TexasPropane Texas Propane October 2021
Volume 77 No. 10
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
Crossroads Conference Roundup Texas Launches New Propane Advertising Campaign
Get to Know TPGA President Josh McAdams
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 October 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 Propane Service Corporation
Features 2021 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference Roundup. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Debbie Simpson 800-392-0023 dsimpson@txpropane.com
Getting to Know TPGA President Josh McAdams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Publisher
Gas Leaks and Early Warning Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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
Texas Launches New Propane Advertising Campaign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Old Farmer’s Almanac Calls for Colder than Usual Winter in Texas . . . 16
Don’t Miss Out on Propane Appliance Rebates for Your Customers. . . 22
Departments Highlights from Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ProCOT Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 People in Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Highlights from Headquarters
Thank You for Great Crossroads Event Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director Once again on behalf of the TPGA membership, I want to thank our sponsors and exhibitors that helped make the 2021 Crossroads event a great success. Staff are currently working on the 2022 event, which will be in June in San Antonio. Staff are also busy securing meeting space and hotel rooms for upcoming TPGA board and committee meetings. The first one will in November here in Austin. Watch for more information about the meetings. ProCOT was invited to partner with PERC to participate in their “Propane
for Everyone” brand campaign by placing programmatic web ads, social media and digital radio ads to reach consumers with a propane awareness campaign. These ads will target up to 9 million Texans. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for colder than usual winter here in Texas. Its weather predictions are about 80% accurate, so now is the time to prepare. More information, and maybe a clarification, on the pilot propane appliance rebate program from ProCOT is included in this issue. Be sure your staff are up to speed on this program so you can help your customers.
AFFINITY PARTNERS
LEnergy ONE ST R Group
2021 CROSSROADS SPONSORS Golf Tournament Tote Bags Lanyards
Expo Hall Refreshments President’s Cocktail Reception
Partner Propane Genius Bar Beer & Wine Pavilion
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: 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 Seale, 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, 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: Kirk McGarrah, Cox2M, 713-897-1740 Assoc. Supplier Service Alternate: Steve Johnson, Midstream Transportation, 512-787-3777 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
Feature
2021 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference Roundup Thank you to all of those who participated and attended this year’s event. Special thanks to all of the sponsors that helped make the 2021 Crossroads a great experience for everyone! This year’s event proved again to be the event for doing business as many vendors reported brisk sales at the event. Representatives from over 60 retail marketer companies from all over Texas – some who had not ever been to the annual conference or had not been in many, many years – came together with vendors from all sectors of the propane industry, and all parts of the USA, to see new innovations and catch up with friends and colleagues. Known for being one of the best expos of the year, this one certainly didn’t disappoint; everything is bigger, better and hotter in Texas. 6
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
Training at Crossroads
The Railroad Commission of Texas brought back the 6.1 Managers Continuing Education course to Crossroads. Everyone attending the class received credit. PERC discussed the new addition of skills assessment added to the Learning Center and their new brand rollout in their session. U.S. DOT held a Q&A on the top citations at propane facilities. Good info to know!
Gala
During the in-person Annual Business meeting (a part of the Gala) the TPGA membership elected new supplier directors and alternates to the TPGA Board of Directors. When you get a chance, thank the board for their commitment of service to the association. A very large wagon (children not included) was auctioned off live during the Gala with the proceeds benefitting the TPGA Scholarship Foundation. The winning bid was from Danny and Dena Meyers of Bellville Butane. Thank you for your generosity!
Expo & Regulatory Pavilion
The American Bank Center was filled with vendors from all sectors of the propane industry – wholesalers, trucks, tanks, equipment, grills, software, insurance agencies – everything you need. Many people stopped by the Regulatory Pavilion during the expo to have their questions answered. Agencies on-hand were the Railroad Commission, U.S. DOT, and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Texas Highway Patrol. October 2021 •
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Training at Crossroads The Railroad Commission of Texas brought back the 6.1 Managers Continuing Education course to Crossroads. Everyone attending the class received credit. PERC discussed the new addition of skills assessment added to the Learning Center and their new brand rollout in their session. PHMSA held a Q&A on the top citations at propane facilities. Good info to know!
Gala During the in-person Annual Business meeting (a part of the Gala) the TPGA membership elected new supplier directors and alternates to the TPGA Board of Directors. When you get a chance, thank the board for their commitment of service to the association. A very large wagon (children not included) was auctioned off live during the Gala with the proceeds benefitting the TPGA Scholarship Foundation. The winning bid was from Danny and Dena Meyers of Bellville Butane. Thank you for your generosity!
