farwell Fuels, (806) 481-3222 District 16 Director: Clay Crist, Crist Fuel, 806-426-3412 District 16 Alternate: Jacob Acuna, TG Fuels, 303-514-6061 Past President: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 Past President: Mark Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 Past President: Jack Walzel, Tri-Co Propane, 254-642-3885 Past President: John Walter, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 Past President: Allen Wells, BayGas, 281-332-2630 Vice President: Steve Adams, Hardwick LPG, 254-647-3402 Vice President: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 Vice President: Matt Terry, Matador Gas, 210-861-6545 Sr. Vice President: Todd Dorris, Roadrunner Energy, 830-278-2915 Sr. Vice President: Bill Collins, Propane Exchange, 972-442-1078 Sr. Vice President: Joe Green, Green’s Blue Flame Gas, 713-462-5414 Assoc. Supplier Service Director: Andy Brus, Crum & Forster, 682-220-4812 Assoc. Supplier Service Alternate: Rusty Walker, Marshall Young, 817-645 9155 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Director: John Becraft, Targa Resources, 713-594-7485 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Alternate: Brittany Greer, Enterprise Products, 318-299-0540 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Director: Troy Hicks, Squibb Taylor, 915-613-7534 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Alternate: Tracy Wells, GEC, 214-683-8018 Assoc. At Large Director: Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas Sales, 713-851-6155 Assoc. At Large Alternate: Jim Fulton, 4-J Energy, 832-529-4768 Nominating Chair: John Walter, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 NPGA Director: Mark Garrison, Allstar Fuel, 806-296-6353

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Tracy Wells East & West Texas

Mike Armstrong South Texas

Registration is Open for the March 3-4, 2026

TPGA Board & Committee Meetings

Mark your calendar! You are invited to attend the TPGA Board & Committee Meetings on March 3-4, 2026, at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville.

Your participation is valued, and we look forward to seeing you in Kerrville.

Larry Baty, TPGA President LOCATION

MEETING SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026 9:00–10:00 AM Executive Committee 10:00–11:00 AM Finance Committee 11:00–12:00 PM T&S Committee 12:00–1:15 PM Lunch 1:30–2:30 PM Conference Committee 2:30–3:30 PM Flood Round Table 3:30–4:30 PM Membership Committee 4:30–5:30 PM Happy Hour 6:00–8:00 PM Dinner WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026 9:00–11:00 AM Board Meeting AGENDA

• Financials • RRC Update • Meetings/Convention Update • Executive Director’s Report • T&S Update • Membership Update • Old & New Business

Inn of the Hills | 1001 Junction Hwy | Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 895-5000

REGISTRATION

HOST HOTEL INFORMATION

QUESTIONS?

• Room rate: Starting at $129/night | FREE Parking • Reservation Deadline: February 5, 2026

Register via the www.txpropane.com homepage. info@txpropane.com | 800-325-7427

January 2026 • Texas Propane

7

Feature

Compliance or Consequences: Why Leak Checks Must Come First

The Warning No Company Can Afford to Ignore A propane leak left unaddressed is not just a safety hazard — it’s a serious compliance failure. For Texas propane companies, the consequences of skipping or mishandling a leak check reach far beyond fines or lost customers. A recent Virginia court case serves as a stark example of what can happen when safety procedures are not followed.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

A Case That Shook the Industry

According to an article in LP Gas Magazine by John McCoy, on July 21, 2025, a Virginia jury convicted a service manager of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, along with three misdemeanors related to the improper handling of hazardous materials. He now faces up to 13 years in prison. The case centered on a red-tagged underground 500-gallon propane tank that fueled a pool heater and had previously been identified as leaking and unsafe. Despite the tag, the tank was refilled, and hours later the house exploded — killing a firefighter, injuring 12 others, and destroying the home. The company now faces a $100 million civil lawsuit.

Investigators found that the tank had been red-tagged weeks earlier after a leak was detected and a POL lock installed to prevent use. Nonetheless, a delivery driver — unaware of its status — filled the tank and immediately smelled propane. When the homeowner called the company, a manager allegedly assured her the situation was under control. Later that day, a service technician confirmed the leak but said it was "not an emergency" and advised against calling the fire department. Eighteen minutes after a neighbor reported the odor to 911, firefighters arrived and contacted the same technician, who again dismissed the danger.

Roughly half an hour later, the home exploded — a devastating example of how one overlooked safety protocol and a series of complacent decisions can escalate into a criminal tragedy.

Texas Law Is Clear: Leak Checks Are Mandatory

Under the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), leak checks are not optional. The LP-Gas Safety Rules (16 TAC Chapter 9) require that all propane systems and equipment be maintained in safe working order. No system can be returned to service until leaks are repaired and verified. Failure to comply can lead to administrative penalties, loss of license, and, in severe cases, criminal prosecution.

The RRC has adopted both 2017 NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) and 2018 NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) by reference. In practice, this means: • NFPA 58 governs the LP-gas storage, container, and firststage system.

• NFPA 54 governs the customer piping, second-stage regulator, and appliances inside the structure.

So, if a customer runs out of propane or pressure is lost, both codes apply — you must leak-check both sides of the system before restoring service. NFPA 58 §6.17.2 and NFPA 54 §8.2.3 both make it clear: after any interruption of service, the entire system must be checked for leaks before the gas is turned back on.

There continues to be confusion in the field about when a leak check is required. Running out of gas is only one type of interruption of service — but it’s far from the only one. A leak check must be performed anytime gas flow to a system has stopped and pressure has been lost. This includes when a tank is replaced or reinstalled, regulators or piping are serviced, valves are shut off, or the system is modified in any way. Both NFPA 58 (§ 6.17.2) and NFPA 54 (§ 8.2.3) clearly state that after any interruption of service, the entire system must be checked for leaks before gas is reintroduced.

