June 2022 Texas Propane magazine

TexasPropane Texas Propane June 2022

Volume 78 No. 6

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

2022 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo & Conference Destination San Antonio

PERC Introduces New Workforce Initiatives; Provides for Ongoing Training, Marketing Propane Safety Wall Calendar: Year-Round Duty to Warn

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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 Propane Service Corporation

Debbie Simpson 800-392-0023 sales@propaneservicecorp.com

Features 2022 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo & Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Schedule at a Glace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regulatory Compliance Training Forum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Registration Rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Crossroads Exhibitors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 PERC Meeting Fuels New Workforce Initiatives, Ongoing Training, & 2022 Marketing Campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Work Zone Traffic Huddle Safety Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Publisher

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

Propane Safety Wall Calendar: Year-Round Duty to Warn. . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Calculate Your Gas vs. Electric Savings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Departments Highlights from Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Highlights from Headquarters

2022 CROSSROADS SPONSORS

See You in San Antonio!

Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director The 2022 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference is almost here!

I hope that you and your family will be joining us on the San Antonio Riverwalk for this year’s event. There are lots of interesting and exciting events scheduled this year including training sessions (with RRC continuing education credit), a casino party, a sold out trade show including a silent auction benefitting the scholarship foundation and Kendra Scott trunk show, and a welcome reception with light food and live music on the expo floor as we are partnering with the Southwest Fuel &

Convenience Expo. Your registration will give you access to all of the Crossroads events plus the Southwest Fuel & Convenience trade show, the aforementioned casino party and welcome reception on the expo floor.

See you in San Antonio.

NEW MEMBERS Marketer WTG FUELS MIDLAND, TX

Supplier

Golf Tournament Lunch Provided By

Beer & Wine Pavilion Tote Bags Lanyards

President’s Cocktails

TRANTECH ENERGY Collierville, TN

Refreshments at Expo

AFFINITY PARTNERS

LEnergy ONE ST R Group

2021-2022 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: Bill Collins, Collins Propane, 972-442-1078 District 1 Director: David Collett, Gas and Supply, 903-780-2488 District 1 Alternate: Open District 2 Director: Matt Brock, 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: Sharon Seal, Bell Hydrogas, 210-533-7103 District 7 Alternate: Open 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: Larry Hearn, Yellow Rose Propane, 870-648-8241 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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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

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, Matador Gas, 210-560-5418 Vice President: Larry Baty, Cadenhead Servis Gas, 800-722-8654 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: Kirk McGarrah, Cox2M, 713-897-1740 Assoc. Supplier Service Alternate: Open Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Director: Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas Sales, 713-851-6155 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Alternate: Jim Fulton, 4J Energy, 281-728-8567 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Director: Tracy Wells, Gas Equipment Co, 214-683-8018 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Alternate: Joe Ezernack, Meeder Equipment, 903-877-9401 Assoc. At Large Director: John Becraft, Targa Resources, 817-416-7757 Assoc. At Large Alternate: Crystelle Markley, Superior Energy Systems, 512-944-4177 Nominating Chair: Ben Wood, Northwest Propane, 972-247-6121 NPGA Director: Chad Gray, Dixie LP Gas, 254-582-5359

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2022 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo & Conference Two Shows for the Price of One! Still Time to Register!

If you missed early bird registration you can still register now or onsite. Don’t miss this event on the San Antonio Riverwalk.

