April 2019 Texas Propane magazine

TexasPropane April 2019

Volume 75 No. 4

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

Tap Grants: Complimentary Grant Writing Available

Texas Energy Day:

Strength in Numbers

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 April 2019

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 Publisher

Kim Scheberle Account Manager/Managing Editor Sail House Publishing 512-346-0892 kscheberle@austin.rr.com

Features Texas Energy Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Propane Partners with Industry for Massive Capitol Event

Did You Know?! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 You Could be Getting Grant Money for Propane Projects ‌AND Not Even Have to Write a Grant Proposal!

Convention Sidetrip: South Texas Music Walk of Fame. . . . . . . 20 TPGA Scholarship Competition Round Opened. . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Propane Council Meets to Complete Winter Business. . . . . . . . 22

Departments Highlights from Headquarter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Joanne Pantaze Advertising Sales 512-273-2639 jpantaze@pvco.net

TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Kiki Pantaze Art Director 512-924-7566 kpantaze@pvco.net

Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Safety Talk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 People in Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Highlights from Headquarters

Propane Grants Available in Texas – Act Fast Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director One of our feature articles this month is a recap of TPGA’s inaugural participation in Texas Energy Days. Over 700 people in the oil and gas industry participated in this one-day event here in Austin, and shared with lawmakers why propane, oil and natural gas make a difference in the lives of so many Texans.

You will want to read the article starting on page 14 about available propane grants!

The state of Texas has a variety of propane grants available through TCEQ, and ProCOT will provide grant writing advice and services to you. There is funding out there

for propane service vehicles, propane bobtails and customer vehicles (fleets) in Texas.

There are even programs for propane retrofit kits certified by the EPA and CARB if converted within the first 500 miles. On page 15 you can read examples of how some retailers have benefitted from these programs. Don’t wait as these programs close soon for 2019 on May 31, 2019 – so you need to act fast!

Registration and exhibit sales are open for the 2019 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo & Conference in August in Corpus Christi. PERC’s Propane Can Do That training has been added to the schedule this year, along with a fishing excursion.

Save yourself some money – don’t miss the early bird registration deadline or the hotel group discount deadline. Sign up today!

2019 CROSSROADS SPONSORS Golf Tournament Targa Resources Convention Bags Enterprise Products Lanyards Keyera Energy Expo Floor Beverages Westmor Industries TPGA Partner Quality Steel Propane Genius Bar PERC AFFINITY PARTNERS BASYS • Lone Star Energy Group

New Member Supplier OTODATA Montreal, Canada

2018-2019 TPGA Board of Directors President: Jack Walzel, Tri-Co Propane, 254-642-3885 President Elect: Mark Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 Secretary: Harris Baker, HBH Systems, 512-587-8347 Treasurer/Finance Chair: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 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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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: 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 Past President: Todd Dorris, Roadrunner Energy, 830-278-5317 Vice President: Allen Wells, Baygas, Bay Gas, 281-332-2630 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: Don Hankins, Alamo Corporate Group, 817-615-8393 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Director: Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas Sales, 713-851-6155 Assoc. Producer/Marketing Gas Alternate: Anna May Etheredge, Bishop Energy, 940-665-4672 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Director: Mark Smith, Leran, 512-318-1840 Assoc. Manufacturer/Distributor Alternate: Jim Diehl, Squibb Taylor, 214-357-4591 Assoc. At Large Director: Tracy Wells, Gas Equipment Company, 214-638-8018 Assoc. At Large Director: J.R. Anderson, Gas Equipment Company, Nominating Chair: Todd Dorris, Roadrunner Energy, 830-278-5317 NPGA Director: Jim Bishop, Bishop Energy, 940-665-3457

Registration & Exhibit Sales Now Open

Early Bird Discount Cutoff 7/1/19

Go to http://www.cvent.com/d/j6qz55 for info, to register and exhibit.

TPGA Propane Expo & Conference August 8 – 10, 2019 Corpus Christi, TX

April 2019 •

Texas Propane

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Texas Energy Day:

Propane Partners with Industry for Massive Capitol Event This February marked the beginning of a new chapter in TPGA history.

