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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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/.

Virtual Propane Homes Teach Homeowners, Builders

What truly distinguishes a propane home from an all-electric home?

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. 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.

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.”

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

One key code for all yourlocks!

Fill Valve Lock POLock

1. Unscrew and remove the plastic cap. 2. Screw on the new Lock

America cap. 3. Snap on the new Lock

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1. Disconnect the gas line. 2. Screw in the new Lock America valve plug. 3. Snap on the new Lock America locking cap.

Here’s what one customer says: “To truly secure our customers’ tanks, we turned to Lock America’s Fill Valve and POLocks. 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!

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.

EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF

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FOR FUEL PEOPLE BY FUEL PEOPLE

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.

Start learning now at propane.com/providers