November 2020 Texas Propane magazine

TexasPropane Texas Propane November 2020

Volume 76 No. 11

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

EMPLOYEE POACHING

Avoid Litigation and Loss of Company Secrets

Texas Energy Assistance Program Low Interest Disaster Assistance Loans 2020-21 Winter Fuels Outlook

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 November 2020

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 dsimpson@txpropane.com

Features Employee Poaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Avoid Litigation and Loss of Company Secrets When Workers Jump Ship How Texas Energy Assistance Program Can Assist Propane Customers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Low Interest Disaster Assistance Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 EIA Winter Fuels 2020-2021 Outlook: Propane vs. Electricity. . . . . . . . . 16

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@pvco.net

Texas Propane School Bus Grants Expiring February 26, 2021. . . . . . . 18 Propane Online Learning Center Enhanced in Late October 2020. . . . . 24

Departments

Highlights from Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Safety Talk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Fleet Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 People in Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Classified Advertising.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Highlights from Headquarters

Gearing Up for Busy Winter Season

AFFINITY PARTNERS

LEnergy ONE ST R Group NEW SUPPLIER MEMBER

Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director As you gear up for the winter busy season, a number of you have the task of hiring new employees and replacing others.

This issue of Texas Propane looks at ways that you can protect your customer lists, marketing plans and pricing from ending up in your competitor’s hands. The article also looks at how to avoid lawsuits for violating restrictive covenants when hiring top employees from competitors.

There is also some valuable information

about the CEAP program here in Texas.

In today’s world this information may be critical to your customers. The article explains the program, who is eligible, and how to access the funds.

We also give you information on how to access low interest disaster assistance loans. In 2020 Texas has had to endure tornados, hurricanes and tropical storms.

Texas is always at risk of weather-related disasters. If you are in need, the information in this issue will help you find the help you need.

EIA has their winter fuels outlook for the 2020-21 season. They are forecasting that average household expenditures for

Rego Products Elon, NC

all home heating fuels will increase this winter largely because of greater energy consumption. TPGA members don’t forget about the Propane Winter Fuels Weekly Update sent out to our members October through March, with national, regional and Texas-level data.

There are some important deadlines coming up soon for a few of the popular ProCOT programs – the winter subscription to the Propane Living newsletter and the Texas Duty to Warn mailing program. Don’t delay!

2019-2020 TPGA Board of Directors President: Mark Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 President Elect: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 Secretary: Harris Baker, HBH Systems, 512-587-8347 Treasurer/Finance Chair: Allen Wells, Baygas, 281-332-2630 District 1 Director: David Collett, Gas and Supply, 903-780-2488 District 1 Alternate: Open District 2 Director: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 District 2 Alternate: Open District 3 Director: Jeremy Gentile, Hill Butane, 409-296-2001 District 3 Alternate: Open District 4 Director: Danny Meyers, Bellville Butane 979-865-2698 District 4 Alternate: Matt Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 District 5 Director: Ryan Tudyk, Howdy Propane Services, 361-771-1900 District 5 Alternate: Open District 6 Director: Omar Garcia, Mr. G Propane, 956-581-1063 District 6 Alternate: Open District 7 Director: Steve Smith, Smith Gas, 830-393-2533 District 7 Alternate: Sharon Seal, Bell Hydrogas, 210-533-7103 District 8 Director: Rodney Sladek, Fayetteville Propane, 979-836-7044 District 8 Alternate: Open District 9 Director: Bill McCullough, Butane Gas, 800-242-69010 District 9 Alternate: Brad Quisenberry, Gene Harris Petroleum, 888-336-4474 District 10 Director: Josh Nowlin, McCraw Propane, 9003-583-7481 District 10 Alternate: Chad Gregg, Enderby Gas, 940-482-3225 District 11 Director: Steve Adams, Hardwick LPG, 254-647-3402 District 11 Alternate: Open District 12 Director: Laci Jo Stone, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 District 12 Alternate: Open District 13 Director: Open

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District 13 Alternate: Open District 14 Director: Terry Perez, Perez Propane, 512-318-9780 District 14 Alternate: Open District 15 Director: Don Heinrich, Slaton Gas, 806-828-6501 District 15 Alternate: Open District 16 Director: Open District 16 Alternate: Open Past President: 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 Past President: John Kelly, Kelly Propane, 940-586-1208 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: Don Heinrich, Slaton Gas, 806-828-6501 Sr. Vice President: Bill Collins, Collins Propane, 972-442-1078 Sr. Vice President: Joe Green, Green’s Blue Flame Gas, 713-462-5414 Assoc. Supplier Service Director: Rusty Walker, Marshall Young Insurance, 817-645-9155 Assoc. Supplier Service Alternate: Steve Johnson, Midstream Transportation, 512-787-3777 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Director: Anna May Etheredge, Bishop Energy, 940-665-4672 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Alternate: Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas Sales, 713-851-6155 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Director: Jim Diehl, Squibb Taylor, 214-357-4591 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Alternate: Joe Ezernack, Meeder Equipment, 903-877-9401 Assoc. At Large Director: J.R. Anderson, Gas Equipment Company, 972-406-3817 Assoc. At Large Alternate: John Becraft, Targa Resources, 817-416-7757 Nominating Chair: John Kelly, Kelly Propane 940-586-1208 NPGA Director: Chad Gray, Dixie LP Gas, 254-582-5359

Feature

Employee Poaching Avoid Litigation and Loss of Company Secrets When Workers Jump Ship

By Phillip M. Perry When employees leave for positions elsewhere, valuable company secrets can go out the door with them. Employers can protect their customer lists, marketing plans and pricing data from ending up in the hands of competitors by having key individuals sign restrictive covenants. Employers also need to avoid lawsuits for violating restrictive covenants when poaching top employees from competitors.

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Feature

A sales person who jumped ship for a competing employer took along a folder of customer lists and marketing plans. Those items proved valuable resources for the conduct of his new duties—so valuable that his previous employer sued for violation of confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and illegal use of trade secrets. The results were costly cash settlements against the executive as well as the new employer who had encouraged use of stolen material.

If that story sounds familiar, it’s no accident. Similar cases occur regularly around the country. When a star employee moves from one business to another, the resulting conflicts are often resolved in court.