When a company knows of a leak, fails to act, or allows unqualified personnel to proceed, those actions can expose both the

company and individual technicians to felony charges, not just civil lawsuits.

The Legal and Business Fallout

When leak-check protocols are ignored or performed improperly, the fallout can be devastating: • Criminal Liability – Involuntary manslaughter, hazmat violations, or falsified records can all lead to criminal charges.

• Civil Exposure – Plaintiffs often seek multimillion-dollar damages, especially in cases involving injuries or fatalities.

• Regulatory Sanctions – The RRC can impose fines, suspend licenses, and list violations publicly.

• Reputational Damage – One safety failure can erase decades of trust and cost a company its customers.

Lessons from the Virginia Case

The Virginia case highlights failures that could occur anywhere: poor communication, lack of supervision, ignored warning signs, and no evacuation plan. Each misstep compounded the danger. In Texas, similar conduct could lead to multiple RRC violations, OSHA findings, and criminal prosecution.

Building a Leak-Check Culture That Protects Everyone

To prevent tragedies like the Virginia case, Texas propane companies should reinforce a culture where safety comes first. Every leak check, no matter how routine, is an opportunity to protect lives, preserve property, and uphold the reputation of the propane industry.

• Mandate full leak checks after every service interruption, installation, or odor call.

• Verify red-tag and POL-lock procedures are clearly documented, communicated, and followed.

• Treat every gas odor as an emergency until proven otherwise.

• Ensure all technicians are properly trained and certified in current RRC, NFPA 58, and NFPA 54 leak-check standards.

• Document every step and every leak check. Thorough records protect both the company and the technician. In the aftermath of an incident, complete documentation can mean the difference between compliance and criminal liability.

• Audit paperwork and field procedures regularly to confirm accuracy and consistency.

• Empower employees to halt unsafe operations without fear of discipline — safety must always outrank schedule or convenience.

The Bottom Line

The Virginia tragedy underscores that a single poor decision can turn a safety lapse into a criminal case. Texas propane companies have both the legal duty and the moral obligation to make leak checks a routine, well-documented practice. Protecting lives and livelihoods begins with making leak checks non-negotiable — and documenting every one.

If a leak is present, inspect, identify, shutdown, tag and repair.

January 2026 • Texas Propane

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ProCOT Pulse

Don’t Leave Your Company Exposed in 2026 — Act Now!

Every heating season, propane incidents make headlines—and when they do, attorneys and insurance carriers look for: proof that you fulfilled your duty to warn. The Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program is the fastest and simplest way to demonstrate that you provided required safety notifications to every residential customer on your list during the 2026 heating season.

Skipping warning to customers can put your company at risk. Failure to warn can become a critical liability point in the event of an accident or claim. That’s why nearly one-third of Texas propane marketers participate annually—and why many insurers strongly encourage their clients to enroll as early in the heating season as possible.

This program delivers professionally printed, Texas-specific safety brochures—complete with the required RRC Consumer Safety Notification—directly to your customers’ mailboxes and provides proof of mailing, including a postage receipt and notarized affidavit. For just pennies per address, you gain the peace of mind that comes with having verifiable safety documentation on record.

And timing matters: Although the 2026 heating season has already started, there is still time to register and send your Duty to

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Warn mailing. But the longer you wait, the more of the season you spend without verified documentation supporting your safety practices.

Key Benefits

• No-cost brochure: The Council covers the brochure and bulk mail postage when participating in the program.

• Texas-specific content: Includes important safety topics for Texas residents, including the required RRC Consumer Safety Notification.

• Easy participation: Register online and upload your Texas customer mailing list.

Cost to Participate for Heating Season 2025-2026.

9.5¢ per address as well as a $38 fulfillment fee per company per year.

Costs subject to change 2026-2027 heating season that start September 2026.

Program Details

• Formal registration is required each year to participate.

• Mailing list: Upload your customer list in .csv or .xlsx format.

• Processing: Your registration and

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

list are sent to our mail house.

• Confirmation: You’ll receive an email confirming successful registration.

• Customization: Your company name will be printed on the brochure.

• Mailing: Brochures are mailed to your Texas customers within 30 days.

• Verification: You will receive a postage receipt and notarized affidavit once mailing is complete.

List Tips

• All lists must be uploaded directly to the online registration form.

• No PDFs — only Excel (.xlsx) or .csv files are accepted.

• Remove all customer notes (e.g., COD, Cash Only). Any text next to the customer name will print on the outside of the mailer.

Registration

For just pennies per address, you gain the peace of mind that comes with having verifiable safety documentation on record — documentation that has proven critical in cases involving multi-million-dollar judgments.

Register at www.procot.org/dutytowarn.

January 2026 • Texas Propane

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The Math Behind Degree Days: The Cold Hard Facts

Heating Degree Days (HDD) aren’t actual “days” — they’re a way to measure how cold it gets and how much heating a home needs because of it. Think of 65°F as the point where most buildings don’t need heat; when temperatures drop below that, a heating system has to start working.

As the U.S. Energy Information Administration explains: “Degree days are measures of how cold or warm a location is. A degree day compares the mean (the average of the high and low) outdoor temperatures recorded for a location to a standard temperature, usually 65° Fahrenheit (F) in the United States. The more extreme the outside temperature, the higher the number of degree days. A high number of degree days generally results in higher energy use for space heating or cooling.”

• How HDD is calculated each day: 1. 65 minus today’s average temperature = Heating Degree Days for the day • Example: 2. If today’s average temperature is 55°F: 65 - 55 = 10 Heating Degree Days 3. If today’s average temperature is 30°F: 65 - 30 = 35 Heating Degree Days That day was much colder, so the heater had to work harder.