At the Expo you will be able to discover the partners and solutions your organization needs. Discover the newest programs, products and services for today’s propane marketer. Plus you will see over 260 booths with fueling equipment and services, foodservice equipment, food items, carwashes, technology and business services.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE June 20

7:00a – 11:00a 11:00a – 5:00p 12:00p – 5:00p 7:00p – 9:00p

Exhibitor move-in – display vehicles at Conv Center Exhibitor move-in – booth spaces at Conv Center Training sessions at Grand Hyatt PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Casino Kick-off Party at Grand Hyatt PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Dinner on your own

June 21

8:00a-1:30p Golf Tournament – Brackenridge Park Golf Course 8:00a – 2:00p Exhibitor move-in at Convention Center 3:00p – 7:00p Expo & Welcome Reception at Convention Center Supplier dinners/on your own

June 22

10:00a-2:30p 2:30p – 6:00p 6:00p-7:00p 7:00p-9:00p

Expo (lunch 11:30a – 12:30p) at Convention Center Exhibitor move-out at Convention Center President’s Cocktail Reception at Grand Hyatt Closing Dinner at Grand Hyatt

Regulatory Compliance Training Forum

The Regulatory Compliance Training Forum will be on Monday, June 20, 2022, 12:00pm – 5:00pm. We will start with lunch, followed by 30–45-minute training sessions from various state and federal government agencies that regulate the propane industry, including the Railroad Commission, Texas Highway Patrol, and others. You will receive continuing education credit from the RRC if you complete all sessions. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Golf Tournament – Targa Resources Beer & Wine Pavilion – Midstream Transportation Tote Bags – Cargas Lanyards – Westmor Industries President’s Cocktail Reception – Longhorn Propane, Quality Steel Expo Hall Refreshments – Rural Computer Consultants June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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Registration Categories & Rates Retail Marketer Full Additional Enrollee Market Expo Only Add Enroll Expo Only Spouse/Sig Other Spouse Expo Only Child Over 12 Child Under 12

Regular/Onsite $395 Regular/Onsite $325 Regular/Onsite $150 Regular/Onsite $75 Regular/Onsite $100 Regular/Onsite $75 Regular/Onsite $100 FREE

Expo

June 21 & 22 Convention Center

The expo is the centerpiece of the event – a one-stop shopping experience to meet all your propane-marketing needs. Dozens of propane suppliers come prepared with their latest trends and greatest technologies, ready to present innovative new ideas to improve your operations, saving you time and money.

PLUS over 260 booths with fueling equipment, foodservice equipment, carwashes, technology and business services from the Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo. 2 shows for 1 price!

Regulatory Pavilion

Brought to you by the Propane Council of Texas Returning to the Expo this year is the Regulatory Pavilion. It gives propane industry professionals an opportunity to engage with state and federal regulators on your questions.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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Elmer L. Atkins Memorial Golf Tournament Sponsored by Targa Resources Brackenridge Park Golf Course 2315 Avenue B San Antonio, TX 78215

June 21 8:00a – 1:00p $150/golfer includes: greens fee, ½ cart, breakfast, lunch & awards Brackenridge Park Golf Course is in the heart of the Alamo City Golf Trail.

Brackenridge is also the new site for the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Host Hotel

Grand Hyatt Riverwalk 600 E Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 Events happening at the Grand Hyatt: Training Sessions Casino Party President’s Cocktail Reception Closing Dinner

Silent Auction Benefitting TPGA Scholarship Foundation TPGA will host our popular, annual silent auction on the expo floor. Auction items include: getaways, sports tickets, jewelry and other highly sought-after items. All proceeds benefit the TPGA Scholarship Foundation.

Kendra Scott Gives Back Trunk Show

TPGA will once again host a Kendra Scott Gives Back Pop-up Event on the expo floor on Wednesday, June 22.

Twenty percent of your purchases from the trunk show will benefit the TPGA Scholarship Foundation 10

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Casino Kick-off Party June 20 7:00p – 9:00p

This fun-filled event features Las Vegas-style games, cocktails and endless opportunities to score big! You will receive 2 drink tickets and there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres. At the Grand Hyatt. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Welcome Reception June 21 7:00p – 9:00p

Stay on the expo floor after the expo hours have closed for some fun. There will be food, cocktails and live music. At the convention center.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Onsite Registration will be held at the Grand Hyatt as follows: June 20 7:00a – 5:00p At the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center: June 21 7:00a – 7:00p June 22 9:00a – 2:00p You will also pick up your badge at this location if you have pre-registered.

