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TexasPropane Texas Propane March 2021

Volume 77 No. 3

T H E M AG 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

STORM INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS Discounted Workers Comp Essential Worker Employer Vaccine Education Toolkit Angie’s List

Maintaining the Legacy You’ve Built

You have worked hard to build your business. Pinnacle Propane is committed to preserving your legacy. Have you considered selling your propane business but concerns for your customers and employees are holding you back? At Pinnacle Propane, our values of Customer Service, Integrity, and Safety emphasize providing the best possible experience for our customers and employees. We focus on providing local service to our customers and empowering our employees via competitive pay, a robust beneﬁts package, and advancement opportunities. As you think about next steps, let us work with you to develop a fair purchase plan and a seamless transition so that you can relax and enjoy the results of your eﬀorts.

Bill Webb Senior Vice President Business Development 936-329-1440

Matt Terry Director Business Development 210-560-5418

Call us today for more information and a conﬁdential assessment of your business.

About Pinnacle Propane: Pinnacle Propane is a leading propane distributor in the U.S. and is part of a global group of

LPG companies owned by SHV Energy, the largest dedicated global LPG distributor. Pinnacle Propaneʼs operations include bulk gas storage and delivery, cylinder ﬁlling and distribution, and community gas systems. Learn more at www.pinnaclepropane.com.

TexasPropane March 2021

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

T H E M AG 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

TPGA staff Bill Van Hoy Executive Director bvanhoy@txpropane.com Jackie Mason Education & Marketing Regulatory & Legislative Affairs jmason@txpropane.com Debbie Simpson Executive Assistant Membership Meeting Planner Publication Coordinator dsimpson@txpropane.com

Features Severe Winter Storm in Texas: Insurance Coverage Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Propane Service Corporation

Discounted Workers Comp Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Debbie Simpson 800-392-0023 dsimpson@txpropane.com

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Employers of Essential Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Publisher

PERC Approves Multiple Initiatives & Programs at First Quarter 2021 Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Kim Scheberle Account Manager/Managing Editor Sail House Publishing 512-346-0892 kscheberle@austin.rr.com Joanne Pantaze Advertising Sales 512-273-2639 jpantaze@zochnet.com Kiki Pantaze Art Director 512-924-7566 kpantaze@zochnet.com

Building Your Online Presence to Help Grow Your Business . . . 20 Spring Clean Your Website: Drive Customer Satisfaction . . . . . . 22

Departments Highlights from Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fleet Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 People in Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Highlights from Headquarters

Moving Past Extraordinary Weather Event Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director I hope that you all made it through the unprecedented winter weather that we had a few weeks ago, and have recovered. I know at the time it was difficult to near impossible for some of you to make deliveries to your customers. Many of you remained closed for a few days because of the severe road conditions to protect your employees, and had power and water outages. Some of you stayed open longer than your normal business hours, and some of you even opened on Sunday just to fill cylinders for folks who were in desperate need of propane. We have made it to the other side! In light of the recent winter storms, one

thing business owners might not have been aware of is the different insurance coverages for your commercial property. Dependent on your coverage, businesses may be able to recoup costs due to property damage as well as service and business interruptions due to storms and power outages. PERC met on February 10 to look at many national programs and projects. Starting on page 16 we have included some of the programs that might be of interest to you. The next council meeting will take place virtually on April 22, 2021. This month’s Marketing Minute focuses on Angie’s List. Maybe some of you are already utilizing this program to grow your business; some of you may not have even thought about it. The article gives you perspective on how to make this platform work for you.

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AFFINITY PARTNERS

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2020-2021 TPGA Board of Directors President: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 President Elect: Allen Wells, Baygas, 281-332-2630 Secretary: Harris Baker, HBH Systems, 512-587-8347 Treasurer/Finance Chair: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 District 1 Director: David Collett, Gas and Supply, 903-780-2488 District 1 Alternate: Open District 2 Director: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 District 2 Alternate: Open District 3 Director: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 District 3 Alternate: Open District 4 Director: Danny Meyers, Bellville Butane 979-865-2698 District 4 Alternate: Matt Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 District 5 Director: Ryan Tudyk, Howdy Propane Services, 361-771-1900 District 5 Alternate: Open District 6 Director: Omar Garcia, Mr. G Propane, 956-581-1063 District 6 Alternate: Open District 7 Director: Open District 7 Alternate: Sharon Seal, Bell Hydrogas, 210-533-7103 District 8 Director: Rodney Sladek, Fayetteville Propane, 979-836-7044 District 8 Alternate: Open District 9 Director: Brad Quisenberry, Gene Harris Petroleum, 888-336-4474 District 9 Alternate: Open District 10 Director: Josh Nowlin, McCraw Propane, 9003-583-7481 District 10 Alternate: Chad Gregg, Enderby Gas, 940-482-3225 District 11 Director: Steve Adams, Hardwick LPG, 254-647-3402 District 11 Alternate: Open District 12 Director: Laci Jo Stone, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 District 12 Alternate: Open District 13 Director: Open

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District 13 Alternate: Open District 14 Director: Terry Perez, Perez Propane, 512-318-9780 District 14 Alternate: Open District 15 Director: Don Heinrich, Slaton Gas, 806-828-6501 District 15 Alternate: Open District 16 Director: Open District 16 Alternate: Open 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: Ben Wood, Northwest Propane, 972-247-6121 Vice President: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 Vice President: Matt Terry, SHV-Pinnacle Propane, 210-560-5418 Vice President: Larry Baty, Cadenhead Servis Gas, 800-722-8654 Sr. Vice President: Sr. Vice President: Todd Dorris, Roadrunner Energy, 830-278-2915 Sr. Vice President: Bill Collins, Collins Propane, 972-442-1078 Sr. Vice President: Joe Green, Green’s Blue Flame Gas, 713-462-5414 Assoc. Supplier Service Director: Rusty Walker, Marshall Young Insurance, 817-645-9155 Assoc. Supplier Service Alternate: Steve Johnson, Midstream Transportation, 512-787-3777 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Director: Anna May Etheredge, Bishop Energy, 940-665-4672 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Alternate: Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas Sales, 713-851-6155 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Director: Jim Diehl, Squibb Taylor, 214-357-4591 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Alternate: Joe Ezernack, Meeder Equipment, 903-877-9401 Assoc. At Large Director: J.R. Anderson, Gas Equipment Company, 972-406-3817 Assoc. At Large Alternate: John Becraft, Targa Resources, 817-416-7757 Nominating Chair: Ben Wood, Northwest Propane, 972-247-6121 NPGA Director: Chad Gray, Dixie LP Gas, 254-582-5359