• Monthly Total Explained: Each day’s Heating Degree Days are added together for the entire month.

If many days are cold, the totals climb quickly.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

• Example Month Calculation: 65 - 50 = 15 HDD per day 15 x 31 days = 465 HDD in one month In 2024, the West South Central United States recorded 339 Heating Degree Days for December. That does NOT mean there were 339 days in the month.

It means all the cold from all the days added together equals 339 degrees below 65°F. 4. Think of HDD like a running total: • Every degree below 65°F adds one unit.

• Mild days add only a few units.

• Cold days add many more.

December accumulated a large number because temperatures stayed consistently lower.

• Heating Degree Days answer one key question: “How hard did the heater have to work this month?”

• They DO NOT mean: 5. How many days passed • How long the winter was • They DO mean: 6. How cold it really was How much heating energy people needed That’s it! Heating Degree Days measure cold — not time.

Join TPGA to get monthly Heating Degree Day Data.

Join now at www.txpropane.com.

January 2026 • Texas Propane

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Residential Heating Marketplace Snapshot: Texas mary heating source for 313,899 homes statewide. The tool illustrates how propane competes in a heavily natural-gas driven market, while also revealing opportunities across rural and mixed-use areas where propane continues to play a critical role.

Texas Residential Space Heating Snapshot:

Residential space heating remains the single most important end-use market for the propane industry, and Texas represents one of the largest and most diverse residential energy markets in the country. To help propane marketers better understand that landscape, the National Propane Gas Association has developed a residential space heating data tool that allows members to evalu-

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ate propane’s footprint down to the state, county, ZIP code, and tribal level. The tool provides insight into market share, fuel competition, and trends over time, helping companies make more informed business and policy decisions based on localized marketplace data.

In Texas alone, the residential heating market includes 10,746,953 occupied households, with propane serving as a pri-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

• Propane households: 313,899 • Natural gas households: 3,702,582 • Electricity households: 6,588,571 • Wood heating households: 26,513 • Solar-heated households: 22,354 • Other fuels (fuel oil, coal, and alternative sources): Over 92,000 combined • No primary heating fuel reported: 66,038 households The residential space heating tool is available to NPGA members through the Member Dashboard at www.npga.org and is designed to support planning, advocacy, and market strategy by offering a clearer view of propane’s position within Texas’s evolving energy mix.

WEATHER THE WINTER WITH US JOIN OUR HERD

MARKETER MEMBER PERKS FREE listing on our Texas Find a Propane Retailer Tool Weekly propane price reports (heating season) A voice at the local, state, and federal levels Guidance on rules, regulations, codes & laws State & federal regulatory alerts and updates State & federal compliance date reminders Hours of service waiver notifications Roadside enforcement event announcements Exclusive access to our Members Only portal on our website Up to 30% savings through Propane Service Corporation Special pricing on emergency response numbers, workers' compensation, health insurance, tires, and more Member-only invitations to quarterly meetings

800-325-7427 EXT 6 info@txpropane.com

Turning Price Complaints into Productive Conversations A Helpful Guide for Propane Providers

Position these options as tools that help customers plan ahead, not sales add-ons.

Reinforce the Value of Propane

Price conversations are also an opportunity to remind customers why propane remains a strong energy choice.

Key value points: - Highly efficient for heating, water heating, and cooking - Reliable energy during power outages - Often lower lifetime costs compared to electriconly systems - One fuel that powers multiple household needs

Simple phrasing: “Propane delivers reliable comfort, especially during Texas weather extremes.”

Every propane provider has taken the call: a customer frustrated or confused about their propane bill. These conversations can feel challenging, but they also present an opportunity—to educate, reassure, and strengthen customer relationships. With the right approach, pricerelated calls can become productive conversations that build trust and long-term loyalty.

Lead with Empathy

When a customer raises concerns about price, start by acknowledging their feelings.

What to say: “I understand why that feels frustrating. Energy costs have been unpredictable, and I’m glad you called so we can talk it through.”

A calm, empathetic opening helps lower stress and signals that the customer’s concern is being taken seriously.

Explain Propane Pricing in Plain Language

Customers don’t need a market report— they need a clear, simple explanation.

Key factors that influence propane

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prices: - Seasonal demand: Colder weather increases propane use, which can impact pricing - Supply and transportation: Weather, transportation costs, and regional supply conditions all matter - Global energy markets: Propane is part of a global energy system - Delivery timing: Emergency or last-minute deliveries are typically more expensive Helpful analogy: “Propane pricing works a lot like airfare—timing, demand, and availability all influence the price.”

Focus on What Customers Can Control

After explaining the basics, shift the conversation toward solutions.

Options that can help manage costs include: - Automatic delivery (Keep-Full programs): Helps avoid emergency deliveries and smooths out seasonal price spikes - Pre-buy or price-cap programs: Offers greater budget certainty when available - Budget billing: Spreads costs evenly throughout the year - Early fills: Filling during lower-demand months can help reduce overall costs

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Responding to Common Questions

“Why did my bill increase so much?”

Colder weather increases usage, and prices are often higher later in the season.

Reviewing delivery timing and program options can help avoid surprises in the future.

“My neighbor paid less.”

Pricing can vary based on delivery timing, usage patterns, and program participation. Reviewing available options can help align costs going forward.

“Propane is too expensive.”

Like all energy sources, propane prices fluctuate—but propane offers flexibility, reliability, and cost-management options that many fuels do not.

End with a Clear Next Step

Productive price conversations always include a path forward.

Encourage customers to: - Enroll in automatic delivery - Set up budget billing - Schedule early fills - Review appliance efficiency and usage patterns

Closing thought: “Planning ahead can make next season easier and more predictable.”