Registration Clarifications Child Over 12: not an employee of your propane business.

Past TPGA Presidents who are no longer in the propane business may attend the event for FREE. Recommended Attire: Resort chic, business casual or event appropriate. Meeting room temperatures vary – remember to bring a sweater or jacket.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received in writing by May 31, 2022 will be refunded 50% of their pre-paid registration fee. NO REFUNDS will be given after this date. Refunds will be issued after June 24, 2022.

Go to www.txpropane.com and click on the Alamo on the Home page to register.

If you have issues registering or making your hotel reservations, please contact us at 800.325.7427 or info@txpropane.com.

Crossroads Exhibitors 4J Energy Alliance Auto Gas Blue Cow Software Crum & Forster Exosent Engineering Gas Equipment Co James River Mfg Liquid Controls Marshall Excelsior Metsa NoCell Technologies LSEG PT Risk Management Roush Superior Energy Sys Terravest Industries TransTech Energy Worthington Ind

Advantage Route Systems Ben Spurgin Insurance Cargas Systems Energy Tech Solutions F-Rams Green-LP JARCO Lock America Marshall Young Insurance Midstream Transportation OmegaFlex P3 Propane Quality Steel Rural Computer Consult Targa Resources Tiger Payment Solutions Warm Thoughts Com

AJA Tanks Bergquist Cordell Insurance Enterprise Products Fisk HD Supply Linscot Enterprises Lumbermen’s Ins Martin Gas Sales Mississippi Tank Otodata PERC Ransome Mnfg Squibb Taylor Taurus Systems Total Control Systems Westmor Industries

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Expo + Conference

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PERC News

PERC Meeting Fuels New Workforce Initiatives, Ongoing Training, & 2022 Marketing Campaign The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) met on April 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn., to consider a variety of projects to provide opportunities, growth, training and propane awareness.

The Council approved the following projects and programs: Docket 23360: 2022 Workforce Outreach, $430,000 This docket provides funding for the following projects: 1. The Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention. Annually PERC attends the national FFA convention. For 2022, PERC will shift their focus of promoting propane in agriculture to attendees to workforce recruitment. PERC will provide the attendees, mostly students (farm related and not) and teachers, with information on the career opportunities in the propane industry, information on the Technical School Grant Program, the FFA curriculum, Autogas technician training, and PERC will have propane marketers with Generation Next present at our booth.

2. Technical School Grant Program.

PERC will offer the second year of the Technical School Grant Program (TSGP) to community colleges and technical education facilities. This program would provide approximately 20 schools up to $10,000 grants to upgrade and expand the labs of technical schools and career centers interested in teaching propane curriculum to current and future students.

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3. Allied Partners Pilot Program (APPP). This new project for PERC will help bridge the training gap for propane marketers and their allied partners. PERC will develop an outreach program for the industry and create a roster of trainers who will serve as a grassroots network of trainers for the industry. The goal is for this group to be leveraged by marketers and state entities to train builders, architects, engineers, and realtors on propane solutions in the buildings and homes they influence. PERC will create a curriculum from previously developed courses on the Propane Training Academy, which will be complimented by tools for the presenter and students.

4. The business development team has found success meeting one-on-one with Energy Service Companies (ESCOS) to inform them about energy efficiency programs using propane. These ESCOS provide energy system analysis to both public and private facilities to identify operating costs that could be reduced by upgrading specific systems for better efficiency.

HVAC and more recently m-CHP have been areas of focus for these upgrades. This program will provide for a trainer to target and train ESCOS on the availability and applications for propane in these projects.

Docket 23380: Performance & Emissions of Propane/DME Blends in Spark Ignition Engine, $110,000 This is a funding proposal to work with the University of Michigan to study fundamental ignition behavior with

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

blends of propane and renewable DME. The study will provide the dataset for designing American Society for Testing and Materials standards for propane/ DME blends.