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Feature

Severe Winter Storm in Texas: Insurance Coverage Considerations By Carolyn M. Branthoover & Douglas J. Simmons K&L Gates The winter storm that ravaged Texas [in mid-February] has caused considerable damage and suffering, and it is predicted by some that it will to lead to the largest number of insurance claims resulting from a single event. For a state that is used to dealing with large-scale hurricane disasters, that is a remarkable prediction. For example, press reports estimate that Hurricane Harvey yielded $19 billion in insurance claims. The Texas winter storm of 2021 has the potential to exceed that. 6

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March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Feature

The damage caused by this extreme winter weather event, which has brought with it unprecedented amounts of ice, snow, and freezing temperatures; has been felt by communities, individuals, and businesses all across Texas; and has been compounded by widespread and prolonged power outages. Businesses will need to confront and address a wide range of losses including damage to property caused by collapsed roofs and burst water pipes, interruption of their business caused by the damage to their property, impeded access to property, and the loss of power and other public utility services, as well as extra expenses incurred to resume normal operations. It is important that businesses impacted by this severe winter storm understand their insurance resources and take steps to protect and maximize any insurance recovery in the event that they make a claim. The storm will give rise to a variety of individualized losses, which will vary depending upon each insured business’s particular circumstances. The following checklist provides a general overview of selected issues that may be relevant to the preservation and pursuit of insurance coverage for those losses.

Identifying Possible Coverage

The most common source of insurance coverage for businesses facing losses resulting from the crippling cold weather in Texas will be the commercial property insurance policy that insures the assets of the business. Although insurers issue such coverage under many different standard insurance industry policy forms, some insurers have issued tailored policies to meet a policyholder’s particular risk scenarios. Evaluation of your specific policy language and the law applicable to your policy is critical. Businesses may have first-party coverage that includes the following specific elements: “Property damage” coverage for damage to, or destruction of, any insured property resulting from an insured peril. Insured property is typically defined to include buildings and other structures, equipment, supplies, and other personal property. Typi-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

cally, water damage caused by frozen/burst pipes or collapsed roofs would fit under this coverage. “Business interruption” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder’s loss of earnings or revenue resulting from property damage or loss caused by an insured peril. (The proper quantification of the loss under this coverage sometimes leads to disputes.) “Contingent business interruption” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder for losses, including lost earnings or revenue, as a result of damage to property of a supplier, customer, or some other business partner or entity that leads to that supplier or customer being unable to provide its goods/ services to the policyholder or being unable to take the policyholder’s goods/services. Notably, this coverage typically is written to apply even where the policyholder’s own property has not been damaged. “Attraction property” coverage, which is a sub-category of contingent business interruption coverage that may apply where an insured business - such as a hotel or restaurant - suffers loss of income as a result of damage to a designated “attraction property,” such as a nearby sports venue, theme park, or convention center. “Extra expense” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder for certain extra expenses that it incurs as a result of a loss event in order to resume normal operations to the extent possible and/or mitigate other losses. “Ingress and egress” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder when access to a business premises or location is prevented for a time, e.g., if the access roadway leading to the policyholder’s business has collapsed. “Civil authority” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder for losses arising from an order of a governmental authority that interferes with normal business operations. Similar to contingent business interruption coverage, civil authority coverage may apply even when there is no damage to the policyholder’s own property. “Service interruption” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder for losses related to electric or other power supply interruption. Often this coverage is written to require the outage to be the result of a damage event to the utility provider’s equipment within a certain distance of the policyholder’s property. “Advance payments” by the insurer may be expressly required under the terms of a commercial property policy, even if the full extent of the insured loss is still being investigated and adjusted. Such advance payments can be important where a business cannot afford a protracted adjustment period before receiving funds for repairs and to replace a lost stream of income.

Feature “Claim preparation” coverage, which generally covers the policyholder for the costs associated with compiling, supporting and certifying a claim.

Common Responses

In light of the large number of claims certain to result from the ongoing Texas winter storm, and the tremendous overall value of those claims, insurers can be expected to raise a number of potential limitations or restrictions on coverage. Here are just a few of the common issues that may be raised by insurers: “There was no covered business interruption.” Insurers often take a narrow view of what constitutes a business interruption, sometimes arguing that a complete cessation of operations is necessary to support a claim. The insurer may also dispute the necessity or cause of the interruption. For example, the insurer may argue that at least some part of the interruption or reduction in an insured business was the result of an unrelated business decision by the policyholder, or the consequence of an economic downturn, and it was not caused solely by damaged to insured property as the result of the Texas winter storm.

“The claim involves multiple ‘occurrences’ under the policy, each of which is subject to a separate per-occurrence deductible.” Most policies have a per-occurrence deductible or other self-insurance features that may reduce the amount of coverage available, depending on how the number of occurrences issue is addressed. In particular, there may be disputes about whether the entirety of a business’s loss was the result of a single storm event, or instead involved multiple weather patterns and freeze/thaw cycles that constitute multiple occurrences under the policy.