Winter Safety Meeting

Weather Communication & Company Expectations snow, or steep terrain - Driveways or private roads are impassable - Weather creates unsafe hose handling or equipment conditions Documentation Expectations - Note weather-related delays or refusals in delivery or service records - Take photos when helpful and safe to do so Audience: Bobtail Drivers, Service Technicians, Dispatch Staff Duration: 20–30 minutes Date: _________________________ Location :______________________ Facilitator: _____________________ Purpose of This Meeting

Winter weather creates added risk for propane operations. This safety meeting reinforces company expectations related to weather-related decisions, communication, and driver authority to stop or delay work when conditions become unsafe.

Key Message: No delivery is worth an accident.

Company Safety Expectations

Safety always comes before schedules or delivery targets.

Drivers will not be penalized for stopping, delaying, or refusing service due to unsafe weather or site conditions.

Management and dispatch fully support weather-based safety decisions.

Clear, timely communication is critical to protecting employees and customers.

Name (Print)

Decision-Making Responsibilities

Drivers: Continuously assess road, weather, and site conditions.

Stop work immediately if conditions become unsafe.

Notify dispatch as soon as unsafe conditions are identified.

Dispatch / Management: Monitor forecasts and real-time weather conditions.

Adjust routes, delivery priorities, and schedules as needed.

Communicate delays and service interruptions to customers.

When in doubt: Stop and call.

Weather Communication Process

(Review company-specific procedures below.) - Morning weather brief or update - Mid-day updates if conditions change Emergency alerts for ice, snow, flooding, or road closures - Clear direction on route changes or shutdowns Reminder: If conditions change and no update has been issued, drivers are expected to initiate communication.

When to Delay or Refuse Service

Customer Communication Guidelines

Remain calm, professional, and consistent Use company-approved language when explaining delays Example: “For safety reasons, we’re unable to make this delivery today. We’ll reschedule as soon as conditions improve.”

Do not negotiate unsafe access Refer upset customers to the office when necessary

Group Discussion

Use the questions below to encourage participation: 1. What weather conditions most often cause you to stop or delay a delivery?

2. Have you ever experienced unclear communication during winter weather?

3. What type of weather updates are most helpful to you?

Final Reminder

Clear communication and empowered decision-making prevent winter incidents.

Drivers are expected—and supported—to make the safe call.

Attendee Acknowledgment

Drivers should delay or refuse service when: - Roads are icy, flooded, or visibility is severely limited - Tank access is unsafe due to ice,

I acknowledge that I participated in this safety meeting and understand the company’s expectations regarding winter weather communication and safety decisions.

Signature

Date

January 2026 • Texas Propane

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Safety News

Looking Back & Looking Ahead to a Year of Change Protect Every Fleet Member, Every Mile.

Eric Kuster PERC Senior Vice President, Safety, Education, and Compliance

35+ Years of Serving LPG Clients.

Don’t risk your fleet to subpar coverage. Nixon & Lindstrom offers more: •

Specialized propane distribution insurance.

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Coverage in all 50 states.

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Diverse carrier and coverage options.

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Trusted advisors in propane distribution insurance.

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Third-generation, family owned agency.

Jared Ballard 3rd Generation Specialist

Visit us at www.nixonins.com or call 800-238-8994.

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Safety has always been the foundation of our industry. It protects our employees, earns the trust of our customers, and ensures the long-term success of every propane business. But a strong safety culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through consistent habits, honest conversations, and leadership that sets the tone every day.

In 2025, our industry engaged with PERC’s Learning Center in record numbers, including: • 87,000+ registered users representing 5,200 companies • 165,000+ training hours completed • 1.1 million+ individual system logons • Helped 25 states with customized learning programs Beyond technical training, the Learning Center continues to support propane education through programs for HVAC technical schools, allied partners, building professionals, sales professionals, customer service representatives, and autogas training.

This past year, new technical training programs became available, including Propane Containers and Valves, Evacuat-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

ing Propane Containers, Bobtail Driver Refresher Learning Path, Cylinder Driver Refresher Learning Path, Propane Personal Safety, and Managing Compliance in the Propane Industry.

In 2025, PERC also introduced a new approach to consumer safety messaging with updated materials in both electronic and printed formats. The residential booklet, residential trifold, small cylinder, industrial/commercial materials, and the new self-sealing mailer give marketers more flexibility than ever to reach customers with important safety information. These materials are available through Propane Service Corporation at www.propaneservicecorp.com.

Looking ahead to 2026, PERC will continue focusing on supporting a strong culture of safety across the propane industry through new training and educational programs designed to engage both industry professionals and consumers.

The goal remains clear: reducing incidents and accidents and making every day safe. To support this effort, PERC will launch a new outreach program providing tools and resources to help organizations strengthen their internal safety culture.

Details on this initiative will be available after the new year.

As you plan for the year ahead, I encourage you to think about safety every day. We all share a responsibility to our co-workers, customers, the public, and first responders to make safety a core part of everything we do. I am proud of the industry’s continued commitment to education, and I know that by working together, we can further reduce accidents and injuries so everyone has a great year ahead.

Cheers to a great 2025 and a successful 2026.

NPGA News

Rising Education Costs?

NPGA Scholarships Can Help resources/scholarships/.

Application window: December 15 – February 15 (11:59 PM PST) Applications are completed online through the CommunityForce platform.

Students must provide:

• Parent’s employer and NPGA member ID number • Family income information • Official academic transcript • Responses to three short-answer essay questions • Activity and involvement details Selection is based on financial need, academics, activities, and essay quality, making well-crafted responses crucial. Notifications are sent by email in mid-May.