Expo & Regulatory Pavilion The American Bank Center was filled with vendors from all sectors of the propane industry – wholesalers, trucks, tanks, equipment, grills, software, insurance agencies – everything you need. Many people stopped by the Regulatory Pavilion during the expo to have their questions answered. Agencies on-hand were the Railroad Commission, PHMSA, and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Texas Highway Patrol.
Elmer L. Atkins Memorial Golf Tournament Sponsored by Targa Resources This year’s tournament was played at the Lozano Golf Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Water is featured on most holes for a spectacular setting with plenty of bunkers to make things interesting. The winning team for 2021 is Justin Maass, Ray Maass, Marc Beck, and Lance Thompson (not pictured).
Fishing Excursion In the early morning hours of Friday, August 13, sleepy but excited participants boarded boats from Come and Take It Sport Fishing out of Corpus Christi for the half-day fishing excursion. It was a good day on the water, and they had a lot of fun.
Scholarship TPGA hosted two scholarship fundraisers at the 2021 Crossroads event – the annual silent auction and a Kendra Scott jewelry trunk show on the expo floor. Between the two, the association’s scholarship foundation raised $_______. A special thank you to our scholarship auction donors: 4J Energy, AJA Tanks, Allen Wells, Galveston Island CVB, Gas Equipment Company, Home Depot Pro, Houston Astros, Moody Gardens Resort & Spa, Pros4Care, Squibb Taylor, Targa Resources, and Yellow Rose Propane. To view or download photos, go to txpropane.smugmug.com. It’s FREE!\
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
Elmer L. Atkins Memorial Golf Tournament Sponsored by Targa Resources
This year’s tournament was played at the Lozano Golf Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Water is featured on most holes for a spectacular setting with plenty of bunkers to make things interesting. The winning team for 2021 is Justin Maass, Ray Maass, Marc Beck, and Lance Thompson (not pictured).
Fishing Excursion
In the early morning hours of Friday, August 13, sleepy but excited participants boarded boats from Come and Take It Sport Fishing out of Corpus Christi for the half-day fishing excursion. It was a good day on the water, and they had a lot of fun.
Scholarship
TPGA hosted two scholarship fundraisers at the 2021 Crossroads event – the annual silent auction and a Kendra Scott jewelry trunk show on the expo floor.
A special thank you to our scholarship auction donors: 4J Energy, AJA Tanks, Allen & Debra Wells, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gas Equipment Company, Home Depot Pro, Houston Astros, Moody Gardens Resort & Spa, Pros4Care, Squibb Taylor, Targa Resources, and Yellow Rose Propane. October 2021 •
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To view or download photos, go to txpropane.smugmug.com. It’s FREE!
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
Thank You to Our Exhibitors Digital Dispatcher Trans Tech Energy, LLC BAM Propane ADD Systems Lock America, Inc. Crum & Forster Rural Computer Consultants Cargas Systems Superior Energy Systems Quality Steel Bergquist Inc Marshall Excelsior/BASE Eng Tiger Payment Solutions Warm Thoughts Communications Metsa Tanks ICOM/UPAS/Nat G Home Depot Pro
Rinnai America Corporation Roush CleanTech Sacramento Energy Lone Star Energy Group F-Rams, Inc. Energy Worldnet Taurus Systems Inc. Arcosa Tank Martin Gas Sales Cordell & Company Insurance Cactus Tanks Nocell Technologies 2FuelTech/Hino Gas Sales OmegaFlex Tauber Oil AJA Tanks, LLC Targa Resources
Enterprise Products Gas Equipment Company Meeder Equipment Co. Lumbermen’s Insurance Marshall Young Insurance Westmor Industries Exosent Engineering, LLC Green-LP Ransome Manufacturing Fisk Tank Carrier Otodata JARCO 4J Energy, LLC Mississippi Tank Company Beer & Wine Pavilion Midstream Transportation Propane Genius Bar PERC
2022 CROSSROADS PROPANE EXPO & CONF In Conjunction With
October 2021 •
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Feature
Getting to Know TPGA President
Josh McAdams ams, started McAdams Propane. My parents and I started Midstream. How many locations? McAdams Propane has seven locations. Midstream has two locations. How many people employed? McAdams: 45 Midstream: 55 What is your role in your companies? McAdams: Vice President Midstream: Operating Partner Years in the propane industry: 24
Tell us about your company. How long in business? McAdams Propane Company was started in 1996 by purchasing a 2-truck company in Center, TX. Midstream
FALL MEETINGS
Transportation was started in 2014 with one truck Who started the company? My parents, Lisa and Billy Bob McAd-
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE NOVEMBER 9
TPGA BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATON ON THE MEETINGS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS
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10:00a - 12:00p Committee Meetings 12:00p - 1:30p Lunch on your own 1:30p - 6:00p Committee Meetings 7:00p Dinner TBD NOVEMBER 10 9:00a - 12:00p Board of Directors
NOV 9 - 10, 2021 AUSTIN, TX
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
This former TPGA scholarship recipient: graduated from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2006. What are some previous jobs/roles that you think help you with your current role as TPGA President? I have had the opportunity to be able to work all the way through the value chain of propane in my career, from the supply and logistics side, all the way down to driving a truck and piping a house for the end user. These experiences help me relate to the largest supplier all the way to the single truck operators who make up our membership. What is the most memorable moment of your presidency thus far? Experiencing a year without a convention, I’ve been coming to the summer shows most of my life, and don’t remember a year without one. I’m glad we were able to have the convention this year. What do you hope to achieve before the end of your presidential term? The main goal is to work with the Railroad Commission from an administrative and operational standpoint to streamline their processes. One way is I want to help