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Feature

“Some of the property damage is of a type excluded under the policy, such as for ‘flood’.” Although many businesses - particularly large commercial enterprises - have “all risk” policies that explicitly include some measure of coverage for “flood,” many others do not. In the aftermath of some previous natural disasters, some insurers have taken strained positions in an attempt to characterize their policyholders’ water-related damage as excluded “flood” related damage, even with respect to water damage to the interior of a building caused by a burst pipe. “The claim is for losses beyond the allowed recovery period.” Policies sometime include provisions specifying that they only cover loss of income and related expenses for a specified period of time after an insured event occurs. If the policy does not define that period, it may be tied to the time it would take a policyholder, employing reasonable mitigation efforts, to resume normal business operations under the circumstances. In view of the magnitude of the losses in Texas and the number of properties affected, the length of time it will take to repair property and resume normal business operations may be longer than the length of time had the claim been from an isolated event affecting a single facility.

Presenting a Claim

Most policies include specific procedures describing how and when a claim must be presented and documented. Some of these procedures may have timing deadlines associated with them. Failure to timely comply with these procedures may give insurers a basis to attempt to deny an otherwise covered claim. In addition, the manner in which a claim is presented by the policyholder to its insurer can have a significant impact on the ultimate recovery, particularly in the context of limits of liability and what deductibles or self-insured retentions apply. As a result, policyholders should be proactive in assembling an insurance recovery team, including working with accountants and claim professionals as well as insurance coverage counsel. At a minimum, a policyholder should consider the following common, potentially time-sensitive policy provisions: Notice of Loss. Most policies require the insurer be notified “as soon as practicable” or within a specified time period after learn-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

ing of a claim, or sometimes even after learning of circumstances that may lead to a claim. Policyholders should be mindful of such deadlines and also should carefully evaluate whether they may have rights as an insured not only under the policy purchased directly by them, but also under some other policy. (For example, a property owner may have rights to insurance coverage under the policy issued to a business leasing space and operating on the property.) Proof of Loss. Property policies generally require that a policyholder submit a sworn “proof of loss” summarizing the amount and extent of the damage or loss. The policy language may purport to require this proof of loss be submitted within a specified timeframe (e.g., 60 or 90 days), though it is not uncommon for insurers to agree to extend this deadline, if so requested. A policyholder should consider requesting a written agreement extending the time for submission of a proof of loss (and potentially other policy conditions) depending on the nature of the loss. Suit Limitation. Policies often include a “suit limitation” provision, which provides that an action to recover under the policy is barred if not initiated within a certain timeframe (e.g., “within 12 months of the loss”). In some states, these provisions may not be enforceable if they provide for a period less than a statutory limitations period or other minimum amount of time, while in other states, they are enforceable. For example, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.070(a) purports to set a twoyear statutory limit, but businesses should consult counsel to determine what limitations period may be applicable to their claim.

Conclusion

Businesses that have suffered losses because of the Texas winter storm should not overlook the significant financial protection that may be provided through their insurance policies. Businesses should act carefully and proactively - now - to protect and help maximize their coverage. Experienced insurance coverage counsel is often needed to assess the viability and strength of a policyholder’s claim, in dealing with an insurer’s loss adjusters, and in maximizing the policyholder’s potential insurance recovery.

This article is reprinted with permission from the National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 50. Carolyn M. Branthoover is an Arbitration & Litigation Attorney with K&L Gates Law Firm, Pittsburgh. She practices in the area of complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. Carolyn.Branthoover@klgates.com. Douglas J. Simmons is a Litigation Attorney with K&L Gates Law Firm, Pittsburgh. He practices in the areas of commercial and general litigation, with a focus on insurance coverage issues. doug.simmons@klgates.com.

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March 2021 •

Mike Armstrong South Texas

Texas Propane

Feature

Discounted Workers Comp Insurance

In Texas, private employers can usually choose to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage; however, Railroad Commission LP Gas Safety Rule §9.26 requires all LP Gas licensees (except Category P licensees) to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Propane professionals in Texas may be able to take advantage of lower workers’ compensation premiums with one of our

affinity partners. For over 15 years, TPGA has partnered with an insurance provider to offer discounted workers comp insurance through a major carrier for qualifying propane gas professionals in Texas. As part of the program, group participants receive premium discounts. Since 2005, the group has paid out $2.5 million in dividends. All policyholders have the opportunity to earn individual dividends, but as a member of this program, you may qualify for an additional group dividend if the group has favorable results. Safety group dividends are based on the group’s loss history rather than a company’s individual history. Dividends are based on performance and not guaranteed. Additionally, policyholders have access

to more than 2,000 free safety resources, including 400 e-Learning online modules. These are designed to help keep workers safe, as well as provide safety consultations. Texas propane professionals can learn more about the lower premium workers comp insurance program from our affinity partner. See the ad below for contact information.

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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

Call your agent to get a quote or call Curtis Heptner, Master Agent H (940) 397-2771 H Curtis@certessentials.com

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March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Safety Talk

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Employers of Essential Workers

Essential workers perform duties across critical infrastructure sectors and main-

tain the services and functions that U.S. residents depend on daily. Essential work-

ers like the propane industry will soon have access to vaccines to help protect

Visit us online to see the full product line RCSGasGrills.com 14

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Safety Talk them against COVID-19. Some propane professionals over the age of 65 already qualify. The CDC has provided a toolkit to help employers educate their essential workers about this important new prevention tool. This toolkit will help your organization educate employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, address common questions and concerns, and bust vaccine myths. The toolkit contains a variety of resources that you can use virtually or inperson: Introductory letter word – You can send this letter to encourage your branches or other offices to review and use the toolkit materials. Key messages: Use these key messages about the COVID-19 vaccine to educate your employees, giving them facts. Frequently Asked Questions: Use these to help answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine in your workplace. It includes two sets of FAQs. FAQs for employers will answer questions like what are the benefits to having employees vaccinated? Can I require my employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine? and similar questions. There is a separate document targeted with FAQs for employees that you can download as well. PowerPoint Slide Deck: These basic slides about COVID-19 vaccines are for safety meetings within your company. You can use all or part of the set or also include your own organization’s information. Facts about COVID–19 vaccines: This plain-language fact sheet is available in several languages, including Spanish. Company Newsletter content: This short newsletter-style blurb can be widely distributed to share information on COVID-19 vaccines. Letter to your employees: Customize this letter about COVID-19 vaccination to send to your staff. Stickers: Print stickers for employees who have been vaccinated to wear in the workplace. Places like Office Depot sell blank stickers that you can feed through a printer like labels.