“This area of law is growing quickly,” says Ben Mathis, an Atlanta attorney and managing partner of the nationwide law firm of Freeman Mathis & Gary (fmglaw.com). “There are two competing interests at stake. The first is that of employers who have a right to protect their information from having people walk off and take it all with them. The second is that of the individual’s right to compete against his earlier employer.”

Resolving those competing interests can hit profits hard.

“Court remedies usually involve financial damages for harm that had been done to the original employer,” says Theodore J. St. Antoine, Degan Professor Emeritus of Law, University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor. “There may also be an injunction prohibiting the losing party from continuing an illegal practice. If the losing party ignores the injunction and continues to do the prohibited activity, the result may be additional fines for contempt of court, or even jail time in extreme cases.”

Restrictive covenants

The moral of all this is clear: Businesses must take steps to ensure they do not lose valuable information when employees leave for competing firms. At the same time, employers need to protect themselves from costly lawsuits when poaching top performers from competitors.

Protecting business interests has become more important with

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recent changes in the work environment. The employment relationship is less stable than in the past, high level talent is in demand and recruiting is aggressive. Intellectual property—easily carried between companies—is more valuable than ever before. Customer information, pricing data, business plans, and proprietary marketing strategies are all at risk.

Businesses looking to negotiate this rocky terrain have a valuable tool at their command: restrictive covenants.

These written agreements can keep departing employees from competing against former employers, soliciting the same customers or employees, or using a former employer’s sensitive information for their own ends.

“Most employers have confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information,” says Joon Hwang, Shareholder in the Tysons Corner, Va., office of Littler Mendelson, P.C., the nation’s largest law firm defending employers in labor and employment disputes (littler. com). “Or they may have certain employees with desirable skills, experience, training, or intimate knowledge considered integral and invaluable to their businesses. Restrictive covenants, drafted properly, can be a powerful tool for protecting all of this valuable information.”

There are two sides to the trade secret coin. Incoming personnel must also be quizzed about any restrictive covenants signed at their former employer. And they must be prohibited from bringing along customer lists, marketing plans, financial records, confidential information, or anything else that might be determined to be the former employer’s property.

Non-competes

The most powerful restrictive covenant prohibits the employee from accepting employment at a competitor. Called “covenants not to compete,” or “non-competes,” these agreements specify a period of time for the prohibition and a geographic area where the prohibition applies. They usually also prohibit the individual from serving as an independent contractor for, or having any ownership interest in, a competitive organization.

“I generally do counsel my clients to have non-competes, certainly with their higher-level employees,” says Jeffrey A. Dretler, a partner at Rubin and Rudman, Boston (rubinrudman.com). “I think it’s a very important and effective tool for protecting company confidential information and relationships in which they have invested.”

So far so good. But employers need to be wary of a not-so-secret vulnerability of these covenants: The possibility they will be deemed invalid by a court of law. That’s because such covenants raise concerns about limiting the capacity of employees to earn their livelihoods.

Feature Employers can help improve the enforceability of their non-competes by ensuring the terms balance the concerns of the employer with the reasonable interests of the employees. “The wider the covenant goes geographically, and the longer the term of the restriction, the less likely the court will uphold it as reasonable,” cautions St. Antoine. An example of a very reasonable covenant would be one that calls for a one-year moratorium on working for a competitor, within the radius of one mile of the original employer.

State laws

Achieving the right balance is a tricky proposition, not only because each employer-employee relationship poses unique circumstances but also because no federal law provides a common nationwide playing field. Everything depends on state law, and that can differ substantially.

“Fifty states have fifty permutations of what employers can lawfully restrict with written agreements,” says Mathis. “Many states allow restrictions for reasonable periods from six months to two years. Some states are more employee friendly than others.

The challenge is becoming greater because in many states the law is trending toward greater worker protections. “The world is changing very rapidly,” says Dretler. “States are trending toward limiting non-competes. Many federal, state, and local initiatives,

legislation, and news commentaries are asking whether there should be limits put on them. Are they anti-competitive? What’s really protectable? There’s a lot of litigation about these issues.”

In California, for example, non-compete agreements are void, but Texas recognizes their lawfulness when certain criteria are met.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports under Conflicts of Interest and Trade Secrets the following: 1. contractual limitations - if these are an issue, have affected employees sign a clear written agreement promising not to do certain things and agreeing to pay damages in the event that the employees breach the agreement

Covid-19 Heightens Risk for Employers With so many employers trimming work forces in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, many terminated individuals will be taking positions with competing firms. Employers may be tempted to overlook the terms of restrictive covenants so their terminated workers can earn a living. Doing so, however, may jeopardize the employer’s future profitability.

“Employers who choose not to seek enforcement of restrictive covenants during this time should understand that failure to do so may hinder later enforcement,” cautions Joon Hwang, Shareholder in the Tysons Corner, Va., office of Littler Mendelson, P.C., the nation’s largest law firm defending employers in labor and employment disputes (littler.com). He points out that future employees who breach restrictive covenants may assert a waiver argument—that the employer’s prior forbearance proves a lack of legitimate business interest to support enforcement of the agreements.

There is a solution to this conundrum. Hwang suggests employers take steps to minimize the risk their well-meaning inaction may have by memorializing their justification for not seeking to enforce the restrictive covenants. Legitimate reasons might include: • A lack of resources necessary to enforce the agreements due to the impact the pandemic has had on the employer’s business • A decline in business from certain clients, or their bankruptcy • Model records of former employees for whom restrictive covenants have been unenforced, including the fact that the individuals returned all confidential information and agreed not to solicit customers serviced • Hwang offers another tip: “It would be helpful for employers to explicitly state that the decision not to enforce at this time should not be interpreted as a waiver of any future right to enforce the restrictive covenants against other former employees.”

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Feature

2. policy guidelines - on top of a written agreement signed by each affected employee, the policy handbook should mention what the employer expects of employees in this regard Under the Texas Business & Commerce Code it addresses competition and trade practices and outlines the following in regard to Non-Competition Agreements: In Texas, a court may award the employer (promise) under a covenant not to compete damages, injunctive relief, or both damages and injunctive relief for a breach by the employee (promisor) of the covenant if does not put unreasonable limitations on the employee’s ability to practice a profession or perform his skill set.