How Funds Are Distributed NPGA’s Competitive Scholarships: A Member Benefit That Matters

With college and technical school costs continuing to climb, families everywhere are feeling the pressure. Today’s students face average annual costs of more than $26,000 at a public university and over $56,000 at a private college—while many trade and technical programs now run $5,000–$20,000 per year. Against this backdrop, the National Propane Gas Foundation (NPGF) Scholarship Program offers a valuable opportunity exclusively for NPGA member families.

And make no mistake: these scholarships are competitive. Each year, more than 100 students earn awards based on merit, financial need, and thoughtful applications. With a limited number of scholarships and a strong group of propane-industry students applying nationwide, every application must shine.

A Long-Standing Investment in Propane Families

Since 1994, the NPGF Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $2.7 million to 1,800+ students connected to NPGA

member companies. Each year, the Foundation offers: • 100+ scholarships • Award amounts of $1,000 or $2,000 • Support for students in four-year degrees, two-year degrees, certificate programs, and trade and technical programs (HVAC, CDL, gas fitter, electrician, plumber, etc.) — especially encouraged.

Scholarships are one-year awards, but students may reapply annually for up to four years.

Who Is Eligible?

A student qualifies if they are: • A dependent child of a full-time employee of an NPGA member company, a state propane association, or PERC • A high school senior or undergraduate with at least a 2.6 GPA • Unmarried and under age 24 at the deadline • Enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university, technical school, or trade program for the upcoming year

Scholarship funds are sent directly to the student’s school and can be applied toward tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and other school-billed educational expenses.

Why Your Student Should Apply

This is one of the most valuable NPGA member benefits—and one that directly supports your family’s future. The NPGF Scholarship Program is competitive, respected nationwide, and designed specifically for children of propane-industry employees. If your student meets the eligibility criteria, applying is not just encouraged—it’s smart.

Questions? Contact NPGA at 202466-7200 or at scholarship@npga.org.

How to Apply

Go to https://www.npga.org/newsJanuary 2026 • Texas Propane

19

A LOOK BACK:

The 1920s

Silent Films, Prohibition & Propane’s Early Rise

The Roaring Twenties were marked by booming prosperity, jazz culture, prohibition and rapid technological progress under Presidents Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and later Herbert Hoover.

Gasoline cost only about 20–30 cents per gallon, Americans packed theaters to watch silent-film icons like Charlie Chaplin and Clara Bow as “talkies” emerged, and radio shows such as Amos ’n’ Andy became national sensations in homes across the country. Amid this wave of innovation and modern conveniences, propane was beginning to gain traction as a usable, marketable fuel, setting the stage for the industry’s rapid growth in the decades to come.

Discovery to Early Adoption

Propane was first identified in 1867 by industrial chemist Edmund Ronalds, but it wasn’t until 1910 that Dr. Walter Snelling isolated it while investigating vapors from a Ford Model T gasoline tank.

Recognizing its potential, Snelling began marketing LPG in 1912 and converted the first home to propane that same year.

Early use focused on metal cutting, especially after the 1918 introduction of the first pumpless LPG blowtorch.

Production and Technology Expand

The 1920s marked propane’s first real growth phase. In 1922, recorded U.S. LPgas production totaled 223,000 gallons,

and by 1927 it surpassed 1 million gallons as processing and recovery improved. Pipeline advances in the late 1920s made longdistance gas transmission practical, and widespread availability of cylinders helped move propane into homes and businesses.

Propane Enters the Home

Consumer use accelerated as companies promoted new applications. In 1920, Carbide and Carbon Chemical Corporation began marketing propane for cooking. By 1927, the first LP-gas-powered cookstoves were in development, and in 1928 Servel introduced the first propanefueled refrigerator—an important option for rural households without electricity.

Safety and Equipment Improvements

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Early appliances used natural-gas valves that degraded under propane’s higher pressure, causing leaks. To address this, manufacturers such as Bastien-Blessing, Fisher Governor, and Reliance Manufacturing developed dedicated LP-gas regulators, valves, and fittings in 1928. These improvements laid the groundwork for safer, more reliable household use.

By the end of the decade, propane had firmly stepped out of the lab and into American life—quietly positioning itself as a modern fuel ready for the innovations still to come.

Charting the Course: PERC’s 2026 Blueprint Unveiled The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) convened its winter meeting on December 2-3, 2025, in Destin, Florida. Council members received reports from leadership, reviewed program updates, and approved all docket items listed on the published agenda.

Safety, Education & Compliance Report

Updating and Maintenance — $300,000

• Docket 25371: 2026 Learning Center Operations — $833,000 • Docket 25462: 2026 PEP Content

The next PERC Council Meeting will be on February 11 and it will be a virtual meeting.

800.488.8816

Approved Dockets

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Chief Executive Officer’s Report • Docket 25370: 2026 Research & Product Development — $256,000 Finance, Data & Technology Report • Docket 25369: 2026 Market Data & Research Program — $623,000 Chief Operating Officer’s Report • Docket 25380: 2026 NPGA Services Agreement — $1,350,000 • Docket 25367: 2026 Industry Engagement — $882,000 • Docket 25368: 2026 Workforce Outreach & Education — $589,600

New Year.

New Choices.

ASM is ringing in 2026 with new options designed to enhance your cylinder storage and handling equipment. Stay tuned!