Posters for the workplace with CDC logo or add your own logo. Social media messages: if your company is large and you need to get out info to your employees via social media. Additional Information document: Use these to help answer questions for those who may be worried about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. To download the toolkit, search for “essential workers” at the CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

MEMBER

Disability Insurance • Farm & Ranch • Employee Benefits • Long Term Care Financial & Estate Planning • Home & Auto • Life Insurance

Is the missing piece worth

THE RISK

Other propane owners have come to our agency to get help with connecting their insurance pieces: 1) Some have grown frustrated with the lack of timely response and personal service from their current agent.

Josh McAdams

McAdams Propane Co. Midstream Transportation Co. “I cannot say enough about Rusty and his team at Marshall Young Insurance. Not only are their prices highly competitive and comprehensive, but their customer service is outstanding as well. Marshall Young’s team goes above and beyond to exceed our insurance needs.”

2) Many have discovered a missing piece of coverage after meeting with us. 3) Most tell us they have no idea what companies insure their industry and are surprised to learn there are multiple options available.

WWW.MARSHALLYOUNG.COM 401 N. Ridgeway Drive, Cleburne TX 76033 | 817-645-9155

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Feature

Propane Education & Research Council Approves Multiple Initiatives & Programs at First Quarter 2021 Meeting

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) met on February 10, 2021 to take up many national programs and projects. Here are some of the programs and projects that we thought may interest our propane industry readers: SAFETY & TRAINING

Docket 22819: 2021 Learning Management System will help continue PERC’s Online Learning Center. The center includes many FREE online safety and training including technical courses to continue to develop a professional, informed, and skilled workforce and trade allies. Courses include: Hazmat, OSHA, CSR Safety, and other job specific online courses from bobtail to transport to service. RESERARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Docket 22640: Development and UL Certification of a Propane-Fired Burner for a 4 kWe Stirling Generator provides funding for a Sencera proposal to modify for propane usage a prototype Stirling-based 4 kWe electric generator that is presently designed for natural gas. The device will need an updated burner and software. The modified unit will be submitted for UL certification and emissions testing with the intent of meeting or exceeding the CARB DG requirements. Successful UL certification of the 4 kWe generator system will lead to a competi-

tively priced micro-CHP system suitable for the U.S. HVAC market. Docket 22788: Stirling Battery Ecosystem (SBE9000) Using Propane will provide fund for the last three years, Qnergy has deployed hundreds of its low maintenance remote-power systems in oil & gas, telecom, signaling stations, and various battery charging applications. Based on the lessons learned from this activity, Qnergy is now developing a new power generator called PG8000. The new generator will aim at three large underserved markets: (1) Remote EV charging for light weight vehicles, either direct or as a backup to a solar + battery system; (2) Powering remote Telecom towers through battery charging; (3) Backuppower for high-end residential and small commercial buildings. The new generator will have the same reliability and environmental performance as Qnergy’s marketed PG5650 (see brochure) and will be optimized for the above applications that rely on propane. The new generator aims to be lower cost (end user price $20,000 or less), higher power (8-10kW), and best-in class electric and electric + heat efficiency. The scope of work includes: R & D, prototyping, small quantity manufacturing, beta testing, and initial deployment and commercialization. Docket 22803: Techno-economic, feasibility, & life-cycle analysis of re-

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newable propane will carry out a technical, economic, and sustainability analysis for renewable propane production pathways that PERC has identified. The project will encompass two levels of detail: • A deep dive into current and emerging sources of renewable propane (RP) from the renewable diesel (RD) and HEFA-jet manufacturing industries. Included will be technical and economic prospects for changing operating conditions in existing and planned RD production plants to optimize for production of a mix of RD and RP. The analysis will include a detailed determination of feedstock demand and supply-chain issues, emphasizing potential feedstock shortages due to planned refinery re-configurations where fossil crude is being phased out in favor of renewable feedstocks. The sustainability (life-cycle assessment) of these options will be quantitatively explored along with overall economics. • A high-level overview of emerging (near-term) technologies for renewable propane production will be carried out. This analysis will largely focus on technology readiness and feedstock supply issues and will identify other potential nearterm renewable propane sources. Detailed economic and LCA for these pathways will not be carried out. Among the solutions being considered by the propane industry to meet mandates for renewable content is the blending of propane made from bio-based and/or renewable feedstocks, which will simultaneously offset the use of fossil petroleum and positively impact both GHG emissions and carbon intensity. Propane produced from renewable feedstocks such as biomass or waste materials (waste cooking oil, animal fats, waste grease, etc.) is available in the USA but in limited supplies. Accordingly, these mandates place the propane industry at a