the marketers and transporters have an easier experience training new employees, continuing education for existing employees, and get their trucks licensed through a portal so that the membership can see exactly where any request from the RRC is within the system, and when it can be expected to be completed so they can continue operations and stay in compliance. I think we have made some good strides in this direction, as of late, but we need to get the job done. Why do you think it is important that propane industry become members of the Texas Propane Gas Association? I think the TPGA is important because no matter the size of your business, if you are in the association you have the same voice, and the voice is a strong one that promotes our industry, and helps achieve some really good things. How has the Texas Propane Gas Association helped your company over the years? Through the years, TPGA has taught me a lot of things. Each quarterly meeting is almost like a benchmarking event, you are able to sit around with folks from all over the state who aren’t competitors of yours, and learn new ways to do things. TPGA has also helped our companies battle some municipalities who aren’t knowledgeable about propane, and therefore don’t want tanks to be installed. What is one piece of propane or trucking technology you cannot live without in day to day business? Absolutely my truck tracking system. I can see any truck in the fleet from my phone. Also, electronic service and delivery software, and getting past the days of posting each delivery by hand has definitely helped. What changes do you foresee happening in the propane industry in upcoming years? Supply. The supply environment has already changed in Texas just since last year and I believe will continue to change. Export terminals on the Texas coast have become and will continue to be a large player in our inventory levels each year. We have experienced several years of lower prices which help all the marketers and their cus-
tomers; however, we are seeing prices rising again as this is printed because of supply. Additional words of wisdom or insights for the propane industry: As long as we take care of our customers and our industry, they will take care of us. Tell us about yourself and family.
I’m a fourth generation industry guy. My wife, Sharisse, our daughters Aryn (4) and Sullivan (2) all live in Center, Texas. My parents and business partners Billy Bob and Lisa McAdams also reside in Center. When you are not working, what are your favorite pastimes? Hanging out at the lake, playing golf, and hunting.
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October 2021 •
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Feature
Texas Launches New Propane Advertising Campaign
pane Energy for Everyone campaign on a state level for Texas. PERC is offering states that participate a 2-for-1 match. For every dollar Texas invests, PERC invests $2 more for a state media buy with a maximum of $100,000 in matching funds for Texas. ProCOT will invest $50,000 and get $100,000 from PERC for a total media buy of $150,000. Campaign Timeline
The digital campaign will span 12 weeks and cover all 254 counties. October 1 -31, 2021 November 1-30, 2021 December 1-24, 2021 About the Campaign
ProCOT in partnership with PERC will place programmatic web ads, social media, and digital radio to reach consumers with this propane awareness campaign. Our programmatic ads will target up to 9 million Texans. These web ads will “In the long list of benefits propane has over its competitors, the most critical may be its availability to all who deserve access to energy: Everyone.” This message from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which recently launched the Propane Energy for Everyone brand, will be at the center as it kicks off a national advertising campaign this month with the help of its state counterparts. PERC has invited the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) to participate in advertising efforts by joining in a media campaign to augment the national Pro-
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
follow web users in Texas homeowners on top-tier sites across the internet, optimized to users who engage with the ad. The site does not matter, it’s based on where they live (their IP address). The ads will drive Texans to www.procot. org/energyforeveryone where they can learn more about propane. Digital audio is cost-effective with a better return on investment than traditional radio or Sirius satellite radio that you think of listening to when you are in your car. People listen to music and radio in a variety of ways, from running to working to cooking and cleaning. According to Audiencex.com, digital radio boasts more focused and engaged listeners. There is no dead air with digital radio. It is not limited to airing drive times/peak listening time and hoping someone hears it. Ad served per Texas user, triggered by pressing play on Pandora or commands like: “HeySiri”play96.7FM/1310AMTheTicket “Hey Google” play 99.7FM KCBY “Hey Alexa” play 97.1FM Country Legends
BAM Propane is committed to servicing your propane needs with supply availability at all the major supply points across Texas. We market Polygrade Propylene, Refrigerant Grade Propane in addition to HD-5. Please contact us for more information:
Ads are heard as listeners stream their favorite podcasts or as they play local stations on their desktop, as well as apps like iHeartRadio on their phones. PERC and ProCOT hopes to reach up to 4.1 million Texans through premium digital streaming outlets with a :30 ad wherever they are listening to their audio content. Social media has become a critical component to advertising. The United States has over 221 million Facebook users, which far exceeds U.S. users on any other social platform. In America, there are more users on Facebook than Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, or LinkedIn. According to TechJury.net, Texas comes in third with the most Facebook users in the United States with over 11 million Texans registered. The average Facebook user is on the platform 30+ minutes each day. With 70% of users logging in 1X per day. That is why PERC and ProCOT have chosen to use Facebook as our social medium for this campaign. Through our Propane Can Do That Texas Facebook page, ProCOT hopes to reach up to 5.6 million Texans with social media propane awareness ads. The full Texas campaign with web, audio and socials media ads is estimated to reach a total of 18.8 million Texans.