Business Development Report

• Docket 25361: 2026 Propane Construction Research & Data Collection Program — $2,250,000 • Docket 25364: 2026 Agriculture/ Off-Road Market Business Development — $569,090 • Docket 25360: 2026 Residential Market Business Development — $500,438 • Docket 25363: 2026 Autogas Market Business Development — $463,310 • Docket 25362: 2026 Commercial Market Business Development — $379,350 • Docket 25365: 2026 Material Handling Business Development — $329,550 • Docket 25457: Propane-Powered Irrigation Engine & Landscape Equipment Demo Program — $175,000

Communications & Marketing Report

• Docket 25366: 2026 Integrated Marketing & Communications Plan — $10,030,600 January 2026 • Texas Propane

21

Business Beat

Peak Season, Peak Risk: Avoiding Overtime Mistakes “All Our Managers Are Exempt They’re Salaried”

There are certain areas of wage and hour law that cause more confusion for employers than most other areas. Following is a brief outline of those pitfalls and some suggestions for avoiding or dealing with them, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

“We’re Not Covered - We’re Too Small”

Some employers assume that because their business is small, they are not covered by the FLSA. Unlike most other state and federal employment laws, the FLSA does not depend directly upon the number of employees. The FLSA covers individual employees whose work affects interstate commerce, or it can apply to all employees working for an employer that is covered as an enterprise that is involved in interstate commerce. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the courts have attached broad meaning to the term “interstate commerce”. For instance, it is generally assumed that businesses situated along U.S. and interstate highways are involved in interstate commerce, simply because they can easily get customers from out of state by virtue of their easy access from the highway.

Similarly, any employee who routinely orders materials or supplies from out of

22

state vendors, or who sells to out of state customers, is assumed to be involved in interstate commerce. In a very real sense, practically anything in connection with our modern, networked economy is going to be sufficient to be considered involvement in interstate commerce. The vast majority of businesses can save themselves a lot of time and legal expenses by going ahead and assuming they and all their employees are covered under the FLSA.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Some employers make the mistake of assuming that simply because an employee is paid a salary, or is called “salaried” or “exempt”, or has a high-ranking job title, the employee will be considered exempt from overtime pay. Few things could be further from the truth. Many non-exempt employees are paid a salary, such as receptionists, secretaries, file clerks, and technicians. In a similar vein, giving an employee a high-sounding job title such as “director of production” or “sales manager” will make no difference, if the employee’s job duties do not satisfy the criteria found in the DOL’s “duties” test for an exemption category. In short, the DOL looks right past what a person is paid or called, instead focusing on the nature of the job and how the employee does the job.

“We Don’t Owe Overtime Because the Salary We Pay Covers All the Time They Work”

A problem similar to the one immediately above occurs when an employer recognizes that an employee is non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay, but assumes that paying the employee a fixed salary that is meant to cover both straight-time and overtime pay

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will be sufficient to meet the overtime pay requirements. Unfortunately, that assumption is wrong. Regardless of the amount of the salary, and regardless of whether the employee agrees that the salary covers both overtime and non-overtime hours, the DOL and the courts will rule that the employer owes extra overtime pay, since the salary at most can cover only straight-time pay for all hours worked. There are some little-known overtime pay methods that to one extent or another can give the appearance of a set salary that includes overtime pay (and such methods should be attempted only with the assistance of a wage and hour law expert), but upon closer analysis, even those methods fail to fully insulate an employer from the duty of paying extra pay for extra hours worked.

detailed records of hours worked by each non-exempt employee. An employer that allows employees to keep their own time records is only asking for trouble. For instance, if an employee files a wage claim for unpaid overtime, and the employer has no time records to dispute the employee’s own records showing that overtime was worked, the DOL and the courts will accept the employee’s records as valid under what is known as the “best evidence” rule, unless there is a good reason to doubt the credibility of such records. Another problem will occur if the DOL audits the employer for compliance

with the FLSA; part of any compliance audit is an inspection of the required records, and non-existent records may be cause for further DOL action.

“We Don’t Need to Pay Overtime, Because We Give Our Employees Comp Time”

Compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay is something that governmental employers may use, but private sector employers may not make use of compensatory time. Private employers may use an informal variety of compensatory time by adjusting

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There is no such thing as “voluntary unpaid overtime” or “donated” time under the FLSA. Any manager who expects or allows his or her staff to put in unrecorded work time, otherwise known as working “off the clock”, is a wage claim or lawsuit waiting to happen. It is simply impossible under the FLSA for an employee to waive the right to receive at least minimum wage and applicable overtime pay for all hours worked.

An agreement to the contrary (other than a wage claim settlement supervised and approved by the DOL) is null, void, and completely unenforceable. Employers must ensure that all non-exempt employees properly record all time worked and that they are paid for all such time. More information on this topic is found in the article on “Hours Worked” in this book. If an employer has true volunteers (generally accepted as possible only with governmental entities and non-profit charitable organizations), it should have all such individuals sign a volunteer agreement (for a sample, see the “Volunteer Agreement” near the end of the companion book “The A-Z of Personnel Policies”).

“We Let Our People Keep Their Own Time Records”

Some employers fail to strictly follow the FLSA’s recordkeeping requirements, found in Part 516 of DOL’s wage and hour regulations (Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations). Among other things, those regulations require employers to maintain

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the schedule within the same workweek to ensure that total hours worked do not exceed 40. However, overtime hours may not be averaged out over a longer period of time except in exceedingly narrow cases of certain employees of residential care facilities, and in the case of certain police, firefighting, and EMS employees. Otherwise, any overtime worked within a workweek must be paid for that workweek.