Feature significant disadvantage due to the lack of a renewable substitute for fossil propane. Processes for producing renewable propane that is technologically feasible may well prove to be economically infeasible. In this proposed project, PERC will focus on pathways currently in commercial practice such that technical feasibility is proven and where data are available to estimate the path’s economic feasibility. It is important to note that renewable propane will be economically advantaged by subsidies that will be included in the economic analysis carried out in this project. MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Docket 22786: 2021 Integrated Marketing & Communications, one of PERC’s most comprehensive programs, will encompass 2021 programing for all markets, environmental thought leadership, corporate communications, and digital development and reporting. The objective of 2021 messaging will prove that “Propane Can Do That” by providing “Truth in Energy” and educating audiences that propane is the right choice for them to power homes, businesses, farms, and fleets. “Truth in Energy” provides the Environmental Thought Leadership messaging with both hard-hitting, anti-electrification messaging to expose the dirty secrets of electricity and language that boldly asserts propane’s environmental benefits. It also provides the pro-energy choice proof points when demonstrating propane’s ability to work alongside renewables. The statement “Truth in Energy” provides the reason to believe that propane is the right energy choice for every application in every market that PERC is targeting with our messaging by calling out our competitive advantage in that application. It can be assertively linked to the environmental “truth” to those audiences whose environmental impact is of great concern and related to various attributes that other audiences find more compelling. PERC is simply speaking the truth. In addition to supporting the markets and thought leadership with compelling messaging, the docket will fund improvements www.propane.com and develop content for website that engages industry, media, residential consumers, builders, and all markets of propane.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The PERC identifies the priority markets for engagement to grow users and uses. The markets include the existing sectors of agriculture, autogas, commercial, material handling, residential, plus research and development partners; as well as identifies new targets. Docket 22791: Agriculture Market Business Development will help the propane industry engage three primary audiences to grow market share: • Sales Channel Partners (original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and dealers). • Stakeholders, including regulators, researchers, educational organizations, and consultants. • Propane agricultural consumers. Docket 22789: Residential Market Business Development will support activities in the residential market engaging with decision-makers, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and distributors. Activities will continue to drive adoption of current technologies as well as working with partners to develop new technologies and opportunities to increase residential users and uses. PERC will develop “scientific” messaging/briefing packets to support our manufacturing and building partners to value propane market share and use in their products and developments. Emphasis will continue to be placed on the manufactured housing market through sales channel relationships and marketing to manufacturers and sales centers. PERC will pilot a program to have propane-fueled model homes on display at sales centers. PERC will focus on regions that have lost the most market share to all-electric homes and that have marketers who are willing to support the program. Docket 22792: Commercial Market Business Development will support activities much like the residential market docket, but for the commercial building arena. PERC will also engage with commercial building decision-makers, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and distributors. The docket will drive adoption of current technologies also develop opportunities for new partners, new products, and new

markets. PERC will develop “scientific” messaging/briefing packets to support our manufacturing and building partners to value propane market share and use in their products and developments. Increased focus on reaching specifying engineers through continuing education training will be a shift from previous years. Docket 22801: Material Handling Market Business Development will be for business development activities for the material handling forklift market. Busi-

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Feature ness development activities would include building relationships with future and current project partners, sponsorships, memberships, data purchases, consultants, and expenses to various tradeshows. This program results in continued engagement across the market, support for improved propane technologies, and sustained engagement with stakeholders and partners, which results in growth via improved products, strong partnerships, new products, and new market opportunities. Docket 22802: Off-Road Mar-

ket Business Development will be for business development activities for the off-road markets including building relationships with future and current project partners, sponsorships, memberships, data purchases, consultants, and expenses to various tradeshows. This program results in continued engagement across the market, support for new uses and users for propane technologies, and sustained engagement with stakeholders and partners, which results in growth via improved products, strong

partnerships, new products, and new market opportunities. Docket 22796: Autogas Market Business Development will support market engagement, which is critical to autogas business development. PERC staff, along with the help of professional services, work together to develop current autogas markets, identify and engage with new vehicle market opportunities, connect with stakeholders, nurture established relationships with OEM vehicle technology providers, as well as cultivate new partnerships with technology providers in the over-the-road markets. • This docket supports business development activities with local, regional, and national tradeshows and conferences, sponsorships of events, securing speaking opportunities with influential venues, memberships in key associations and coalitions, data acquisition needed for the on-road market, and personal engagement with OEMs providing technology solutions for autogas growth. OTHER PROJECTS

800 309 9733 www.cordellinsurance.com Lance@cordellinsurance.com

Docket 22784: 2021 Market Research & Data Analytics will be for the digitalization of PERC’s core efforts in marketing, communications, and training, which has allowed for the organization to be more responsive to changing needs, and as a consequence (and benefit) has generated a significant amount of rich data that we have yet to fully leverage. The 2021 Market Research & Data Analytics initiative will support an organization-wide effort to establish processes, build capacity, and align existing resources and efforts to better leverage data as a strategic asset and enable the PERC to be the trusted source for information and insights for the propane industry. PERC President & CEO, Tucker Perkins reported on president approvals including a one new presidential grant, Docket 22897 Residential Cooking Pollutants, and Indoor Air Quality, for PERC to join a program to test gas and electric ranges so that our industry can better address consumer concerns about indoor air quality and develop better propane technology for the commercial and residential markets. The Council will meet next on April 22, 2021 virtually.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Marketing Minute

Building Your Online Presence to Help Grow Your Business By Alan Rice, SVP of Sales, Angie’s List

With the start of the new year, it’s a great time to take a fresh look at your business development tactics. What’s working? What is no longer bringing in the business you deserve? As you look at ways to grow your business in 2021 and beyond, here are a few tips to help you get where you want to go: 1. Casting a Wider Net – Your business may be just what homeowners need to get the job done, if only they could find you. Angie’s list is committed to helping our members find the best service pros for their needs so, by showing up there, you can get your business and your name out there to millions of real homeowners looking to do real home improvements. They can search for local pros to do specific jobs, matching you with more real project opportunities than ever before. 2. Earning Legitimate, Non-Anonymous Reviews – Your online reputation is critical to your business. Earn high ratings on finished projects and build credibility through verified reviews and feedback to draw in new customers and grow your business. Our reviews can only come from real customers so homeowners can trust them – and you. 3. Receiving Third-Party Business Validation – Top-rated pros on Angie’s List are recognized as Angie’s List Super Service Award winners, which demonstrates that they have both completed recent projects and done them well enough to earn high ratings and positive reviews. This badge is further proof to your potential customers that you are worth doing business with.