The burden falls on the employer to prove harm under the covenant not to compete.

Employers, then, need to avoid over-reach that can backfire when an unfavorable court decision removes the protections that were thought secure. “Another reason to avoid overreach is because it may reduce the employer’s credibility with the court when seeking to enforce the non-competes that really matter,” adds Dretler. And he adds one more potential pitfall of unreasonable non-competes: Some valuable prospective employees may decide not to join a company out of fear they will be bound by a too-onerous non-compete when the time comes to leave.

Non-solicits

As the above comments suggest, non-competes can backfire when they fail to hold up to a court challenge. Very often that means an employee who has jumped ship is free to conduct business without any restrictions. And that can leave the former employer in a bad competitive position.

There is a solution to this problem, and it comes in the form of another restrictive covenant. Often referred to as “non-solicits,” these covenants are designed to keep an employee who moves to a new business from soliciting a former employer’s customers for a set period of time.

“An agreement not to solicit customers is often easier to defend than a covenant not to compete,” says Joseph Y. Ahmad,

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a founding partner in the Houston law firm of Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing (azalaw.com).

“That’s because it is narrower in scope, allowing the employee to work for a competitor.” Courts like the fact that these agreements preserve the ability of the individual to continue to earn a livelihood while protecting the rights of the former employer.

What if a former customer tracks down the departed employee at his or her new employer? Even then the terms of the non-solicit agreement usually hold. “The employee has to say ‘no, I can’t help you’ and the former customer needs to contact another employee,” says Ahmad. “Occasionally one can go further than that and actually specifically direct them to a person who can help them. But the safest thing is to not give the previous customer much direction at all.”

Again, though, employers need to be careful about over-reach that can void the agreements. Not only should the terms specify a reasonable time limit, but they should also avoid prohibiting the solicitation of all customers served by the current employer.

“There usually needs to be some relationship between the employee and the customers, in terms of previous interactions,” cautions Ahmad. “The exception would be if you could argue, for example, that the employee had confidential information about your margins on certain products and that information can be leveraged at any customer. You can often make that argument work.”

There’s another kind of non-solicit. Often called an “anti-raiding provision,” this one keeps departing employees from luring co-workers to the new employer. “I don’t know of anything that triggers litigation more than a high level employee leaving a company, and then is suspected of being the Pied Piper and causing a bunch of other employees to leave,” says Ahmad. “Many times that gets articulated as some type of raiding claim, even though not every state has protections specifically for that.” Having a well-written non-solicit of employees, he adds, can help protect against this situation.

Confidentiality agreements

As the comments so far suggest, sometimes the old adage “less is more” can be a smart business posture: Employers may get more value from less restrictive covenants. Just as a non-solicit may be more effective than a non-compete, one more less onerous restrictive covenant—the confidentiality agreement—can in some circumstances be the most effective of all.

“A confidentiality or non-disclosure provision prevents the departing employees from disclosing or using the proprietary or confidential information of their ex-employers, or that of their employers’ customers,” says Hwang. After defining the nature

Feature of the organization’s sensitive information, the agreements state that the signers will take measures to keep it secret. “The information in dispute does not have to be a ‘trade secret’, but must simply be confidential, proprietary, or not publicly available.”

Because the legal system of every state recognizes the right of businesses to protect their sensitive information, confidentiality agreements are generally highly defensible in court. Attorneys advise that they be signed by any employee who has access to sensitive business information. They provide valuable evidence that an employer has taken steps to communicate the importance of discretion to employees.

Luring star performers

Now for the other side of the coin. Employers need to be careful about violating a competing business’s restrictive covenants when luring away a star performer. The legal fees and time required to defend one’s actions can be costly, even when a court strikes down the first employer’s covenants as unreasonable. “Some employers draft restrictive covenants knowing they will not be enforceable but will scare people into behaving as desired,” warns Mathis. “Employers with deep pockets can cause a lot of trouble.”

Attorneys advise taking some prudent precautions during the hiring process. Ask what agreements the employee has signed with his current employer. The individual who never signed a non-compete might have signed an agreement not to solicit the certain customers or to recruit coworkers.

“When a new employee is hired it’s a good idea to get a verification or agreement the individual is not taking confidential information from somewhere else,” says Ahmad. “And also that that employee is not subject to a restrictive covenant that they have not made the new employer aware of.”

When determining the risk involved in poaching, employers also need to examine their conscience: If the goal is not to attract a skilled employee but to cripple a competitor by grabbing trade secrets, hiring the individual can be actionable in court.

“You may simply see a very talented person performing for another firm and you think you can give that individual a better deal,” says St. Antoine. “That won’t give rise to a cause of action.

But you can be the target of litigation if you have some other element in the picture, such as an effort to get insider information.”

Employers should also avoid tarnishing the picture by spreading false and damaging information about the employee’s current company. “If an employer falsely tells a coveted person that his current employer is going out of business, that is ‘trade libel,’ a special form of ‘libel and slander,’” says St. Antoine.

Changing laws

Non-competes, non-solicits and confidentiality agreements form a three-legged stool of defense for employers looking to protect valuable business information. But restrictive covenants must balance the needs of the employer with those of the employee. At the same time, employers must periodically review such agreements to ensure they continue to comply with state laws that are becoming more protective of workers by imposing new and tighter restrictions on what employers can prevent them from doing.

“The viability and enforceability of a company’s restrictive covenants, particularly non-competes, are more likely to be the subject of rigorous review today than in the past,” says Hwang. “To ensure enforceability when it counts, employers should review the scope and terms of such documents to ensure they are sufficiently and narrowly defined to meet their legitimate business interests.”

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Feature

How Texas Energy Assistance Program Can Assist Propane Customers local restrictions from COVID- 19 that impact the household to a local CEAP branch caseworker in their local country.

The allocation formula for CEAP uses the following five factors and corresponding weights to distribute its funds by county: non-elderly poverty household factor (40%); elderly poverty household factor (40%); inverse poverty household density factor (5%); median income variance factor (5%); and weather factor (10%).