“They Don’t Get Overtime They’re Contract Labor”

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The difficulty here is not that independent contractors should be getting overtime pay for excessive hours they might put in on a project – they do not get overtime pay, regardless of how many hours they work, since independent contractors are not “employees” and are thus not covered under the FLSA. Rather, the problem occurs when an employer fails to understand that it takes a lot more than a contract to make a worker an independent contractor. Independent contractor status does not depend upon the existence of a contract specifying that the worker is an independent contractor, or upon what the parties might call the relationship, but rather on the underlying nature of the work relationship. Some employers hire temporary workers to help them with a rush period and think that they are “contract labor” or “contract employees”, when in reality such terms are practically meaningless under wage and hour laws and payroll tax laws. If such workers are truly employees, and they work more than 40 hours in a workweek, the employer must pay them overtime pay if they do not qualify for some sort of overtime exemption. There is no way to contract around that; no piece of paper and no amount of explanation will overcome the evidence of an employment relationship if the DOL or the IRS, or a state employment security agency, is examining the situation. For this reason, employers must be very familiar with the various tests for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The IRS test criteria are outlined in Appendix D of the article titled “Independent Contractors / Contract Labor” that appears in the Hiring section of this book.

Source: Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Employer’s Guide

Texas Propane

2026 RATE CARD

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

Texas Propane T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

MAY 2025

Your Guide to the 2025 TPGA Crossroads Propane Expo + Conference

Texas Propane is the official publication of the Texas Propane Gas Association and is the only publication geared exclusively toward the Texas propane industry. Each month, the print and online edition of Texas Propane reach over 1,000 decision making propane industry professionals (including every licensed full-service Texas propane retailer) providing an effective platform to market your products and services. Space is limited. Reserve your spot today.

Rates Per Issue (INCLUDES COLOR) Size

New Propane Commercial Resources Available TPGA Scholarship Application Round Closing Soon TPGA Delegation Returning to Capitol Hill: You're Invited!

12,000+ Print and online edition are distributed to over 12,000 propane industry professionals annually.

Readers Our readers include propane company owners, propane retail managers, and propane industry leaders.

Outside Back Cover Inside Front Cover Inside Back Cover Center Spread Full page 1/2 page 1/3 page 1/4 page

1x

4x

12x

$1,281 $1,222 $1,222 $2,157 $1,132 $674 $493 $393

$1,222 $1,140 $1,140 $2,005 $957 $568 $415 $333

$1,140 $977 $977 $1,727 $824 $491 $358 $286

Advertorials NEW An advertorial gives you a chance to describe your product and service in form of a story in our magazine. Upgrade your ad today to an advertorial for a 20% additional fee. Advertorials are available in full page (900 words), 1/2 page (400), & 1/4 page (200).

Advertisers are responsible for providing written article submission in an editable format. Images are permitted but it will reduce allowable word count. Advertorials are subject to review and acceptance by TPGA and will be labeled as “Sponsored Content”.

Color Included in above rates.

ADVERTISING SALES Joanne Pantaze 512-273-2639 phone jpantaze@zochnet.com email PUBLISHER Kimberly Scheberle Sail House Publishing 512-346-0892 phone kscheberle@austin.rr.com email

Classified Advertising Rates Standard Classified Advertising is available for $2/word. $50 minimum per insertion.

Small logo or photo can be inserted for $10.

Display classifieds are available for $30/column inch (3 column grid format).

Discounts TPGA members receive an additional 5% off all listed rates. All rates are net; no advertising agency discounts available.

Closing Dates Space reservations for both display and classified advertising are due a month before the publication date. For example, a reservation for the February issue is due January 1. Artwork is due 5-10 days after the reservation deadline.

Inside the Industry

Last Chance! TERP AFFP Station Grant Program Only Accepting Applications through Jan. 20, 2026 The Texas Alternative Fuel Facilities Program (AFFP) opens once every two years and just opened this past October. This TCEQ grant program helps fund new or upgraded alternative fuel stations in Texas, including propane autogas fueling stations.

Key Details Grant Amounts: Up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $600,000 Eligible Costs: Planning, design, engineering, storage tanks, dispensing equipment, construction, contractors, and supplies Not Covered: Insurance, salaries, travel, admin expenses, land, existing facilities, or permitting costs Station Type: Public stations receive priority consideration Eligible Areas: Projects must be within Texas’ Clean Transportation Zone counties How It Works Competitive program – not first-come, first-served Scoring Factors: Station location, project objectives, applicant qualifications, & feasibility Application Deadline is January 20, 2026. Project Completion must be done by April 30, 2028. Quarterly and annual reports are required.

Learn More: www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/affp Grant Writing Assistance: heather@americanenergyinstitute.com

In Memoriam Harold Lee Chesser passed away at his home in Hemphill, TX, on October 3, 2025, at the age of 89. For many years, he worked alongside his father and Uncle Louis at family-owned Chesser’s Butane & Lumber Company in Vidor, but eventually retired in 1992 from Continental Grain Company Elevator in Beaumont, TX. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.

On November 19, 2025, at the age of 75, Joe Lynch, passed on from this life peacefully. Joe worked for Merchents Fast Motor Lines in Houston, Texas and later went into the propane business where he serviced many people all over Montgomery County. Our thoughts are with his family.

Paul Reagan Ricks, 83, of Woodville, Texas, passed away December 7, 2025, at his home in Woodville, Texas, surrounded by his family. Paul worked as an operator with Neches Butane and Huntsman Corp. in Port Neches for 34 years. He retired and fulfilled a dream to live in the beautiful forests of Tyler County with his devoted wife of 61 years, Nancy Hart Ricks.

Clifford Allen Tibbetts, Sr., died in Beaumont on December 9, 2025. He was 81. After an honorable discharge from the USAF, Clifford worked with his father at Tibbetts Boatyard in Panama City, Florida. In 1978, Clifford married and accepted a job with Neches Butane, and returned once more to Port Arthur, where he raised his family.

26

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Seeking Applicants for Open Board Positions on the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT)

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is a nonprofit educational and marketing foundation established, operated, and funded by the propane industry.

