Meet the Propane Players

Your guide to the organizations that promote and protect the propane industry

There are multiple organizations that represent the propane industry in one way or another. Each complement and work together, but it can be confusing remembering each of the organizations and what they provide. In this issue of Texas Propane magazine, we try to break it down for you.

Texas Propane Gas Association

Established in 1944 as the Texas Butane Dealers Association, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA), is an advocate and the voice for the propane industry in Texas. Our member-led association represents the propane industry in front of local governments, the legislature, state and federal regulators, and code and standard councils. Our 225 members consist of dispenser operators, propane retailers, producers, wholesalers, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and an array of vendors providing valuable services to the propane industry.

National Propane Gas Association

Formed as the National Bottled Gas Association in 1931, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) still lights the path today with a membership of 2,800 companies representing every segment of the propane industry including producers and wholesalers; manufacturers and distributors of propane equipment; as well as fabricators of propane cylinders and tanks. The focus of NPGA’s advocacy is preventing unnecessary legislative and regulatory restrictions on the use of propane. NPGA represents the industry in Washington, DC, and supports affiliated state and regional associations in their advocacy efforts.

Propane Education & Research Council

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), which just celebrated its 25th anniversary this past October, is a national nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC programs benefit a variety of markets including, residential and commercial building, agriculture, commercial landscaping, and transportation. PERC’s operations and activities are funded by an assessment on each gallon of propane gas. Their programs and assets are accessible to anyone in the propane industry.

Propane Council of Texas

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT), a nonprofit educational and marketing foundation, was started just a year later in 1997. The organization will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. With funds allocated to Texas from the PERC assessment, ProCOT institutes numerous programs and initiatives with a residential consumer education and marketing focus and augments national campaigns on the state level. The Council’s programs are open to any Texas propane retailer across the Lone Star state.

NPGA and Its Many Roles

“The critical role that NPGA plays is engaging with other national organizations, lobbyists and Congress in order to promote the industry’s interests. This is not just with legislators, but it’s also with regulators. The regulatory piece is probably the most important,” said NPGA Chairman, Bob Barry of Bergquist.

The National Propane Gas Association is your boots on the ground in Washington D.C. representing the propane industry interests with a multitude of federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In particular, the portable nature of propane and common delivery systems are heavily regulated by the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within DOT.

NPGA’s legislative affairs team serves as the association’s primary representation on Capitol Hill, working to advance the propane industry’s policy agenda in Washington, D.C. Through meetings and events, the legislative affairs team works to educate members of Congress on the important role the propane industry plays around the country.

NPGA has its own Propane Caucus made of several members of Congress from across the country including Texas. NPGA has also formed the Propane Caucus to provide a bipartisan forum to engage members of Congress, their staff, and others on issues of importance to the propane industry.

“I believe the NGPA is extremely critical in our industry not only in Texas but in every state,” TPGA President Josh McAdams said. “A couple of examples: NPGA lobbyists have the ear of many in Washington D.C. and work tirelessly to defend our industry from many threats including the ‘electrify everything’ movement going on in so many parts of our country. NPGA works with PERC to educate Americans that propane is a clean fossil fuel and has a much smaller carbon footprint than many of its competing fuels. Further, NPGA works with FMCSA when we need hours of service waivers when inclement weather affects a certain region, and our industry’s trucks need to be able to deliver in extended hours. Most states would not be able to get these things accomplished by themselves, and NPGA gives our industry the voice it needs to attain goals such as these on a national level.” “During the snowstorm of 2021, and the recent hurricanes, they helped us get the hours-of-service waivers we needed to get product delivered along the Gulf Coast. In addition, Texas has been fighting a major lawsuit with many municipalities over the past couple of years. NPGA stepped in and helped TPGA with funding to help with this, and through this funding TPGA was able to get a favorable decision handed down from the Supreme Court of Texas. All of these things have a huge impact on my business,” McAdams continued.

Some recent legislative and regulatory successes are highlighted. This is by no means exhaustive list of recent wins over the last few years and does not include 2021 wins, some you will need to read about in NPGA and TPGA member only e-communications in January/February 2022.

• Essential worker status declared early in pandemic.

Due to NPGA’s work to include propane on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s essential critical infrastructure list, the industry was not restricted from providing nearly 3 billion gallons during the early months of the national emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Regional emergency declaration waivers.

Since 2017, NPGA advocacy secured regional emergency declarations in response to 29 disasters.

• $250 million every year in stain tube testing and labor costs.

NPGA defeated an onerous proposal by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to require quantitative odorant testing of propane at each point of transfer.

• $250 million on liquids pipeline rates.

NPGA successfully reduced liquids pipeline rates on propane through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), saving up to $300 million.

• $207 million per year in the unvented heater market.

NPGA continues to battle ASHRAE’s proposals to ban

unvented heaters and has blocked the proposal on multiple occasions before.

• $45 million in expanded LIHEAP funding.

NPGA helped convince Congress to allocate an additional $900 million to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); about $45 million falls to propane’s share of the residential heating market.