Jeff Severson Marketing Manager (817) 738-8224 (Office) (817) 894-6126 (Mobile)
Propane Energy for Everyone Video
Have you seen it? The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has launched a new video. Use the new video on your website and on social media to promote Propane, Energy for Everyone. Download the video at https://propane. com/resource-catalog/resources/propaneenergy-for-everyone-brand-video. October 2021 •
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Feature
Old Farmer’s Almanac Calls for Colder than Usual Winter in Texas
For more than 230 years, the Old Farmers’ Almanac has published long-term weather forecasts that many tout as remarkably precise. And while many consider the Almanac “useful, with a pleasant degree of humor,” the weather forecasts have been about 80 percent accurate
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throughout the years, which is considered a high mark. The 2020 Almanac predicted: “this coming winter Texas weather will mix intervals of tranquil weather with occasional shots of cold and wintry precipitation, but overall may seem to be a bit
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
“temperamental.” That last year’s winter was ‘tempermental” is an understatement. So what does the 2022 Almanac have in store for Texas and the U.S. as a whole this winter? A whole lot of shivering! The Texas/Oklahoma regional forecast says that winter will be colder than normal, especially in the south, with the coldest periods in mid- to late November, mid- and late December, and early and late January. Precipitation will be below normal in the north and above normal in the south. Snowfall will be near normal, with the best chances for snow in early and late January, mainly in the north. How does the rest of the year fare? April and May are predicted to be warmer than normal, with rainfall below normal in the north and above normal in the south. Summer will be hotter than usual. Texas and Oklahoma won’t be the only regions predicted to have a cold winter. The Almanac predicts that most of the U.S. will be colder than normal. “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years,” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
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October 2021 •
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Propane Safety
Gas Leaks and Early Warning Devices By Dennis Carroll
According to an article by Angelo Verzoni in the December 2020 NFPA Journal, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 125,000 residential natural gas or LP gas leaks per year, an increase of 25% since 2007. The theory for the increase is from the fact that the piping infrastructure is aging. There has been lots of attention in the propane industry to writing safety standards that require leak testing on new installations and anytime there is an interruption in service. For the most part the industry has been vigilant with leak testing requirements. One of the situations where this falls through the cracks is when you have a good
customer, who never runs out of gas, never has any issues and just pays the bill on time for years and years. They never get a follow up leak test….but that is another article. You can perform a leak test today and the system can be 100% leak free. But that does not mean that tomorrow, or a week from now that a leak may develop. As underground pipe deteriorates over the years, at some point it will get to that point of failure. We also know that digging and outdoor construction can also damage underground lines. So, what can be done? Gas safety experts believe detecting leaks before they result in catastrophe is the best
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
way to deal with the problem. NFPA is currently developing standards for the installation of Fuel Gas Detection and Warning Equipment in NFPA 715 and expect it to be released in 2022. The intent of the new standards is to show us how to do this right and save lives. While the Railroad Commission has not adopted NFPA 715 in our rules, it is expected the NFPA 54 will add something in the near future to reference this or develop code to address the same issue. Detecting the leak is the challenge. For most propane consumers, the common detector is their nose. Unfortunately, some people have a bad sense of smell and may never notice a gas leak. Mercaptan is added to propane for the purpose of being able to smell a leak but “odor fade” can happen. Underground leaks have been known to have the earth scrub the odor out of the gas. This was evident at a recent propane explosion that occurred in Maine. A maintenance worker reported the smell of a gas leak. When firefighters arrived, no smell was detected but when they started checking with gas detection equipment, high readings were detected. Odor fade is for real. There are several residential gas leak detectors on the market. Prices start for as little as $18 and go up to over $100. There are UL standards for their performance but little guidance on installation, which is the issue NFPA 715 wants to address. As part of their studies, they have found detectors aren’t as effective when placed near HVAC equipment, doors, stairwells and other areas with higher airflow. Natural gas detectors work best when placed close to the ceiling while propane worked best close to the floor. With the work they are doing, I am hopeful that the code will be well thought out and will make a difference. The article says not to overlook the human behavior and be sure to educate the consumer. Home inspectors will tell many stories about smoke detectors that have had batteries removed or disconnected because of the “nuisance”.