able, and you’d probably prefer to spend it talking to people who are more likely to turn into real customers, right? Once homeowners are at the point of reaching out for project quotes, they’re much more likely to actually hire someone to complete that project. You can provide a quote directly to the homeowner and make sure it’s competitive by checking out cost ranges in our Project Cost Center. 5. Complete, Comprehensive Online Profiles – Before deciding on a pro to use, the first thing most people do is look them up online to make sure they’re legitimate. A complete profile on Angie’s List includes a description of your business, verified reviews, business highlights, service categories and licenses, as well as the ability to showcase finished projects with real images. This profile will help earn the trust of potential customers and make them more comfortable taking the next step. 6. Responsiveness and Fast Service – As soon as you find out about a project opportunity, it’s important to be quick to act. When homeowners are ready to get work done on their home, they appreciate realtime responses, clear and accurate estimates and reliable service. These will all make a

Isn’t that a lot of work?

It can be work, but it takes work to build your business. Fortunately, pros who advertise with Angie’s List can use our mobile app to build and send quotes, request payment on the go, integrate with QuickBooks, manage and communicate with homeowners, and get notified with new opportunities in real-time. We’ll even provide business metrics so you can measure the value of Angie’s List for your business and gather insight into customer behavior. You can also specify exactly which specific services you want to provide and where – down to the zip code. Sounds great!

We think so too. That’s why creating a profile for your business is free and you can ask your customers to start adding positive reviews right away. Once you have enough positive reviews, it will be up to you whether – or how much – you decide to pay in advertising to increase the number of prospective customers coming your way. If you’re interested in joining Angie’s List and growing your business, give us a call at 1-866-843-5478 or visit us online at www.angieslistbusinesscenter.com.

“We are very review focused. We had 6 reviews when we started advertising with Angie’s List; we now have 4,213 reviews and over 40 employees. When booking an appointment, we let the homeowner know we are going to send them a link requesting a review after the job is done. Reviews are discussed in every company meeting. The number of Angie’s List reviews received are included in my technician’s quarterly company reviews. After 10 positive reviews our technicians get a $50 bill.”

4. Real Opportunities and Competitive Quotes – Your time is valu-

difference in your ability to win business, strengthen customer relationships and gain positive reviews and referrals.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

– Service Plus Heating Cooling Plumbing | Indianapolis, IN

Marketing Minute

The importance of a completed profile Which pro would you hire?

Completed Profile NEW! Project Showcase

Certified Pro Image Gallery Super Service Award

Reviews

VS. AN INCOMPLETE PROFILE:

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Business Beat

Spring Clean Your Website: Drive Customer Satisfaction Here are eight tips to spring clean your company website. 1. Is Your Contact Information Up to Date? Company email addresses always seem to be changing as an employee leaves or as we change internet providers. Ensure that the phone, email, physical and mailing address haven’t changed. Ensure customers know if you have moved and if the billing address has changed. Some companies opt not to have their email on their website. That’s fine too. Many opt just to have a contact form, which is standard. Ensure that the contact form is linked to the correct active email as well. Test the contact form, ensure you get the emails. Last month, the association published 12 Reasons Every Business Should Have a Website touting that a site is like a wel-

come mat for your business. But just as important as having a website is maintaining and updating that website.

CALLIE STEWART Marketing Representative o / 713.381.4586 m / 832.264.4775 CBStewart@eprod.com

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

2. Update Your Copyright Date. Each website has a copyright date on the footer. Many web gurus recommend updating the date. Denver Data Web mentions,

www.enterpriseproducts.com

Business Beat “Seeing an old copyright date on a website can elicit similar feelings to seeing an expiration date on your favorite snack package: you’ll still probably eat it (or at least consider it), but you might ask yourself how old is too old? Although a lot of your site visitors might not scroll that far down the page, if any of them do and see an old year, they’ll interpret this as you are neglecting your website, your audience, and your business image.” 3. Link to Your Company Social Media Accounts. Is your company on social media? Ensure all your social media is linked so your customers can find you on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or whatever social platforms your company has a profile. 4. Broken Links Can Hurt Your Web Ranking. It’s easy to link to an article, news story, or other external content. Sometimes that content is short-term and may no longer be online or archived. You can type your URL into a broken link finder like www.brokenlinkcheck.com to find and fix broken links. Broken links can negatively impact your web ranking, where you appear when someone googles propane company and the city they are in. 5. Test Drive Your Website. Ensure all components are in working order, especially if you have features like bill pay or chat, and other website features. Website functionality is key. Ask an employee or family member, who might not be as familiar with the site, to give it a good test drive. They might find holes that aren’t apparent to you. 6. Refresh Content. One thing many SEO and web marketing companies suggest is periodically refreshing web content and images. Never use images from other websites or off of Google without permission. Some companies have found themselves in hot water because some images are licensed. Need propane-specific images? PERC can do that. As part of their Propane Can Do That campaign, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has an abundance of images for the propane industry’s consumer sectors from residential to agricultural. Browse and download images at https://propane. com/resource-catalog/.

7. Personalize Your Website. Make sure the customer knows who your company is, no matter how big or small you are. Add a personal touch or story and company photos.

propane service? Or do you have great Facebook or Google reviews? You can reference and post a few of these on your website to showcase your company’s customer service. Don’t be shy about asking longtime clients for a review you can publish. Many customers are glad to help companies they feel strongly about.