Docket 23383: Manufactured Housing Sales Center Partnership, $120,000 Manufactured housing sales centers have model homes open for customers to see the home they could live in. These are typically all electric models that are cold in the winter. Our desire is to show customers all the propane options they could have in their home, while also letting them shop in a warm model during the winter. Building on a successful test site, PERC will expand to more sales centers throughout the country. The plans, budgets, and recommendations for this program were developed in concert with the learnings from that pilot.

The program will cost share with propane marketers up to $6,000 for each sales center location to install “live burn” homes operating on propane. The program will cover any increase in the cost of the model home going from an electric model to propane. There is very little difference in the cost of acquiring a propane home versus an all-electric model, but this allows for upgrading appliances to a nicer package, adding a gas furnace, upgrading to a tankless water heater if desired, adding fireplaces and items that wouldn’t always be in the base model package that would be shown. PERC will also pay for technician’s time to convert appliances, connect the domestic tank and leak test

PERC News the system. Each marketer (or region of a multi-state marketer) would be limited to two sales centers and a maximum of $12,000 in cost share.

Docket 23361: 2022 Marketing Campaign and Partnership with States, $5,265,623 This project proposes a national consumer awareness campaign for 2022. Complementing PERC’s current integrated communications and marketing activities, this campaign will utilize video, streaming audio, and display banner ads to raise consumer awareness about propane’s key benefits.

A national buy may include an unwired TV buy (airing our ads on both broadcast programming and cable programming), a CBS Mornings buy (airing our ads twice per week for 9 weeks), and a NASCAR buy

(airing 50 spots during the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity series).

Complementing the national buy is an opportunity for state entities like the Propane Council of Texas to opt in and customize a local campaign that could include streaming audio (airing a 0:30 second spots), web banner ads (airing on hundreds of nationally and locally recognized brand safe sites), and digital video ads (airing on YouTube, Roku, Apple TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Netflix and others). States like Texas are asked to match $1 for $2 funding to support a campaign in their state(s).

Docket 23164: Market Data & Research Program, $570,000 The 2022 Market Research & Data Analytics Program initiative will not only

support conducting new analyses and research, but will also leverage past investments in research, new research, and data acquisition by making those insights and data more available and accessible to PERC and other stakeholder audiences.

Docket 23401: 2022 Learning Center, $458,250 The Learning Center has become the central repository and tracking program for all of PERC’s online training programs.

This funding request will support the operations of all of PERC’s online educational programs, upgrades and support, and continue the development of professional, informed, and skilled workforce and trade allies through world-class safety and technical training, by supporting PERC’s educational program’s delivery platform.

June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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PERC News meetings, marketer events and industry trade shows, conduct the Advisory Committee meeting, put on the annual Leadership Summit, as well as hold staff and Council meetings to provide guidance and support of programs and technology development.

Docket 23402: Fire Safety Analysis, $617,000 This project will provide an easy-to-use online tool through a user-friendly web-based application for the completion of the written fire safety analysis (FSA) as required under NFPA 58 and distribution to the AHK. The industry currently has a program that is a PDF. The old FSA compliance program is cumbersome to use and feedback from AHJ’s was compiled with many noting that updating of the program would be very helpful.

Docket 23359: 2022 Industry Engagement, $591,500 The 2022 Industry Engagement docket covers outreach and meeting expenses for 2022 so PERC can participate in state

planned to deliver 110 trained employees over 18 months through three program tiers: certified drivers, CDL certified personnel, service technicians.

New PERC Council Appointment Bill Briggs, Phillips 66 (Houston, TX), was appointed by GPA Midstream Association to replace Jay Furman.

The Council tabled the following funding request:

Docket 23373: National Workforce Outreach Scholarship Program, $594,800 The proposal would have provided scholarships for employee prospects to attend the North Carolina Technical Education Center in Graham, N.C. The program would be open to students from across the country, including Texas, and

Next Meeting The next Council meeting will be on July 19-20, 2022, in Lake Geneva, WI.