8/29/2021 1:50:46 PM
October 2021 •
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First come, first serve while stock available.
By Texas for Texas
What is Duty to Warn? A duty to warn is a concept that arises in the law of torts in a number of circumstances, indicating that a party will be held liable for injuries caused to another, where the party had the opportunity to warn the other of a hazard and failed to do so.
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A lawsuit by a party injured by a product, where the manufacturer failed to properly warn, is usually brought as a "negligence" action. How Can My Company Comply? There are numerous ways that you can provide your customers with product warnings. This could be in the form of monthly bill stuffers, warning labels, safety calendars, newsletters, door hangers, on the back of meter tickets as well as through annual comprehensive mailing like the Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program. About the Program & Safety Topics The Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program is a service-based project that uses a Texas specific comprehensive safety brochure with scratch n’ sniff that covers numerous important safety topics including how to detect propane’s odor, what to do if you smell gas, carbon monoxide safety, lighting pilots, appliance maintenance, running out of gas, and Texas consumer safety notification statement.
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
How does it work? 1. Texas propane retailers go to http://pct.ginnysprinting.com/ 2. Complete the online registration form & upload your Texas propane customer mailing list to the form. 3. Registration package is automatically sent to a third-party mail house. 4. You will receive email confirmation as soon as your registration is received. 5. Your company name is ink jetted on to the Texas safety mailer. 6. The safety mailer is sent to your Texas customers within 30 days by non-profit bulk mail. 7. Once mailed and payment is received, you will receive a postage receipt and notarized affidavit from the mail house that your mailing is complete. What does it cost? The biggest savings to you is there is no cost for the mailed brochure and the Council covers postage to TX customers. Each Texas retailer participant is responsible for two pass-through fees. You, the retailer, are only responsible for a small $35 fulfillment flat fee and .08 cents list processing fee per address.
FUEL YOUR PROFITS WITH LOWER WORKERS’ COMP PREMIUMS Endorsed by:
*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
Heaters & Hearth A Division of Empire Comfort Systems Inc.
HearthRite Radiant & Blue-Flame Heaters
Empire SR Radiant & BF Blue-Flame Heaters
IMPORTED
AMERICAN MADE
The White Mountain Hearth line has a full line of quality & comfort products from vent-free to vented fireplaces, cast iron stoves, and realistic log sets.
Atlanta GA
(800) 241-4155
Chandler OK
(800) 763-0953
Houston TX
(800) 334-7816 Little Rock AR
(800) 643-8222
Dallas TX
(800) 821-1829
Indianapolis IN
(800) 241-1971
Orlando FL
(800) 821-0631
Fayetteville NC
(800) 447-1625
Kansas City MO
(800) 821-5062
Richmond VA
(800) 368-4013
www.gasequipment.com
St. Louis MO
(800) 423-4685
Tracy Wells East Texas
John Percy West Texas
October 2021 •
Mike Armstrong South Texas
Texas Propane
21
Feature
Don’t Miss Out on Propane Appliance Rebates for Your Customers
As of late September 2021, the Texas Saves with Propane Appliance Rebate Program still has ample funds with $178,000 remaining. The pilot Propane Appliance Rebate Program funded by the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) kicked off this past spring (2021) for homeowners and businesses that purchase select new propane appliances. Whether someone is remodeling their home, building a new house, or just replacing an old or malfunctioning appliance, this program is for them.
customer changes out a new appliance. This program helps with that, and this safety aspect is one of the primary reasons ProCOT was able to leverage matching dollars from the national Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
Program Goals
The end goal of the program is to: 1) Incentivize homeowners and businesses to purchase propane appliances and offset the cost of the appliance for the end user; and 2) Ensure the safe installation of propane appliances as many propane marketers never know when a propane
22
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
2021 Rebate Amounts
$300 for a new propane furnace or boiler (backup qualifies) $300 for new propane water heater $600 rebate cap per Texas household or Texas business
Application
A completed application must be received by a Texas customer’s propane provider via the online rebate portal at https:// txsaveswithpropane.com. Any Texas propane retailer can sign up to start using the rebate portal. A PDF of the rebate application that must be filled out by the customer, the propane provider and propane technician doing the safety inspection can be found in the rebate portal, on the website or email rebates@propanecounciloftexas.org to request a copy.