How does it work?

‘Tis the season for high propane use, y’all! Texas’ cooler weather months are upon us, and not only will much more propane be used as Texans heat their homes, but it’s also the best time for lower-income customers to employ our state’s utility assistance program to help pay for a tank fill.

What is CEAP?

The Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is funded by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The purpose of CEAP is to provide energy assistance to income-eligible households. TDHCA administers the program through a network of 37 CEAP Subrecipients. The subrecipients consist of private nonprofit entities and units of local government. CEAP Subrecipients make energy payments for eligible households to energy companies through a vendor agreement with energy providers.

Eligible households may be assisted with Utility Assistance and Household Crisis Assistance benefits, which are the two CEAP assistance components. Benefits are determined on a sliding scale based

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on income, household size and Federal Poverty Income levels. The Household Crisis Component is designed to provide one-time energy assistance to households during a period of extreme temperatures or an energy supply shortage. A utility disconnection notice may constitute a Household Crisis. In some instances, Household Crisis funds can be used to assist victims of natural disasters.

In fiscal year 2019, almost $120.5 million was used to help 159,152 Texas households. For FY 2020, the CEAP has a budget of $163 million and last spring, due to CARES Act money awarded because of COVID-19, Texas received an additional $90 million.

Who is eligible?

The targeted beneficiaries of CEAP in Texas are households with an income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines, with priority given to aging Texans; persons with disabilities; families with young children; households with the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income (highest home energy burden); and households with high energy consumption.

Applicants can verbally report loss of job, income, or need due to sheltering-in-place or

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Customers apply for CEAP through their local community action agency, which processes their application, determines eligibility, and is authorized to provide utility assistance totaling up to $1,400 per year per household. The maximum possible annual Household benefit aggregate to $8,200.

“Here in Texas, we can help folks with Program Year 2020 Income Limits for CEAP (Effective February 3, 2020)

Persons in 150% of Family/Household Federal Poverty

Guidelines

1 $19,140

2 $25,860

3 $32,580

4 $39,300

5 $46,020

6 $52,740

7 $59,460

8 $66,180 For families with more than 8 people Add $6,720 for each additional person Eligibility for CEAP is calculated at 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

SOURCE: U.S Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

only one bill a month, up to eight times a year, depending upon their situation,” explained Michael De Young, Division Director at the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. “We don’t select which utility bill to pay per se; what we do is offer to pay the highest utility bill for that month, because that’s what will help the household the most. So, during the summer, it’s almost always going to be the electric bill. But during cooler months, especially if they have a propane tank that’s empty and needs to be filled, then the propane bill may be higher than the electric bill, so that would be their utility assistance for that month.”

One key objective of the program is to provide relief for lower-income disabled, elderly, and families with young children – the Texans who are most vulnerable, both physically and financially – from fluctuations in cooling and heating energy costs.

Households with these kinds of at-risk members may be eligible for additional assistance to ensure their power stays connected and their health is protected.

CEAP also offers extra help to eligible customers during severe weather, energyrelated crises, and fuel-supply shortages.

“Of course we’ll help in a crisis – which CEAP defines as a situation in which at least one household member would suffer seriously without utility assistance, because there is a shut-off notice or they have less than a ten-day supply of a delivered fuel source like propane,” De Young notes. “Customers can purchase up to 250 gallons of propane or suspend a shut-off; but under normal, non-crisis circumstances, each household can receive only two disconnect payments per year.”

Households in crisis can also use CEAP funding to help cover some energy equipment service and repair – up to $5,000 per year. But propane customers need to know, while tank pressure testing may be covered, repair or service of propane valves, lines, and tanks is not eligible for CEAP funding.

Why is the propane-use cycle important?

Because propane has a cycle of use in many homes – particularly where it’s the primary heating fuel – it’s important for those lower-income households to remember CEAP will pay only the month’s highest utility bill. So, if they want to make the most of their utility assistance,

then they should aim to fill their tanks – and seek help from CEAP – during the winter months.

“Much of how the program works has to do with when the customer is accessing it,” confirms De Young. “If you’re an electricity-only household, then it doesn’t really matter. But if you use propane for heat, then it can make a difference.”

What can you do to make the most of CEAP?

Local community action agencies are the hub of the CEAP system. For customers requesting help, these agencies are the ones who accept and process their applications, as well as distribute approved funds. And for energy providers – such as propane marketers – these agencies are the ones who can connect you with federal dollars.

“For suppliers who are interested in accessing CEAP funding, the key is to know your local community action agencies,” advises De Young. “You can’t receive a program payment from an agency until you’ve signed a CEAP vendor agreement – a legal document that says you will treat households utilizing CEAP exactly the same as your regular clients – with that local office.”

Step one is to identify which organizations in your service area administer CEAP funds. Go to the TDHCA website [www. tdhca.state.tx.us/texans.html], click the “Utility Bill Payment Help” but-

ton under “Home Expenses.” Type in the city or county you serve and click “Submit” – and information for the local community action agency will appear.

“Be proactive,” De Young urges. “Go by that local office, let them know you provide propane in these counties, and sign that vendor agreement. Build a relationship with those folks, so that the caseworker sitting across the desk from a lower-income client can say, ‘I know Pete over at Pete’s Propane; let’s give him a call and get a delivery to you ASAP.’” On the other side of the equation, knowing the local agency that administers CEAP will also help you help your lower-income customers. Being able to refer someone in need to the proper agency that can assist them is not only great customer service, but also good for business.

“If a propane marketer has a current CEAP vendor agreement, then when they have a customer saying, ‘I need a propane fill, but I don’t have enough money,’ they can tell them, ‘You may be eligible for this program; call this agency and see whether you can get CEAP utility assistance,’” suggests De Young. “It should take only a day or two for them to process the application and gain approval, and then they’re both in business.”

Raising your profile within CEAP circles takes a little effort on the front end, but the payoff is the opportunity for underprivileged and vulnerable customers to have their propane tank filled once a year, and have the federal government help pay for it.

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

13

Feature

Low Interest Disaster Assistance Loans Business Administration not only provides loans due to COVID-19, but also disaster assistance in the form of lowinterest loans to businesses located in regions affected by declared disasters? Disaster could be hurricanes, severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, or other disasters.