8. Customer Testimonials. Do you have customers who just rave about your

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March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Fleet Safety

Private Bridge Crossings

You may find private bridges where a private road or driveway crosses a river, stream or other waterway. Over the years, several private bridges have been damaged by trucks driving over them. Damage can range from a minor crack

to the floor boards to major structural damage. In some cases, trucks have fallen through and overturned, causing major damage to the bridge, truck, driver, and the environment. Many of the private bridges that are

crossed each year were most likely built many years or decades ago. If possible, the bridge’s vehicle weight rating should be determined before crossing. If this can’t be done, a company representative should at least examine the bridge with the customer to observe the general condition and determine if it safe to drive over. Vehicles were likely much smaller in size and weight when most private bridges were built. Are you required to drive over a private bridge? No. You are not required to drive over a bridge that you think is unsafe to cross. Most municipalities, for example, do not require an employee to drive across a bridge that he thinks is unsafe. Federal, state and county laws

The Federal Highway Administra-

FEATURING SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR LP GAS DEALERS

• Worker’s Compensation • General Liability • Business Auto Insurance • Property • Commercial Umbrella

Building and Maintaining Confidence in the Insurance Industry since 1949

Member

Contact John S. Porter, CIC Mark D. VanDover, CIC Miles T. McFann Rhonda Wood

1305 South First Street • Lufkin, Texas (936) 634-3326 • 1-800-223-1289 Emails: john.porter@lumbermen.net • mark.vandover@lumbermen.net mmcfann@austin.rr.com • rhonda-wood@lumbermen.net • www.lumbermen.net 24

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Fleet Safety tion (FHWA) has no legal authority to require private bridge owners to inspect and maintain their bridges. The FHWA encourages, but does not require, owners of private bridges to follow the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some states or counties may have standards and codes. Inspections – Load Ratings

Your company is encouraged to visually inspect any private bridges it has not crossed before. Before making deliveries to a new customer, consider asking if they have any unique conditions – such as a private bridge – on their property. Ask the customer if and when they had an inspection performed and if the bridge has a load rating or axle limit posting. A private bridge that has been driven over previously may not always be safe. The bridge will age every year, the structural integrity can deteriorate, and factors such as flooding and heavy vehicle use can cause additional damage. Don’t let the sale of a product become more important than the safety of the driver, other people, or the environment. Be cautious. Below is a sample photo showing a vehicle weight rating.

Experts at delivering QUALITY every time.

Flooding Effects

You may have crossed a bridge successfully for the past few deliveries, but what happens in the event of heavy rain and flooding? The force of water running under or over the bridge may cause extensive damage, much of which cannot be seen from above the bridge. If there is flooding or major rain fall, consider what damage it may have done to the bridge by getting out, taking a look at it and ascertaining its condition before crossing. Bridges with wood planks, metal, or concrete can deteriorate and shift with heavy rains. If you have any concerns, stop and before crossing, ask the homeowner to have a qualified inspector look at the bridge. This material is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be a representation of coverage that may exist in any particular situation under a policy issued by one of the companies within Crum & Forster. This material was developed as a general guide to safety from sources believed to be reliable and is not intended to provide legal, technical or other professional advice.

Visit Us Online: www.propanetank.com

TRUSTED & BEST

Quality | Customer Service | Delivery | People Warranty | Distribution Network | Inventory Quality is more than just our name. We strive each and every day to provide our valued customers with the absolute best products and services available. We are family owned and appreciate the relationship we have with our customers. When you want the best...choose QUALITY.

HOME OFFICE 2914 U.S. 61 Cleveland, MS 38732 800-345-2495 OHIO LOCATION 721 Graham Drive Fremont, OH 43420 419-334-2664 UTAH LOCATION 5601 Axel Park Rd. West Jordan, UT 84081 801-280-1133

Aboveground | Underground | Above/Underground Dispenser | Anhydrous Ammonia March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Inside the Industry

People in Propane Stan Mallory, 82, of Mineola, passed away on January 24, 2021. Mr. Mallory’s family moved to Mineola when Stan was 12, where the family owned a general appliance goods store and butane business. Mallory’s would stay in business throughout East and North Texas for the next 63 years. The propane business flourished, eventually expanding to locations in Tyler, Lindale, Whitewright, Dallas and Greenville. Mr. Mallory was very involved in civic duties, serving on the Mineola school board, as president of the Rotary Club and president of the Mineola City Cemetery board. He was also director of the Mineola National Bank, served on the ACU Advisory Board, and was a deacon at the Broad Street Church of Christ. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please donate to the West Erwin Church of Christ Building Fund, 420 West Erwin St, Tyler, TX 75702. Bobby L. Holly, 72, passed away on February 13. Mr. Holly served in the US Army in Vietnam. After marrying he worked as a painter/sandblaster for Brown and Root for 25 plus years, and later retired from Victoria County road and bridge crew. He also worked for Kellogg Propane making deliveries. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, and run trot lines. Bobby was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic church, American Legion, and SPJST.

Propane Presents: Technology Series

Join PERC in this webinar series about propane technologies, and hear directly from OEMs who are leading the future for propane-powered equipment. Sign up for upcoming live presen-

tations and watched archived ones at https://propane.com/propane-presentstechnology-series.

the National Propane Gas Association and Canadian Propane Association, is very proud to announce that the open enrolment period for the 2021 30-Under-30 program is now underway. Applications will be accepted until March 8, 2021. Nomination form and more information can be found at https://www.younggassers.org/ or for questions regarding the program, please contact Steph Hennen at younggassers@gmail.com. U.S. Department of Energy Withdraws Proposal Propane Non-Condensing Furnaces Now Safe

Young Gassers: 30 Under 30

The Young Gassers, in conjunction with

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed to increase the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) to 92%, which can only be accomplished by a condensing furnace. Just recently, the DOE withdrew the proposal that would have impacted thousands of non-condensing furnaces, which include propane. “Non-condensing and condensing gas furnaces use separate and technically distinct types of venting systems. Neither type of furnace can be installed with a venting configuration designed for the other type of furnace according to design certification standards for safety covering gas furnaces, gas installation codes, and safe installation practices. Therefore, in the case of a furnace replacement, a change from a noncondensing to a condensing furnace will require a new venting system for the furnace and may require significant modifications