Avoid delays in the application process, check for these common errors: 1. Don’t forget to identify the amount of the rebate the customer is requesting. 2. Missing signatures, especially the propane technician’s signature on Page 2. 3. No proof of purchase. 4. Submission of unpaid invoices as
proof of purchase. 5. Unreadable receipts of proof of purchases. Do You Have Any Questions? Please visit https://txsaveswithpropane.com, email rebates@propanecounciloftexas. org, or call 512-883-9925.
What is considered proof of purchase? A proof of purchase is required. To show proof of purchase, please provide a copy of the end user’s sales receipt or “paid” invoice (dated after April 1, 2021). The invoice must be marked paid or show a zero balance. New construction documentation update! To make the program easier and more accessible for new construction proof of purchases, our program will now accept home purchase contract/builder contract with a homebuyer, home bill of sale, builder contractor’s work order with the installation address, Texas Gas Check Form or Gas Appliance System Check Forms. A safety inspection is required. Rebate application must be received within 30 days of propane safety inspection. Why must application be received via the online rebate portal? 1. There is a portion of the application that is electronic for a reason. It is the gatekeeper and pre-qualifier. What a marketer fills in on the online portion of the rebate form will determine if they can move forward in the application process. The online portion will check if an appliance was not installed with the required date range or if an application is being submitted not within the required 30 days of the safety inspection. 2. The online rebate portal will become even more important as funds diminish, as every time a reservation or rebate is submitted, the funding calculator deducts in real-time, saving your place in line and ensures your rebate is funded. 3. Lastly, when it is in the rebate portal, you can manage all your customers rebates. You can see where they are in the process, whether incomplete, under review, processing or paid. October 2021 •
Texas Propane
23
Inside the Industry
People in Propane
Heating Degree Analysis: 3 Years’ Worth of Data at Your Fingertips
Kenneth Couch, 63, of Rusk passed away on August 25, 2021. Kenneth drove a propane truck for Gregg LP Gas (now Nelson Propane) from 1982 until his recent retirement. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and adored his grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. Johnny Wayne Talley, 77, of Lewisville, TX passed away on August 31, 2021. He was a long-time employee of Northwest Propane. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. William A. “Bill” Lawler, 90, of Bowie, Texas, passed away on September 1, 2021. He worked as a professional driver most of his life. As a young man he drove a truck in the oilfield, and then worked for Greyhound Bus Company for 30 years in California. After his retirement, Lawler returned to Texas where he delivered propane for Thermagas in Bowie for more than 20 years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. Annie Louise (Irish) Jackson Thomson, 92, of Temple, passed away on September 4, 2021. She attended college at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. Annie worked for many years as a secretary/bookkeeper for a propane company, and was a member of 7th Street United Methodist Church. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. William “Bill” Charles Hall, 71, of Lampasas passed away at home on September 21, 2021. He came to Lampasas from Colorado in 1985 where he had been a firefighter. Bill had been a member of the Lampasas Volunteer Fire Department. At Fort Hood, Bill trained firefighters and he retired from there as a station chief. He earned a Purple Heart in Vietnam. He had most recently worked for Star Propane. He loved to fish and loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. In 2021, Lon Holloway announced his retirement. He started his career in the propane industry in 1969 at the age of 17 working for Petrolane (which later became Suburban Propane) for 27 years as a service technician, a service manager, and then a branch manager. He concluded his full-time career working for Northwest Propane out of Dallas, where he worked for over 25 years as their sales manager until his retirement this year. Holloway also served as president of the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) in 2009-2010 and as chair of the TPGA Technical & Standards (T&S) Committee for the last decade. Previously, he served for a decade on the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) board. Congratulations on your retirement and serving the propane industry for over 50 plus years.