• $30 million in inspection costs.

NPGA helped defeat onerous five-year inspection requirements proposed for bulk and industrial plants.

• $1,000 per year/per bobtail in insurance.

NPGA convinced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to withdraw a proposal to redefine the insurance program required for bobtails.

The National Propane Gas Association not only works propane specific issues but matters that effect multiple industries. NPGA partners with a multitude of organizations on a number of issues. For instance, partnering with the American Gas Association (AGA), the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) and others to fight electrification and stop gas bans by local municipalities. Also, most recently, in November, National Propane Gas Association was part of a coalition of 95 other organizations that penned a letter to President Biden with a list of solutions on the recent supply chain issues to help the transportation industry with suggestions from everything from vaccine exemptions for drivers to additional hours of service relief.

Check out NPGA’s Advocacy calculator at https://www.npga. org/advocacy/advocacy-calculator/ to see how much they are saving your propane business.

In addition to agencies, NPGA Technology, Standards, and Safety Committee drives the code development process at the state, regional, and national levels.

A NPGA REPRESENTATIVE(S) SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING CODE & TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

NFPA 58-Liquefied Petroleum Gases Code NFPA 54-National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 59-Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas Plants NFPA 501-Manufactured Homes NFPA 1192 Recreational Vehicles NFPA 30A-Automotive & Marine Service Stations NFPA 715 Fuel Gases Warning Equipment NFPA 56 Gas Process Safety Code NFPA 101 Life Safety Code NFPA 5000 Building Code NFPA 160-Flame Effects NFPA 1126 – Pyrotechnics AGA Building & Energy Codes Subcommittee Compressed Gas Association Hazardous Materials Committee Compressed Gas Association LP-Gas Committee ASHRAE 62.2 Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality, Low-Rise Residential Buildings ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential ASHRAE 189.1 High-Performance Green Buildings ASHRAE 90.2 Energy Efficient Low-Rise Residential Buildings ASHRAE 100 Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings ASHRAE 105 Standard for Measuring & Expressing Energy Performance & Greenhouse Gas Emissions ASHRAE 228P Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Energy Building Performance ASTM D-2 Committee H on LPG Specification ASTM D-3 Committee on Gaseous Fuels ANSI Z21/83 Committee CSA Steering Committee on Fuels & Appliances CSA Strategic Steering Committee on Transportation CSA Strategic Steering Committee on Propane Autogas Z21/83 Furnaces Subcommittee Z21/83 Outdoor Cooking Gas Appliances Z21/83 Refrigerators & Camping Equipment Z21/83 Automatic Controls Z21/83 Water Heaters Z21/83 Unvented Heaters Z21/83 Agricultural/Construction Heaters Z21/83 Gas Connectors Z21/83 Manual Valves UL Standards Technical Panel (STP) 144, LP-Gas Regulators UL STP 125, Valves for Anhydrous Ammonia & LP-Gas UL STP 147, Hand-held Torches for Fuel Gases UL 1769, LP-Gas Cylinder Valves & OPD Valves UL 495, LP-Gas Dispensers ANSI A119 Recreational Vehicles & Recreational Vehicle Parks & Campgrounds International Fuel Gas Code Committee International Codes Council Industry Advisory Committee National Conference on Weights & Measures International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code Committee International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Mechanical Code Committee

Resources & Tools

NPGA keeps its members informed each week on upcoming federal requirements, compliance deadlines, regulatory successes and pertinent industry news through its weekly newsletter, the Bobtail, out every Thursday.

Every time there is a significant regulatory change, NPGA provides its members with fact sheets, white papers, guidance, support materials and informative webinars to assist the propane industry in garnering a better understanding on new regulation or regulatory change.

NPGA’s Propane Logistics Analysis Network tool provides supply points as well as waiting times at racks so drivers can maximize hours of service. This tool is available to all industry members regardless of membership via the NPGAction app or http://plan.npga.org.

Discounts & Exclusive Services

In additional to its regulatory and legislative successes, NPGA members receive discounts or exclusive services on uniforms, insurance, collections, email marketing service, compliance system, office supplies, and tires.

In addition to their affinity programs, NPGA offers complimentary HR support through a partnership with HR firm. Members have access to a training and support system designed to provide easy-to-understand solutions to employment issues. HR University provides samples for several human resources forms including timesheets, employment applications, leave requests, reports, and much more. HR University is valued at $600 per year, but NPGA members have access to this useful toolbox at no charge. Members can also get answers to HR questions by emailing an on-staff expert.

“Also, being a member of NPGA is a way of engaging in the community that we are part of,” touts Bob Barry.

At TPGA’s fall board meeting in Austin, the TPGA board of directors unanimously upheld our affiliation agreement with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). Developed over 20 years ago, the current affiliation agreement states propane retailers who wish to join one of the associations, must join both the state and national organization.

Your State Propane Gas Association

The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) is the state counterpart to NPGA. TPGA is member based and any company representing any facet of the propane industry is invited to join TPGA and gain access to pertinent information and assistance throughout the year.