There are different types of disaster loans. Below we highlight two, specific to businesses: Business Physical Disaster Loans

Any business or organization located in a declared disaster area and that incurred damage during the disaster may apply for a loan to help replace or restore damaged property. Businesses of any size may apply to the SBA for a loan to recover after a disaster.

Loan Amounts and Use. SBA makes physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations. These loan proceeds may be used for the repair or replacement of the following: real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory and leasehold improvements.

The SBA Business Physical Disaster Loan covers disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. If you are required to apply insurance proceeds to an outstanding mortgage on the damaged property, you can include that amount in your disaster loan application.

If you make improvements that help reduce the risk of future property damage caused by a similar disaster, you may be eligible for up to a 20 percent loan amount increase above the real estate damage, as verified by the SBA. You may not use the disaster loan to upgrade or expand a business, except as required by building codes.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

In 2020, Texas has fallen victim to tornados, hurricanes and tropical storms.

And while hurricane season officially

14

ended on November 1, our state is always at risk for weather-related disasters.

Did you the know the U.S. Small

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

If you are in a declared disaster area and have suffered economic injury regardless of physical damage, you may qualify for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Loan Amounts and Use. Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and to

pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. EIDLs provide the necessary working capital to help small businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster.

The SBA can provide up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Your loan amount will be based on your actual economic injury and your company’s financial needs, regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

EIDL assistance is available only to small businesses when SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

A business may qualify for both an EIDL and a physical disaster loan. The maximum combined loan amount is $2 million.

The process to apply for disaster assistance is simple. To qualify, your business or home must be in an affected area as stated by a disaster declaration. To see if a disaster declaration exist for your area, go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ Declarations/Index.

MEMBER

For more information and to apply, https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center.

Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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.

Colton King Longhorn Propane LP

“We chose Marshall Young because of their personal service and industry knowledge.

Their same day service simplifies my day to day business operations. Rusty and his team are always there when you need them.”

2) Many have discovered a missing piece of coverage after meeting with us.

3) Most tell us they have no idea what companies insure their industry and are surprised to learn there are multiple options available.

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

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

15

Feature

EIA Winter Fuels 2020-2021 Outlook Propane vs. Electricity

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that average household expenditures for all major home heating fuels will increase this winter largely because of greater energy consumption.

EIA’s higher energy consumption forecast reflects an expectation that the upcoming winter will be colder than last year, and that home heating use will increase as a result of more people working and attending school from home during upcoming months.

Based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) most recent Heating Degree Days (HDD) forecast, EIA assumes temperatures for the winter of 2020–21 will be colder than last winter but similar to the previous 10-winter average for most of the country. On average, Heating Degree Days for the winter of 2020–21 across the United States are expected to be 5% higher than last winter. However, the forecast varies among regions, ranging from 10% more HDDs than last winter in the South.

Although NOAA’s forecast for this winter indicates temperatures could be colder than last year, recent winters pro-

16

vide a reminder that weather can be unpredictable. The winters of 2013–14 and 2014–15 was generally colder than normal, but the winters of 2015–16 and 2016–17 were much warmer than normal. Recognizing this potential variability, the Winter Fuels Outlook includes scenarios where HDDs in all regions are 10% higher (colder) or 10% lower (warmer) than forecast.

Electric. Nearly all U.S. households use electricity in some form, but 40% also heat their homes primarily using electric heat pumps or electric heaters with resistant elements. Nearly two-thirds of homes in the South heat primarily with electricity. In the South, EIA forecasts winter electricity consumption will be almost 10% higher than last winter as a result of forecast colder-than normal weather in the region.

EIA estimates electricity expenditures will increase by 7%.

Propane. About 5% of all U.S. households use propane as their primary space heating fuel, and many of these households are in the Midwest and Northeast.

EIA expects these households to spend 14% more on average for heating this winter compared with last winter but forecast changes in expenditures vary by region.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

When forecasting expenditures, EIA does not account for propane that consumers purchase ahead of its use. EIA assumes consumers pay the prevailing retail price at the time the fuel is consumed.

As of October 1, wholesale propane spot prices at the Mont Belvieu hub were 12% higher than at the same time in 2019.

However, EIA expects the seasonal increase in propane prices to be more muted than usual this winter because the market is well supplied. EIA expects residential propane prices to be higher this winter compared with last winter but lower than the three previous winters. EIA’s propane price forecasts reflect inventories that are higher than average in most regions of the United States going into the winter season and U.S. propane production levels that are expected to remain sufficient to satisfy domestic and international demand. Propane inventories typically build between April and October and begin drawing down in late September or October when agricultural use of propane rises, and temperatures begin to drop.

U.S. propane (including propylene) inventories were 102.0 million barrels on September 25, which was 15% higher than the five-year average for that time of year. The high U.S. inventories are primarily the result of inventories in the U.S. Gulf Coast that were more than 19% higher than the five-year average. Inventories were also well above average in all other regions, except in the Midwest, where inventory levels were near the fiveyear average.

EIA forecasts that total U.S. propane production at natural gas plants and refineries will be 7% lower this winter than last winter, total U.S. consumption will be 5% higher, and net exports will be 15% lower.

U.S. consumption and export growth depend on demand for propane as a heating fuel, as petrochemical feedstock for petrochemical plants, and to a lesser extent as an agricultural fuel. The increase in total U.S. consumption is the result of higher demand for propane as a heating fuel

because of relatively colder weather and because more people will be working and attending school at home this winter. EIA expects more heating demand will more than offset reduced demand for propane as a petrochemical feedstock. Propane is also used as a fuel for drying agricultural crops early in the heating season. EIA expects grain drying demand to fall below last year’s level because corn crop maturity is on track with the five-year average, and harvested grain moisture content will be lower than last year, requiring less drying in commercial grain dryers.

EIA forecasts fewer U.S. propane exports this winter mainly because of lower global demand for propane as a petrochemical feedstock and a lower price premium for propane in international markets relative to U.S. wholesale prices.

Current propane inventory levels in Western Canada, which are above the five-year average, may allow for higher imports into the Midwest as heating demand rises.