A heating degree day (HDD) is a measure of how cold a location is. It’s derived by comparing the average outdoor temperature to a baseline of 65 degrees. More extreme cold temperatures result in a higher number of HDDs, which typically translate to an increased demand for space heating by energy consumers. NPGA has now produced data sets that detail the number of HDDs that occurred during each month of the heating season (October-March) over the past three years, as well as each month’s 10year average, broken down by Census Division. As members continue to evaluate their potential supply and demand scenarios for the upcoming heating season, they can use these data to better understand what the needs of their customers were in previous years. These data sets can be found for members under the Supply & Logistics section on the NPGA Member Dashboard of NPGA’s website to view data. National Propane School Bus Campaign Reaches 22 Million
Let the company that knows your business, protect your business
worker’s compensation • general liability • auto insurance property insurance • health insurance & employee benefits risk management services
Protecting Propane and Petroleum Dealers for over 20 Years!
Member
225 S. Fifth St., Waco, TX 76701 • (800) 267-6221 • www.insurors.com 24
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
As the 2021-2022 school year started and millions of children returned to school for the new school year, parents and school officials were taught how propane is making school transportation cleaner, safer and more economical thanks to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). “PERC President and CEO Tucker Perkins engaged millions of viewers and listeners in a back-to-school satellite and radio media tour that resulted in more than 1,300 TV placements, 2,200 radio placements, and 22 million overall im-
pressions across the nation,” PERC reported in a recent PERC Update. Propane school buses currently transport over a million children across the country each school day.
Incidents/Injuries: Gas One has received five reports of adapter hoses swelling. No injuries have been reported. Sold Online at www.amazon.com, www.ebay.com, www.gasone.com www. homedepot.com and www.walmart.com from December 2020 through February 2021, for between $9 and $18. For more information, please contact Gas One at 800-698-5070 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at info@pricezoneusa.com or online at www.gasone.com.
New TCEQ TERP Program Awards All $6M Budget to Propane
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the adapter hose and contact Gas One to obtain a free replacement hose.
MEMBER
The new Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program (GAFF) from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) made $6M available to public fleets, including government and school districts around the state switching to electric, hydrogen, propane, and other alternative fuels. The grant round generated several fleets seeking electric, natural as well as propane grants, including Sanger ISD (3 propane buses), City of Plano (propane vehicles), Alvin ISD (20 propane buses), Cleveland ISD (propane buses), Cypress Fairbanks ISD (80 propane buses), San Antonio ISD (32 propane buses), and Alamo Area Council of Governments (9 propane vehicles). The grant was competitive, and ultimately, all $6M in funds was awarded to propane for Cypress Fairbanks ISD to replace 80 propane school buses. The fact that the whole grant program funds were awarded to propane speaks volumes on how it is a competitive and beneficial transportation fuel in this electrify-everything world. Gas One Recalls Propane Adapter Hoses Due to Fire Hazard
This recall involves Gas One 50140 propane adapter hoses, which are designed to be used with propane gas tanks. The hoses include the following model numbers: 50140-08, 50140-012, 5014005GA, 50140. The recalled propane adapter hoses are part of manufacturer batch numbers Pearl River 3Q20 and Pearl River 4Q20, which is stamped on the hose.
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.
Steve Johnson
Owner Johnson’s Testing Service “Before we met Rusty we didn’t know there were Insurance companies that would compete for our business. Rusty is always looking for the best options available for our business and the propane industry. He has also explained our policy coverages to us in a way that others haven’t. We recommend Rusty and Marshall Young Insurance to any owner looking for options and personal service for their business.”
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
October 2021 •
Texas Propane
25
Inside the Industry Increase Your Customers Propane Winter Wisdom This Winter Subscribe Customers to Winter 2021 Edition of Propane Living
Want to get seasonal propane information out to your propane customers? Nearly 100,000 Texas consumers receive Propane Living each quarter. Propane retailers use the Propane Living newsletter from the Propane Council of Texas to engage their customers, enlighten them on the many advantages of propane home applications, and remind them of seasonal propane safety tips, as well as provide them updates on programs like the Texas
26
Saves with Propane Appliance Rebate Program. You can sign up to have the Propane Living newsletter sent to your customer base. It’s easy. All you need to do is go to the Propane Council of Texas’ homepage at www.propanecounciloftexas.org and click on the Propane Living calendar entry to be taken to online registration page. • You can choose to upload a mailing list and the Council will mail it for you as well as cover the postage; or • You can choose a quantity and we can ship in bulk to your office, and you hand it out at your location, on bobtail routes or use as a bill stuffer. Shipping is FREE. Your cost. There is $45 fulfillment fee per quarter as well as less than 4 cents per newsletter cost to imprint your name on the newsletter. Keep your customers up to date and subscribe to the Winter edition of Propane Living. Deadline to subscribe and to receive mailing lists is Monday, November 22, 2021.
Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
Hit the Links for Good Causes in October
There are two opportunities to legit get out of the office in October to golf with your friends in the industry, while supporting good causes. The Pros4Care Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, October 11, 2021, at the Dye course at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. Register as a player or team and learn more about Pros4Care at https://pros4care.org. The Annual LPG Charity Fund Fall Classic will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Tour 18 Golf Course located at 3102 FM 1960 East in Humble, Texas. Register at https://lpgfund.com.
Info@metsa.com www.metsa.com
The right team for your tank needs Working hard to overcome current market shortage to supply your needs
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) 90,000 gallon, 250 psi, saddles, 2006 (2) 18,000 gallon, 250 psi, skidded, 2011 Contact: Jim Oliver 936-755-6108 petrostar@pdq.net
For Sale 1996 GMC Bobtail 2600 Gallon Capacity Hydro still good until 2029. $10,000 O.B.O. 361-364-3274
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN TEXAS PROPANE MAGAZINE? For Advertising, contact: Joanne Pantaze at 512-273-2639 or by email at jpantaze@pvco.net
CHERYL@LONGHORNPROPANE.COM or WENDY@LONGHORNPROPANE.COM, 830-964-2525
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
Calendar OCTOBER
5-6 PERC Advisory Meeting Tampa, Fl 6 TPGA Member Winter Weekly Price Supply Updates begin 10 November ads due for Texas Propane magazine 11 Pros4Care Golf Tournament McKinney, TX 11-14 2021 API Storage Tank Conference & Expo Nashville, TN 18-20 2021 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo Atlanta, GA 19 LPG Charity Fund Golf Tournament Humble, TX 20 NPGA Fall Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting Atlanta, GA
Index to Advertisers NOVEMBER
4-5 Fall Benchmarking Council Meeting Houston, TX 9-10 TPGA Board & Committee Meetings Austin, TX 9-10 API Cybersecurity Conf for Oil & Gas Industry The Woodlands, TX 22 Winter Propane Living Signup Deadline 25-26 TPGA & PSC Office Closed for Thanksgiving
DECEMBER
3 2021 Texas Duty to Warn Registration Deadline 5-9 23rd World Petroleum Congress
Houston, TX 15 NPGF Scholarship Application Round Opens
BAM Propane Consultants 15 Bergquist 18 BLT Tanks 19 Cunningham Gas Products 31 Fisk Tank Carrier Inc. Outside Back Cover Flame Engineering 17 Gas Equipment Company 21 Insurors of Texas 24 Lone Star Energy Group 21 Longhorn Propane 28 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 31 Maquinado de Equiposy Tanques SA de CV 27 Marshall Young Insurance 25 Meeder Equipment Co. 5 MTankCo Supply/Mississippi Tank 17 Nocell Technologies 26 Pinnacle Propane Inside Front Cover Propane Service Corporation 16 PT Risk Management 23 Rural Computer Consultants 13 Westmor Industries 15 White River Distributors 29
October 2021 •
Texas Propane
29
Propane With Purpose
The Perfect Heated Bench for Gameday
It’s hard to imagine the need for heated seats while we’re wrapping up summer here in the Lone Star State, but (fingers crossed) cold fronts will be arriving soon, and we’ll all have a chance to don a jacket and go watch some football, whether it be at the local high school or of the professional variety. Enter Dragon Seats, which utilizes propane for its heated benches that are utilized by the NFL on down. The benches are heated by a 120-volt portable heater and cleanburning propane, which gradually warms the bench to a comfortable temperature. The state-of-the-art benches also feature slideout heated foot decks that direct warm air upward, so players are warmed from the front and back. For collegiate and professional football, their patented “Hot Hat” helmet-warming accessory is installed on the heated outdoor bench to keep the insides of helmets warm. This prevents the interior bladders from hardening in the cold. Unlike a cold helmet, a warm helmet fits properly and is much more capable of protecting players from head injuries in freezing temperatures. The heated outdoor bench is specially designed to provide the user with comfortable, ergonomic positioning. The user’s knees are slightly raised to allow the bench’s warmth to be absorbed by the body more completely and evenly, especially in the areas that are most susceptible to injury, like the hamstrings, calves, and back.
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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com
The benches also come with built-in rolling casters, which make them easy to move, so they can be stored away when not in use. Dragon Seats heated benches can be custom-painted, so they match team colors. Sports teams are not the only ones utilizing these unique heated benches. Ski resorts have started to add them to their stable of products to help keep their customers warm and safe. For more information, visit https://dragonseats.com/.
Visit us online to see the full product line RCSGasGrills.com
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
EXPECT MORE CAPACITY•QUALITY•UP-TIME•PROFIT•OPPORTUNITY
CUSTOM PROPANE TANK SERVICE
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AND INSTALLATION TRUCKS
(920) 623-3979 • info@fiskinc.net CONTACT FISK TODAY!