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is inviting outstanding, motivated, and dedicated propane industry professionals to apply for consideration to serve on the ProCOT Board of Directors for a three-year term.

All director terms—except for officers—are expiring on February 16, 2026.

Members of the Council meet one to three times per year, both virtually and in person, to approve the annual budget and to consider individual project and program proposals.

Requirements Applicants must be propane industry professionals who are actively working in the propane industry in Texas.

Apply online at https://www. propanecounciloftexas.org/who-we-are. The application deadline is February 2, 2026.

Selected terms will begin on February 16, 2026.

Questions?

Please email info@propanecounciloftexas.org or call (800) 325-7427, ext. 2.

Inside the Industry PLAN IS ACTIVE: Report Wait Times

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)’s Propane Logistics Analysis Network (PLAN) is a free tool to help drivers use their daily hours more efficiently and spend less time waiting in line and more time delivering to your bulk plants. PLAN’s data (reported wait times) supports the industry’s case when requesting hours of service waivers from FMCSA. However, if there are no reports, then there is no data. Therefore, your wait times are needed.

Remind your transport drivers that reporting wait time is more helpful than just viewing it, as these submissions can show which terminals are experiencing delays and which are not. PLAN relies on you! Marketers, drivers, dispatchers, terminal managers, and wholesalers play a part. It takes less than a minute to submit a wait time from a mobile device or desktop computer. Your use of PLAN will encourage others to use it, too.

PLAN is available online at https:// plan.npga.org and through an update to the NPGAction app. To get the NPGAction app, visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note PLAN does not represent supply levels, pricing, or other market variables and may be subject to error.

With your help and continued use, this tool will grow and provide timely information to the industry. Please contact us at plan@npga.org with any questions.

WELCOME New TPGA Members RETAILER Reliable Propane Laredo, TX

Propane Construction Incentive Program Update

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has renewed its Propane Construction Research Program (PCRP) for 2026, approving up to $2,250,000 in funding.

Incentives remain capped at $1,000 per project, with eligibility requiring at least two propane appliances—one of which must be a water heater or heating system.

The 2026 PCRP opens March 1, 2026. The only program change for 2026 is the updated $300 incentive for hydronic air handlers.

Learn more at propane.com/pcrp.

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Brent Rogers Regional Sales Manager 662-719-0716 • brogers@propanetank.com January 2026 • Texas Propane

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Classifieds

Texas Propane T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

FOR SALE 2005 International with 2600g Tank Located in Bonham, TX. For more information please contact Jason Robinson Cell: 580-380-1173 Email: jrobinson@mccrawoil.com

2017 F750 with 3000 gal tank Located in Stowell, TX For more information please contact Jeremy Gentile 409-504-4578 hillbutaneco@gmail.com PetroStar Equipment Resources Purchase & Sale Pre-Owned Propane Tanks 5,000 gallons to 90,000 gallons

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Fueling the Conversation:

Propane Days Defends Access, Champions Choice

Crossroads Propane Expo + Conference: Your Guide to 2025 PERC Launches Virtual Reality Learning Modules Propane Provides Quintessential Beach Experience

For Advertising Opportunities

FOR SALE (6) 30,000 gallon, 250 psi, used stubbies (2) 30,000 gallon, 250psi, NEW 2024 Contact: Jim Oliver C: 832-643-7968 petrostar@pdq.net

Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc Formerly, Southern Star Insurance Agency, Inc Cecil Joiner, Risk Manager cecil@garrettinsurance.com 936-756-2222 www.garrettinsurance.com

Please Contact Joanne Pantaze 512-273-2639 jpantaze@zochnet.com

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*Dividends are not guaranteed and past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends. The Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividend plans

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

CALENDAR

JANUARY 2026

1 TPGA Office is Closed for New Year's Day 10 Texas Propane Magazine Ad Deadline 19 TPGA Office is Closed for MLK Day 27-29 NPGA Winter Board of Directors, Committee & Section Meetings Henderson, NV

FEBRUARY

10 Texas Propane Magazine Ad Deadline 11 PERC Council Meeting Virtual

MARCH

2-4 NPGA Spring Technology, Standards & Safety Committee Meeting Tucson, AZ 3-4 TPGA Board & Committee Meetings Kerrville, TX 10 Texas Propane Magazine Ad Deadline 12 NPGA Spring Benchmarking Meeting Long Beach, CA

APRIL

10 Texas Propane Magazine Ad Deadline 19–21 Southeastern & International Propane Expo Nashville, TN

15 NPGA Scholarship Deadline 25-26 National Propane Education & Training Conference Ft. Lauderdale, FL

22 PERC Council Meeting Nashville, TN

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PROPANE with PURPOSE 30

Stock Tank Heater for Ranchers

Ranchers have a lot of chores on their plate as the temperatures dip. And when those temperatures stay below freezing for an extended period, keeping water available for cattle and horses gains importance.

A stock tank heater, powered by propane, is just the ticket for stock tanks that are beyond the reach of electricity.

The Trojan 66B Stock Tank Heater offers a thermostatically controlled heating solution that uses propane instead of electricity in a stock tank. The 66B offers an upgraded, marine-grade powdercoating on the heavy steel casing as well as a control & burner assembly that is designed to stay lit and removed easily for servicing.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

An adjustable brackets allow the 66B to be mounted to most metal, poly, wood and concrete tanks. The Trojan 66B Stock Tank Heater is able to keep a 3-to-5-foot radius of drinkable water around the heater at all times.

The product is suggested for 100 gallon or larger stock tanks and 100 pound or larger pro-

pane tanks. The burner assembly is designed to stay lit and is easily removed for servicing.

AGA listed automatic control for safe operation produces up to 12,400 BTU every hour if needed.

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