Development of a second marine export terminal from Canada’s Pacific coast has been delayed, resulting in higher-thanexpected levels of supply becoming avail-

able for export to the United States by rail this winter.

Propane Winter Fuels Weekly Update. The Texas Propane Gas Association

(TPGA) will provide TPGA members with weekly propane supply and price updates through heating season 2020-2021 (October – March). The price update includes national, regional and Texas level data.

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

17

Feature

Texas Propane School Bus Grants Expiring February 26, 2021 Schools can apply now and buy later

While Texas is the leader in propane school bus adoption with 78 districts operating over 3,100 propane-powered school buses, there is still much room for growth. New propane school buses produce up to 96% less NOx than new “clean” diesel buses. They are already being certified for the California 2024 Low NOx and 2027 Ultra-Low NOx emissions standards, so school districts looking to clean up their emissions have an economical solution.

The EPA is not the only one that has grants for school buses, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has a first-come, first-serve replacement grant through the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program in which propane qualifies, whether it is a bobtail, school bus, or another medium to heavyduty vehicle. There is over $13 million still available, and the grant deadline is quickly

18

approaching, with the last drop-dead submission date of February 26, 2021.

School districts can apply with the help

of the Propane Council of Texas’ grant team to replace their older gasoline or diesel buses with propane school buses

School bus grant eligible counties: Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bee, Bell, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Duval, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Hill, Jackson, Jim Wells, Karnes, La Salle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Matagorda, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Navarro, Refugio, Robertson, Victoria, Walker, Washington, Webb, and Wharton counties.

El Paso Area: El Paso County.

Tyler-Longview Area: Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Smith, and Upshur counties.

Austin Area: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.

Beaumont-Port Arthur Area: Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange counties.

Corpus Christi Area: Nueces and San Patricio counties.

Dallas-Fort Worth Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise counties.

Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

San Antonio Area: Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Wilson counties.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

and pay for 1/3 of the new bus dependent on the older school bus model year and which propane school bus Low NOx or Ultra-Low NOx the district chooses.

Last grant round, Georgetown ISD got over $730,228 to replace 23 older diesel buses with propane school buses, and Leander ISD received $739,434 to replace 24 older diesel buses with propane school buses.

With the state budget shortfall, there is no guarantee this grant program will get renewed beyond February 2021, so school districts operating buses in the Clean Transportation Zone, an over 80 plus county region in Texas, are encouraged to apply. School districts can apply now and they have between 18-24 months to make the school bus purchase, so there is no risk to the school district.

The grant process in nutshell

• Apply & comply • Receive grant contract from TCEQ • Purchase new bus • School request reimbursement

er to assist you through the application process. Please reach out to ProCOT at (800)325-7427 or by email at info@propanecounciloftexas.org for FREE grant consultation, grant writing, or see how much you could get for a diesel or gasoline vehicle you are ready to retire.

• Destroy old bus • School annually report to TCEQ once a year for 4 years or 400,000 miles FREE Grant Services Assistance. Do not forget in 2020, the Propane Council of Texas has a complimentary grant writ-

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Texas Propane

19

Safety Talk

Hazards and Precautions for Propane Transfers Safety Meeting

When working with propane, safety is paramount. The risks and precautions that apply to basic operations, such as filling and transporting cylinders, also apply to other activities. The tips below serve as a reminder of what to be aware of and precautions to follow during all propane transfers.

SAFETY TIPS FOR ALL PROPANE TRANSFERS: 3 Remove all ignition sources, flammable liquids, and com-

bustible materials to a safe distance away from the transfer area.

3 Observe all precautions that apply within the Static Discharge Control Area.

3 Always wear appropriate PPE. 3 Inspect hoses and fittings before making connections. Correct any deficiencies and replace damaged components before proceeding.

3 Avoid dragging hoses across the ground when making connections.

3 Carry valves by the body. Carrying by the handwheel or operating lever can accidentally open the valve. Aim the valve outlet away from yourself and other people.

3 Know the locations and operating procedures for emergency shutoff valves.

20

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

3 Know your plant’s emergency evacuation procedures, and check that gates are open to provide adequate egress locations in case of emergency.

3 Take special care when unloading into multiple storage tanks simultaneously. Refer to your plant’s procedures to determine which liquid and vapor valves should be open and closed, and how to monitor tank levels during the transfer.

3 Per DOT regulations, make sure a “qualified person” is present during every transfer operation.

3 This person is someone who has been trained on safe work practices, health and safety hazards of propane, and emergency response procedures.

3 In the case of an equipment malfunction that cannot be fixed easily, secure the component if it is safe to do so, and follows your company’s policies and procedures. In some cases, you may need to apply a lock and tag to protect people nearby and prevent any issue.

DISCUSSION TOPICS 1. As you prepare to fill cylinders on a very busy day, you notice that another employee is working in an area with equipment that blocks the exit. How do you proceed?

2. Why is it important to have a qualified person in attendance during propane transfers?

LEARNING ACTIVITY Stage a common workday scenario or use an illustration with several issues that need to be addressed. Have participants identify hazards and discuss how to remedy.

For more information about hazards and precautions for propane transfers, visit propanesafety.com.

Source: Basic Plant Operations (PERC)

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For inventory and availability, call 888-432-8875 or visit www.TRANSWESTTRAILERS.com November 2020 •

Texas Propane

21

Fleet Safety

Safe Driving Practices During Deer Season

Fleet drivers should be reminded of best practices for avoiding deer as well as what to do if they do encounter one.

In many parts of the country, driving becomes more dangerous from October through January. That’s because it’s deer breeding season and meeting a startled animal on the road can be a frightening experience that can easily lead to a collision, injuries and even a fatality.

Fleet drivers should be reminded of best practices for avoiding deer as well as what to do if they do encounter one. Experts offering the following advice: Buckle up

As always, make sure your seat belt is securely fastened when driving during deer season.

Slow Down at Deer Crossing Signs

The signs are posted for a purpose, so proceed with caution.

Be Cautious on Two-Lane Roads

Deer are most prevalent on the side of two-lane roads, and in early morning and early evening hours from the fall through

22

early winter. This is because deer are aware and afraid of hunters in the woods—so they leave the forest. What’s more, in addition to regular hours, hunters in many areas are often allowed to hunt one half hour before sunrise and one-half hour before sunset.