Find more PERC news and updates at www.propane.com.

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Fleet Safety

Work Zone Traffic Huddle Safety Meeting LENGTH 10–15 minutes TO PREPARE Read the background information.

BACKGROUND

• When you talk to your employees about driving safely through work zones, they may be surprised to learn that 85 percent of people killed in work zone crashes are motorists. While the safety of the workers in the work zones is predominantly important, many motorists will speed through a work zone or proceed without caution when they do not see workers present in the zone. This lack of caution is problematic for the vehicle occupants.

• Each year approximately 1,000 people die and thousands are injured in work zone crashes.

DISCUSSION

• When you take into account that work zones are set up by cities and counties, a map of our state is covered with dots representing work zones on our highways and streets.

• Have you ever passed through a work zone that seemed unoccupied and thought, “Gee whiz, why don’t they take down these signs and cones so I can get home faster?” It turns out these precautionary devices are helping you stay safe too—not just the workers in the zones.

What conditions in a work zone might make it hazardous for the unconcerned driver?

• loose gravel • narrowing lanes • uneven pavement • vehicles working that make sudden stops or move very slowly What recommendations are made by the state’s department of transportation (DOT) regarding safe driving through work zones?

• Be alert to changing road and traffic conditions; prepare for the unexpected.

• Be patient when delays occur. Aggressive driving increases the danger for everyone.

• Minimize distractions by putting your cell phone and other distracting devices

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Other advantages include: • Auto-wind hose return system • Variable Speed Control maintains consistent walking speed • Adjustable speed to suit driver preference • Auto-push takes the starting hose pull effort off the driver • Premium construction & materials for increased service life and minimal downtime

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OPTIONAL DISCUSSION

• Use these tips from the Texas Department of Insurance to re-cap the discussion: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/safety/workzone-driving-tips.html • Discuss new points mentioned in the tips that have not been covered in the above discussion.

• Have you ever hit a rough patch in a work zone that surprised you? Slowing down is key in avoiding damage to your vehicle.

• Make sure everyone in your safety talk discussion knows how to drive safely through work zones. Remind drivers that they are at risk: 85% of people killed in work zones are motorists.

• Slowing down, following posted work zone speed limits, staying alert, putting the phone away, and obeying flaggers will make the road safer for all its users— both inside and outside of vehicles.

provides increased delivery efficiency and safety while reducing downtime, comp claim injuries and driver fatigue.

Gimbal roller assembly - reduces pulling effort Internal gear drive eliminates chain Designed for minimal maintenance & ease of serviceability Integrated design makes your truck look great!

Do you know what the Move Over/ Slow Down Law requires?

• Drivers must move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted limit when they see flashing blue or amber lights on a DOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, or tow truck stopped on the roadside or shoulder.

• Fines for failure to do so can be pretty high so pay attention!

SUMMARY

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away. Someone’s life may depend on it.

• Obey road side flaggers.

• Plan ahead by leaving a little earlier so you won’t be stressed about being late.

• Slow down when directed to do so by signage or workers present.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

5/3/2022 4:41:41 PM

Information is compliments of the National Safety Council in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation. For more information and traffic huddles, visit txdrivingconcern.org.

June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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ProCOT Corner

Propane Safety Wall Calendar: Year-Round Duty to Warn The Propane Safety Tip & Recipe Wall Calendar, developed and distributed by the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT), has been a propane industry favorite for the last 20 years.

The monthly calendar not only gives company branding 12 months of the year with its customizable drop-down portion where companies can add their name, location information, phone number and website, but it is also a valuable safety tool.

The calendar gives year-round visibility and awareness on important propane safety tips like what to do if you smell gas, interruption of service requirements and other useful safety tips. Each month includes a reminder of the importance of not running out of gas and the months leading up to the winter includes early fill reminders. Even the recipe months are accompanied by at least one safety tip.