Advocacy

TPGA represents the Texas propane industry through the state legislature, as well as regulatory agencies and bodies.

During the most recent legislative session, TPGA waded through 9,999 pieces of legislation and monitored over 300 flagged bills for potential impact to propane businesses that make up our membership. TPGA helps block any overly onerous requirements placed on the propane industry and champions legislation that will assist our industry in a multitude of ways, from facilitating more opportunities for the propane industry to ensuring that your interests are protected.

“When it comes to dealing with legislative efforts, marketers are small and it’s hard for them to make a difference [individually]. But with this trade association, we’re able to get together and come forward as a large united group,” TPGA President Josh McAdams emphasized.

“It is important to have a louder voice than just your company in the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Legislature, and other government agencies, and it is important to know what rules and regulations are coming down from these agencies so that you can be knowledgeable about them, TPGA does that for its members,” McAdams added.

In recent years, TPGA has helped eliminate the state tax on propane motor fuel and remove a requirement that would’ve mandated propane certified professionals to periodically retest every few years no matter their tenure in the industry. It has additionally helped shepherd legislation through that expands alternative fuel vehicle and bus incentives and grants in Texas. As a result, the propane industry has been able to leverage millions of dollars in grants not just for their customers, but also for their own service vehicles and bobtails.

“Our strength is our members,” TPGA Executive Director Bill Van Hoy said. “Our grassroots efforts are second to none, and when called upon they definitely act and will help in the efforts in the legislative sphere.”

The Texas Propane Gas Association represents the propane industry outside the legislature working with or keeping members informed on several executive and state agencies including the Governor’s office, the Railroad Commission of Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Comptroller, the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and other relevant agencies.

TPGA does not just work with state entities, but we have close working relationship with the Excise Tax division of the IRS, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Pipeline Hazardous Materials & Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and other federal agencies, as well.

Navigating Rules, Regulations & Laws

“Those who do not address the changes in the mandatory regs are going to be left behind and this is the big thing TPGA can bring to the members,” Richard Gilbert said.

Nearly daily, TPGA assists members one-on one with their questions on rules, regulations, laws, standards and codes, as well as ordinances.

“It does come quickly and sometimes there’s some significant changes that you may not be aware of,” TPGA Technical & Standards Committee Chair Sean Caney said.

“TPGA offers a lot of information and a lot of materials that we need to stay in compliance,” said Larry Baty with Cadenhead Servis Gas out of the Dallas area.

One of strengths is through digital communications. TPGA sends out member-only communications 52 weeks a year to alert members on both state and federal regulatory changes with the Monday Morning Messenger and individual time-sensitive alerts.

The Monday Morning Messenger includes a calendar each week that includes compliance deadlines, waiver termination dates, and roadside enforcement events.

Keeping our members informed has helped our members with compliance and assisted in RRC inspections and DOT audits, preventing countless violations and penalties.

“I would tell you that biggest thing you can get out of TPGA is knowledge,” said John Walter of Schneider Distributing in San Angelo.

“There is a wealth of knowledge out there through this association that is that is at your disposal at any time,” Jeremy Gentile of Hill Butane said.

Financial Reprieve

“We have saved our members tens of thousands maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars by keeping them up with what is required to stay compliant,” touts TPGA Executive Director Bill Van Hoy.

Over the years, in addition to preventing violations and associated penalty fees, the association has offered a number of discount programs from past health insurance to now our current programs today.

TPGA is always looking for ways our members can save money. The Texas Propane Gas Association has found some affinity partners that offer competitive pricing on credit card processing, workers comp insurance, as well as tires.

Propane Service Corporation (PSC) has always given members discounts on an array of propane compliance and safety products including signs, decals, books, forms and consumer educational materials, all accessible through its e-commerce shop at www.propaneservicecorp.com.

TPGA email/fax communications like the Messenger not only include regulatory information but also information on tax credits, incentives, grants, and other financial opportunities. During the heating season (October – March), TPGA sends out its Winter Weekly with supply and national, regional and state price data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

TPGA also helps drive new business. Consumers looking for propane frequently contact TPGA and we always refer them to our members through our Member Only Find a Texas Propane Retailer tool at www.propanetexas.com, which exclusively lists TPGA members.

Connections

TPGA is not just an advocacy organization, but it has helped bring together propane professionals from all over the state. They forge friendships through these connections, but also learn best practices from one another.

“It’s almost like a family reunion,” Matt Peterson of Buster Brown Propane said. “You go there you talk to everybody that’s in the same industry. They have the same struggles; they have the same challenges… TPGA’s just right there with us all and working through it.”

Members get together throughout the year in the form of district meetings, association committee meetings, board meetings and an annual convention and expo. TPGA provides a perfect platform for members to engage with one another.

“TPGA needs to be and should be part of your business” TPGA Executive Director Bill Van Hoy said.

Both NPGA and TPGA work hand in hand on be voice and advocate for the propane industry.

Look for 2022 editions of Texas Propane magazine as we feature more about what PERC’s and ProCOT’s roles are in the industry.