Don’t Swerve

Remember the Herd

Experts suggest that it is better to just hit your brakes up until the last second of impact—then release the brakes. By using this technique, when you hit the deer it will most likely propel away from your vehicle instead of crashing on or through your windshield or roof—both of which situations can cause serious injury to the driver.

If you see one deer, there are likely many more. Deer rarely travel alone but rather as a herd.

Use High Beams at Night

If you think you are about to hit a deer, do not swerve to avoid it. Swerving often causes the driver to hit a tree, a vehicle or another object—and that’s when the most injuries and fatalities occur.

Brake Then Release

During deer season, use your high beams at night as they can help you scan for deer eye reflections, making it easier to spot one in the dark.

If you do encounter a deer in the road— or believe you are about to hit one— here is what experts suggest:

Stay Away from Wounded Animals

Reduce Speed, Flash Headlights, and Honk

Call the Police

Deer seem to be in a trace when they see headlights, so flashing and honking helps awaken them to oncoming danger and prompts them to run out of the roadway.

Report all vehicle-deer collisions to the police.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

If you do strike a deer and it is still alive in the road, stay far away from it to avoid scaring it and for your own safety.

Reprinted with permission from Automotive Fleet magazine www.automotive-fleet.com

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

23

PERC News

Propane Online Learning Center Enhanced in Late October 2020

What Will You Find on the New Upgraded Platform?

Since the original launch of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)’s

Online Learning Center in 2019, more than 7,000 users have processed more

than 80,000 pieces of content training modules, assessments, and exams on the site. PERC’s Online Learning Center has something for everyone, whether you are in the field, in the office, on the phones, or even in sales.

Last month, in October PERC upgraded its popular Online Learning Center https://training.propane.com to a new platform that will make the site more userfriendly. Searching for courses will be easier than ever, as well, to help you find the training materials you’re looking for fast.

In addition to the improved navigation, users will notice: Offline Training – You can now download a training course, complete the training offline, reconnect to the internet and upload the results.

FUEL YOUR PROFITS WITH LOWER WORKERS’ COMP PREMIUMS Endorsed by:

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Machine Learning – This added feature enables the system to recommend training based on each user’s history of completed modules.

Electronic Skills Assessment – This enhancement will enable certified evaluators to perform a skill assessment electronically for users from the same company.

Improved Reporting – Improved reporting capability makes it easier to access user history/information.

Enhanced Help – PERC LMS Help Desk has been upgraded as well. New

RCC IS READY TO BE

chat feature can reach PERC training staff during regular business hours. You can still call and email, but chat feature there if you want immediate answers.

New Training – PERC is adding new additional shorter versions of some courses including: Intro to the Propane Industry, Fundamentals of Propane, Cylinder Delivery Operations, & Bobtail Delivery Operations.

New Materials – PERC also added On the Job Training Handbook with worksheets and Compliance Handbook.

Read more about these new courses

and materials in the December 2020 Texas Propane magazine.

User passwords will be reset due to upgrade.

All completed training records will still be available, but any in-progress training that was not completed by October 22, 2020 will be lost, meaning employee will have to start from the beginning of that module/course.

PERC staff is available to assist or answer questions. Contact us at Learning@ propane.com.

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Aboveground | Underground | Above/Underground Dispenser | Anhydrous Ammonia November 2020 •

Texas Propane

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Inside the Industry

People in Propane Russ Ridings, vice-president of Gas Equipment Company has retired after 40 years with the company. Russ started with GEC in 1980 as Inside Sales in the Dallas office. His role at GEC changed several times over the years as he helped the LaDue family grow the business. His presence has been felt in the propane industry as well with his participation in various organizations including TPGA and NPGA. Now he will have the time to do the things he likes – exploring the country in his RV, riding his motorcycle and enjoying a glass of wine. We all join in wishing Russ the best retirement filled with fun and happiness.

print your company name on each mailer.

Formal registration is required. Mailing list must be uploaded to the form. Please do not email lists. Register and upload your “Texas” propane customer mailing lists to the form at https://pct.ginnysprinting.com/ by no later than December 4, 2020.

NPGA Safety Award

Michael Dunn, 71, former president and CEO of Suburban Propane, has passed away. Mr. Dunn was a graduate of La Salle University, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After relocating to the New York City area, he worked at Goldman Sachs for 18 years. After leaving Goldman Sachs, he joined Suburban Propane as the vice president of product supply. He worked his way up to become president and CEO of the company. He retired in 2014. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Subscribe Your Customers to the Winter 2020 Propane Living

TX Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program Deadline is December 4, 2020

NPGA Safety Awards are bestowed upon individuals, companies, or branches of larger firms that have made extraordinary contributions to industry safety through public or community education, hazardous materials training and support, or employee training. NPGA’s Technology, Standards and Safety (TS&S) Committee chairs (past and present) select the award recipient(s).

You can nominate an individual or company. Nomination deadline is December 1, 2020. Go to www.npga.org to learn more about this and other NPGA awards.

National Veterans Small Business Week

Tis’ the season to remind your customers about some important winter tips.

Subscribe your customers to the Propane Council of Texas’ Winter Propane Living newsletter to get propane educational and marketing information to your customers. Order in bulk to your office to hand out on your bobtail routes or provide us with a mailing list and the Propane Council of Texas will mail it for you.

ProCOT covers the postage and shipping. You are in charge of a $49 fulfillment fee and less than 4 cents per address/newsletter.

Download previous Propane Livings and sign up your customers at https:// www.propanecounciloftexas.org/programs-and-projects.

Deadline is December 1, 2020.

Questions? Call (800)325-7427 or email info@propanecounciloftexas.org.

26

The Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program is a servicebased project that uses the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) ‘s Important Information For You & Your Family scratch ‘n sniff safety brochure with the Railroad Commission required consumer safety notification added and mails it to your Texas customers on your behalf.

As part of this service, the Council provides documentation of your mailing in the form of a detailed postage receipt and notarized affidavit.