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Inside the Industry to the venting system of the existing water heater to maintain safe and proper venting of its flue gas. The requirement for a new venting system in a replacement application will force the consumer to incur significant additional costs, which may cause the consumer to switch fuels from propane to an electric alternative,” according to a recent NPGA Reports. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) partnered with other gas associations to petition the Department of Energy not to adopt the proposal and made a case for non-condensing technology highlighting that it is an item protected by the Energy Policy & Conservation Act (EPCA). The act prohibits DOE from adopting regulations that would likely exclude a product type of performance characteristics. NPGA contended that the proposal violates EPCA because it would likely exclude non-condensing furnaces, because these furnaces would not be able to conform to the proposed energy efficiency standard. The U.S. Department of Energy agreed with NPGA’s petition to uphold noncondensing technology as a feature protected by EPCA. SBA Stands Ready to Assist Texas Businesses Affected by the Severe Winter Storms

Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rusk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Taylor, Tom Green, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, Wise, and Wood. A map of affected counties is at https://gis. fema.gov/maps/dec_4586.pdf. In consideration of the public health concerns due to the Coronavirus pandemic, SBA has established a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized

assistance to business owners. Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application. Virtual Business Recovery Center Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT Contact Virtual Center at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov (800) 659-2955 Application can be found at https:// disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

FURTHER

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced. The declaration covers 108 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11, 2021. Counties include: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Gillespie, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Limestone, Lubbock, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Medina, Milam, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Classifieds PetroStar Equipment Resources Purchase & Sale Pre-Owned Propane Tanks 5,000 gallons to 90,000 gallons

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

FOR SALE (2) 30,000 gallon, 250 psi, stubbies (2) 18,000 gallon, 250 psi, skidded, 2008 Contact: Jim Oliver 936-755-6108 petrostar@pdq.net

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CHERYL@LONGHORNPROPANE.COM or WENDY@LONGHORNPROPANE.COM, 830-964-2525

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Calendar MARCH

4-5 2021 Spring Benchmarking Council Meeting Charlotte, NC 7-9 2021 Spring NPGA TS&S Committee Meeting 8 Young Gasser 30 Under 30 Nominations Due 8-12 Work Truck Week Virtual 10 Texas Propane Magazine New Ads Due 14 Daylights Savings Time begins 17-19 Energy Independence Summit Virtual 24 Virtual Texas Energy Day

Index to Advertisers APRIL

2 TPGA & PSC office closed for Good Friday 10 Texas Propane Magazine New Ads Due 22 PERC Council Meeting Virtual

MAY

10 Texas Propane Magazine New Ads Due 13 LPG Charity Fund Bowling Tournament Houston, TX

BLT Tanks 13 Cordell Insurance 18 Cunningham Gas Products 14 Enterprise Gas Products 22 Ferrellgas 17 Fisk Tank Carrier Inc. Outside Back Cover Gas Equipment Company 11 Lone Star Energy Group 12 Longhorn Propane 28 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 24 Marshall Excelsior 19 Marshall Young Insurance 15 Meeder Equipment Co. 5 Pinnacle Propane Inside Front Cover Propane Service Corporation 26 Quality Steel Corporation 25 RegO Products 11 Rural Computer Consultants 23 Westmor Industries 27 White River Distributors 9

March 2021 •

Texas Propane

Propane With Purpose

Propane Snow & Ice Melting Systems

TPGA did not think we would have to or need to cover this topic, but with last months’ arctic blast, we thought this might be on some of your commercial customers’ minds, and hey, maybe even your propane company might want to try out this technology. The Propane Education & Research Council touts that “Snow-and-ice-melting systems offer clear benefits for commercial property owners. They reduce maintenance costs for snow removal and minimize liability by reducing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.” According to Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer, “Hydronic radiant snow- and ice melting systems are a smart way to make easy work of clearing surfaces so people can walk and drive unencumbered during inclement weather. These systems can be effectively used in any exterior area, including stairs, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, parking ramps, loading docks, building entrances, wheelchair access ramps, hospital emergency entrances, and even helipads on rooftops. Almost any area that accumulates snow or ice can benefit from one of these systems.” But it can do more; today’s engineers are thinking outside the box to use radiant snow-melting systems in new and unique ways.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Here are three examples that the Propane Education & Research Council highlighted in a recent article on their site: For instance, Steamboat Springs School District in Colorado keeps kids playing outside year-round with a hydronic radiant system in the playgrounds of Strawberry Park Elementary and Soda Creek Elementary, keeping surfaces safe and dry. The system uses its own gas boiler with hydronic lines that circulate through the concrete to warm it and melt the snow and ice, said Pascal Ginesta, director of maintenance, operations, and transportation for the school district. Also, Klamm Mechanical installed a snow-and-ice-melting system in the concrete platforms of a Northstar Line commuter rail station in Ramsey, Minnesota, to ensure commuters’ safety. Like the Jay Peak Resort in northern Vermont, propane boilers can fuel extensive snow-melting systems cleanly, efficiently, and affordable in more remote applications. Read the full article “Tech Topic: Unique, radiant snow and ice-melting applications” in Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer at https:// www.pmengineer.com/.

WE’RE ALWAYS IMPROVING SO THAT YOU CAN, TOO. EXPLORE ALL THE NEW COURSES AND FEATURES IN THE LEARNING CENTER

We’re constantly adding new safety and sales training courses to the Learning Center. Make sure you’re checking regularly to see what’s new. If you don’t have an account, create one today (it’s free) so you can access everything the Learning Center has to offer — including convenient new features like the ability to print certificates for completed courses directly from the site! Get started at Training.Propane.com.

NEW & IMPROVED: DISPENSING PROPANE SAFELY COURSE This popular course — covering how to safely dispense propane into small cylinders, motorhomes and ASME tanks, and autogas equipment — has a new look, new video content, and a whole new curriculum.

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