Not only give customers year round safety information, but also help customers track important dates like birthdays,

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anniversaries, appointments, as well as church and school functions.

All orders and calendar branding are due no later than Thursday, August 4, 2022.

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Shipping is FREE for Texas destinations.

Go to https://www.propanecounciloftexas.org to get more information, pricing and to complete the order form.

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1-844-763-3344 | www.otodatatankmonitors.com June 2022 • Texas Propane 21

Inside the Industry Propane Autogas Refueling Infrastructure Grants Available through TCEQ

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is currently accepting applications for the Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP). A total of $12 million in grants are available to construct or reconstruct fueling facilities that provide propane autogas and other alternative fuels, including electric charging infrastructure, within the Clean Transportation Zone. At least $4 million of the available grant funding is reserved for small businesses.

Refueling infrastructure grants are available to award up to 50% of the total eligible project cost (with a maximum of $600,000) for fuels like propane autogas.

of Texas (ProCOT) can be your go to for all local, regional, state and federal grants.

Contact ProCOT at (800)325-7427 or at info@propanecounciloftexas.org and ProCOT will put you in touch with our grant expert and grant writer to help you or any of your fleet clients in the Clean Transportation Zone apply for this and other grants.

AFFP grant funding is awarded on a competitive basis with proposed facility location among the items considered.

Applications will be accepted through July 12, 2022.

You can learn more about the AFFP requirements and apply for a grant at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/ terp/ctt.html.

Have questions? The Propane Council

Monthly Autogas Grant Update

2022 is monumental year for grants for propane autogas. Funding opportunities are available on the state and federal level.

Grants are available for light duty trucks, school buses, transit buses, and fueling stations. Grants open throughout the year, and every month in Texas Propane magazine in 2022 we will be sharing grant availability as programs open and close.

Available Grants (at time of printing) • US EPA National Clean School Bus Program OPEN Deadline August 19, 2022 • TCEQ Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) OPEN Deadline July 12, 2022 • TCEQ Seaport and Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program OPEN Deadline November 22, 2022 • TCEQ Statewide Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase Program OPEN Deadline January 7, 2023 Have questions on grants but do not know what grant is right for you or your fleet customers? Contact the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) at info@propanecounciloftexas.org or (800)325-7427.

ProCOT has a grant expert who will provide you with FREE propane grant help, whether it is just general questions or helping you prepare and submit the grant. You can also find grant updates www.procot.org.

Visit the TCEQ TERP table at the 2022 Crossroads Propane Expo on June 21-22, 2022, for more information on Texas vehicle grants.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Inside the Industry The course, Designing to the Edges: Exploring Community-Led Architecture, can help marketers explain propane’s fit to architects, homebuilders, and other construction professionals.

It’s available for propane professionals in the PERC Online Learning Center at https://training.propane.com/.

New Training: Propane Heaters for Pools & Spas

Alongside the booming demand for outdoor living projects, builders and pool and spa specialists are seeing growth in a related product category: pool heating. The Propane Education & Research Council’s latest continuing education course, Propane Heaters for Pools and Spas, explores propane’s use in both residential and commercial pools and spas, and examines the pros and cons of various energy sources used for heating.

“With people spending more time at home in the new normal resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been investing more of their money into their homes and yards,” the course says.

“It won’t come as much surprise, then, that in 2020, the pool, hot tub, and spa industry experienced unmatched growth. And it appears the industry will continue to see similar growth throughout 2021.”

In addition to heating energy sources, the course covers other design and specification considerations for heating pools and spas, including heater size, emissions, heat exchanger types, and more. It’s a great way to get up to speed for building pros receiving increased queries about backyard pools from your clients.

Share the PERC course link with builders and pool and spa specialists.

The course can be accessed at https:// www.hanleywooduniversity.com/search/ propane/.

Designing Homes for Everyone Training Course

A new online education course from PERC highlights propane’s value in a growing trend to create livable spaces for people of all ages, sizes, and capacities, including people who face physical, mental, or economic challenges.