ProCOT covers the propane safety brochure when mailed through our program and the cost of non-profit bulk postage to all of your Texas propane customers through a PERC grant.

Texas Propane Retailers Cost: • Annual $35 fulfillment fee • 8 cents per address processing fee to im-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Each year the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates, connects, and empowers service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW). This year marks the seventh annual NVSBW. Join SBA district offices, resources partners, and other organizations as they celebrate the veteran- and military-owned business community on November 2-6, 2020.

Find events near you at https://www. sba.gov/national-veterans-small-business-week.

Inside the Industry How to Save Money on Tires

1. Be a current member of the Texas Propane Gas Association in the U.S. 2. Enroll in the TPGA Member Tire Program 3. Get national account numbers sent to you from Tire Program Manager 3. Buy Michelin, BF Goodrich, Yokohama & Cooper tires from most any dealer local, regional or national.

4. Buy from your dealer, but get an invoice from our partner, TXTA, after your tire purchase with the discount.

TPGA members, call (800)325-7427 to request a tire enrollment application.

TPGA members, check your free listing by visiting the directory at https://propanetexas.com/find-a-retailer and typing in the county you service.

TPGA members, are you in the direc-

tory? If not, submit a form with your location information.

If you are already listed in the directory, has any of your company information changed? Have you added a new location?

Have you closed an office? If so, send us your changes or your new location(s) and the counties you serve.

TPGA members, add your location or update your location and company information on the form found at https:// form.jotform.com/202953905537158.

Questions? Please contact us at (800)325-7427.

Updated Online Dispensing Propane Safely Course Now Available

Dispensing Propane Safely, one of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)’s most sought-after training programs nationwide, has been updated and is available on The Learning Center.

The popular course includes new videos with updated curriculum detailing how to safely and effectively dispense propane into several types of cylinders and tanks, including those found at retail locations, bulk plants, and in forklift operations.

Take the online at https://training.propane.com.

Update Your Texas Find a Propane Retailer Listing Before Winter

The Texas Find a Propane Retailer is a directory hosted by the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) to help consumers find propane retailers in their area.

All Category E TPGA member companies can get a free listing for each location they have.

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

27

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

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FOR SALE (2) 20,000 gallon, 300 psi, NH3, 2001 (2) 18,000 gallon, 250 psi, skidded, 2008 Contact: Jim Oliver 936-755-6108 petrostar@pdq.net

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• 2005 Peterbilt, 6 speed, 2800 gal. tank, 300,000 miles.

• 1964 Transport Trailer, 10,600 gal., Hydraulic pump, Rear load, Runs daily, Freshly repainted and Ready to go.

Call or email for Pictures and Pricing @ 512-276-7800 or 1-800-696-3493 or sturner@directpropaneservices.com

REACH OVER 1,000 READERS YOUR AD COULD BE HERE AFFORDABLE CLASSIFIEDS

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

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Calendar NOVEMBER

2-6 WLPGA e-LPG Week 10 PERC Council Virtual Meeting 15-17 AC, Heating & Refrigeration Institute Virtual Leadership Forum 16 PERC Autogas Webinar with Greens Blue Flame Gas 18 PERC Project of the Year Deadline 26-27 TPGA & PSC office closed for Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

1 Winter 2020 Propane Living Deadline

Index to Advertisers 4 ProCOT Duty to Warn Registration Deadline

POSTPONED

6-10 23rd World Petroleum Congress Houston, TX

POSTPONED

8-10 Power-Gen International Orlando, FL

24-25 TPGA & PSC office closed for Christmas

JANUARY 2021

1 TPGA & PSC office closed for New Year’s Day 12 Texas Legislative Session begins 31 - FEB 02 2021 NPGA Winter Board of Directors Meeting Rancho Mirage, CA

Follow Us with TPGA’s twitter @txpropane1

Click LIKE on the Texas Propane Gas Association Page

BLT Tanks 23 Cunningham Gas Products 17 Ferrellgas 15 Fisk Tank Carrier Inc. Outside Back Cover Gas Equipment Company 21 Lone Star Energy Group 24 Longhorn Propane 28 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 19 Marshall Young Insurance 15 Meeder Equipment Co. 5 Pinnacle Propane Inside Front Cover Propane Service Corporation 17 Quality Steel Corporation 25 Rural Computer Consultants 25 Transwest Trailers 21 Westmor Industries 27 White River Distributors 11

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For Advertising, contact: Joanne Pantaze at 512-273-2639 or by email at jpantaze@zochnet.com

November 2020 •

Texas Propane

29

Propane With Purpose

Retractable Star Wars Light Saber Powered by Propane

The latest viral video on the internet with over 15 million views and picked up from new outlets from around the world from the New York Post to the Daily Mail is of the world’s first plasma retractable light saber powered by propane.

A popular YouTuber, James Hobson, known as “the Hacksmith” loves building gadgets and turning popular science fiction items into reality, and was looking for energy dense fuel to power his project.

high energy output, about enough to power a nuclear plant, he claims, their lightsaber is connected to a custom-built backpack that serves as the power source, with a circuit that can control the flow of gas.”

This 4000 F degree propane powered light saber is so powerful it can cut through steel not unlike the popular scene where Luke Skywalker loses a hand in the infamous fight scene with Darth Vader from Empire Strikes Back.

Inspired by a love of Star Wars, he has previously made various lightsabers, but wanted to produce “the world’s first, retractable, plasma based” version like the ones wielded by Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. For this, the internet-famous engineers used liquid petroleum gas citing it can create 50 times more energy content than previous versions created on the channel as part of his “Make It Real” series.

“The liquid fuel is mixed with oxygen and turned into a superheated beam of plasma via laminar flow, a physical phenomenon which allow liquids to flow smoothly,” the New York Post reported.

The Hacksmith said that it took several months for he and his team to create and perfect this technology because creating a light saber with this type technology is “literally rocket science.”

The Post goes on to report, “To be able to capture and control such

For more information, visit https://www.hacksmith.tech.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

This is not the only project the popular YouTuber uses propane for.

Propane powers several “Make It Real” Projects.

Check out the videos of this propane powered technologies at https:// www.youtube.com/ and search “The Hacksmith.”

A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO $1,500

pro

je ct of the

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