Community-led design, also known as universal design, is an evolution toward

equitable, inclusive, and diverse design.

Propane’s affordability, versatility, and high performance helps make community-led design possible.

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Virtual Propane Homes Teach Homeowners, Builders

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June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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Inside the Industry Propane Home to illustrate the opportunities and advantages of using propane in their project.

The interactive tool developed and available from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) features two propane homes built with different lifestyles in mind, showcasing the energy efficiency and homeowner comfort benefits of building with propane. Or check out the Virtual Commercial Buildings to see how four different building types can benefit from propane technologies.

When you get this question from builders or customers, use the Virtual

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When you put a Lock America lock on a tank, the customer will be calling you to fill it up, or pick it up.”

Contact Your Distributor or Lock America for samples!

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Add the Virtual Propane Home or Virtual Commercial Buildings to your website to create your own professional training area or customer learning center.

It’s a great opportunity for your customers to learn about propane systems in an engaging, interactive way.

Fill out the online form at https:// propane.com/for-my-business/residentialconstruction/interactive-training-module/ get-the-module/to get step-by-step instructions for adding the modules on your website.

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Higher learning beyond lower emissions NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES OF PROPANE There’s always more to learn about what makes propane an environmentally friendly option. Enhance your knowledge with three new courses in the Learning Center, as well as regionspecific snapshots showing how propane produces far less carbon intensity than electricity in residential homes.

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June 2022 •

Texas Propane

25

PERC News

Calculate Your Gas vs. Electric Savings This online tool can help builders and remodelers project costs and emissions for equipment using different energy sources.

The cost and emissions savings estimates aren’t from a crystal ball but from the Energy Planning Analysis Tool (EPAT), an online calculator developed by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI).

The tool was originally developed for

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analysts and policymakers to gain a better understanding of the economic and environmental impact of energy choices. But the powerful data the tool produces can be used by builders and remodelers to demonstrate that mixed-fuel homes can be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

The tool was originally developed in 2007 as a way to better understand the total amount of energy used by homes with different energy sources — a concept known as source energy. Measuring energy use in this way captures the upstream energy used to extract and process fuel, as well as any losses in transmitting that energy.

More recently, the tool’s developers have focused more heavily on the emissions and economic impact of fuel choices, says Erin Bonetti, who manages the tool as principal engineer at GTI. “The tool demonstrates, in almost all parts of the country, a cost savings for using gas for those energy-dense spaceheating and water-heating loads,” says Bryan Cordill, director of residential and commercial business development for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). “So the builder can demonstrate that the mixed-fuel home is cost-effective and a greener, or lower-emissions, home.”

Once their buyers are on board with the benefits of propane, the builder can sell many more options that run on propane, such as fireplaces, gas cooking, standby generators, and outdoor living amenities. “Studies have shown the higher sales price for that all-gas home than the comparable all-electric model because of those features and comforts,” Cordill says.

This year, PERC integrated the tool into its Propane Construction Incentive Program, which offers builders and remodelers up to $1,500 per home for adding propane appliances. Applicants submit a home energy analysis from the

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

EPAT with their application, helping to demonstrate how high-efficiency propane appliances can help homeowners lower their energy costs. Learn more about the program at propane.com/pcip.

GTI has continually added features to EPAT over time, with the latest addition coming this past July 2021.

The new feature uses recent equipment installation cost research from the National Association of Home Builders and National Renewable Energy Laboratory to allow EPAT users to calculate upfront cost savings and simple paybacks for new construction in addition to retrofits. The feature makes the tool even more useful to builders because they can share total cost of ownership figures with their clients.

At the end of 2020, electric grid projections from the EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook were added to the tool, enabling users to look at the costs, emissions and energy of a home out through 2050. This feature includes features to look at the impact of replacing equipment with more efficient alternatives over the life of the home. This is an important feature as the grid changes, especially showing the important role that direct fuel use can continue to play in many parts of the country over the next decades.

Overall, the tool offers a compelling way for construction professionals to understand the true financial and environmental impacts of their energy choices.

There is one important factor the tool is missing: resilience. Having multiple energy-delivery systems can help homes better withstand power outages and disruptive events, making it an important factor when builders and their clients decide about energy — and one that’s difficult to quantify.

Access the Energy Planning Analysis Tool (EPAT) at http://epat.gastechnology.org/.

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5/18/22 12:35 PM

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Regulatory Navigation

Networking opportunities throughout the year at Association events. Exclusive content delivered weekly and monthly.

Discounts and Freebies. Scholarship program.

Our members are in the know about upcoming regulatory changes, future enforcement actions and other important information, through the Monthly Newsletter, Monday Morning Messenger, and Regulatory Alerts.

Advocacy Each legislative session TPGA is at the Texas Capitol monitoring industry issues and ensuring your interests are protected. In addition, we introduce legislation to help you achieve your business goals and objectives.

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)

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Texas Propane Gas Association 800-325-7427 info@txpropane.com www.txpropane.com

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Discounts on: Your Emergency Response Number Compliance & promotional merchandise from PSC Workers Compensation Insurance from LSEG Credit Card Processing

TO PLACE AN AD Contact Joanne Pantaze 512-273-2639 phone jpantaze@zochnet.com email

Index to Advertisers

Calendar JUNE

8-10 NPGA Annual & Board of Directors Meetings Washington DC 10 Texas Propane magazine Advertising & classified deadline 20-22 2022 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference San Antonio, TX

JULY

4 TPGA & PSC office closed for Independence Day 10 Texas Propane magazine Advertising & classified deadline 12 Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) Grant Applications due to TCEQ 14-15 Summer Benchmarking Council Meeting Baltimore, MD

19–20 PERC Council Meeting Lake Geneva, WI 25 PERC Train the Trainer Tampa, FL

Alliance AutoGas 16 ANOVA Inside Front Cover Bergquist 18 BLT Tanks 13 Cunningham Gas Products 5 Ferrellgas 19

AUGUST

4 ProCOT Propane Safety Tip & Recipe Calendar Deadline 10 Texas Propane magazine Advertising & classified deadline 19 EPA National Clean School Bus Program Deadline

Fisk Tank Carrier Inc. Outside Back Cover Gas Equipment Company 5 Lock America 24 Lone Star Energy Group 31 Longhorn Propane 17 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 31 Marshall Young Insurance 23 Meeder Equipment Co. 15

SEPTEMBER

26-27 Propane Emergencies Training College Station, TX

Otodata 21 Propane Plus LLC 12 Propane Service Corporation 22 Rural Computer Consultants 24 Tarantin Industries 26 Warm Thoughts Communications 27 White River Distributors 20

June 2022 •

Texas Propane

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Propane With Purpose

Small Texas Community Turns to Propane to Keep the Taps Running

Photo By Renelibrary - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64835466

“

We’ll be able to serve the community with water. You may not have electricity, but at least you’ll have running water.

Roudy Blasingame, Vega mayor

As we enter the hot summer season, which may be a hotter than average year, we are already getting reminders that the Texas power grid is being strained.

“

“The wells that we have out here just south of town pump the water into town,” said Roudy Blasingame, Mayor of Vega.

The city of Vega, located in the Texas Panhandle, has added propane to its arsenal of tools after last year’s deadly winter storm left the town without power and water.

The City of Vega has two storage tanks that can hold up to 530,000 gallons of water. In the event of a prolonged power outage, the city is putting in a generator system to power two wells so it can provide water to its customers.

The rural community has invested in a propane generator system to ensure groundwater is available in the event that the electric system fails for whatever reason.

“We’ll be able to serve the community with water. You may not have electricity, but at least you’ll have running water,” Blasingame said. Domestically and commercially the city has 495 hookups.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

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