The association participated in Texas Energy Day on February 20, 2019, joining forces with myriad other Texas oil and gas industry voices for a massive one-day event. Over 700 Texans, including dozens of propane marketers and suppliers, gathered at the Texas Capitol to share with their lawmakers why propane, oil and natural gas matters to them, their families, and the state.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Featured

April 2019 •

Texas Propane

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Featured TPGA President Jack Walzel delivers a bag of energy “goodies” to a legislative staffer during Texas Energy Day.

This was the first year for TPGA to participate in Texas Energy Day, and only the second year that Texas Energy Day was held.

The event was organized by the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) under the director of their president, Todd Staples, a former Texas legislator. For TPGA, it replaced the traditional Propane Days stand-alone event that is traditionally put together.

Joining forces with others in the oil and gas industry created the opportunity to show Texas lawmakers how important the Texas energy market is to the state. It also meant that attendees were treated to a show-stopping program before meeting with legislators in the capitol and at a reception that followed.

The focus was on educating legislators and their staff about what the energy business does as a whole, and how it contributes to the healthy Texas economy. For instance, the combined energy industries paid $14 billion in state and local taxes and royalties in fiscal year 2018.

In addition to the terrific speaker series, attendees were treated to Texas chili on the South lawn of the Capitol, a block-long display of oil and gas products (including a propane-fueled school bus), visits with legislators and their staffs, access to delegation meet-

ings where attendees from geographic areas and cities could meet and talk through things specific to their communities, and a reception/ happy hour where attendees could mingle with lawmakers.

Propane attendees were not advocating for specific bills, but rather working on building relationships and rapport with lawmakers and their staff.

“It was a really incredible event,” said TPGA President Jack Walzel, of Tri-Co Propane. “It was really, really well organized. The speakers were great. And you got so much more coverage because it was a such a large group.”

Walzel, who has attended several Propane Days in the past, said that listening to all of the speakers gave him a much better perspective on how the Texas budget is spent.“It gave us an idea of what they’re up against.”

David Collett, who is currently serving as TPGA District 1 Director, said that having such a large group drew a lot of attention.

“They were really attentive to what we were saying,” Collett said. “They came to the meetings and they came to the reception afterwards.” He said he enjoyed getting to talk with his senator at the reception for quite a bit. “It’s good to see them in such a relaxed setting.”

Don Heinrich, with Slaton Gas, was particularly pleased with listening to and meeting Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton. “He speaks our language,” Heinrich said. “He knows what he’s doing.

That’s what we need down there [in Austin].” He also enjoyed listening to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and TCEQ Commissioner Emily Lindley. “We have to deal with TCEQ on a daily basis.

It was good to hear what they had to say.” Todd Dorris, with Roadrunner Energy in Uvalde, says that being part of a larger group had some advantages. “It shows not only the variety, but also the importance of the energy sources produced in Texas, by Texans,” he said, adding “[Our industries]

“Texas Energy Day was a really incredible event. ...

The speakers were great. And you got so much more coverage because it was a such a large group.”

TPGA President Jack Walzel, of Tri-Co Propane

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

April 2019 •

Texas Propane

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Featured

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick kicked off a fantastic line-up of speakers for Texas Energy Day.

are so economically vital not only for Texas, but also nationally and even globally.”

Speaker Highlights

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick provided an overview of the Texas economy for the standing room only crowd that started their day across the street from the Capitol at the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center.

“We are the tenth largest economy on the planet,” Lt. Governor Patrick said. “So if we are a country, we are larger than Russia. Only nine countries are larger than our $1.7 billion gross economic output.”

He asked attendees to imagine the Texas budget as an old-fashion round clock. “From noon to almost 7 o’clock is what we spend on education,” he said, for a total of 52 percent of the budget. Healthcare costs represented 7 to 10 o’clock (or 31 percent of the budget), and 10 to 11 o’clock (or 11 percent), is spent on public safety. In total 94 percent of our budget is spent on these three items. Which leaves 6 percent for the remainder of

our state’s needs.

“Our budget is set in large part because of your industry,” he continued, saying that if the oil and gas industry was healthy, the state would follow. “You move the needle on everything.”

He also pointed out that the health of the Rainy Day Fund was due in large part to the success of the oil and gas industries. He asked folks to think of the Fund as a “savings account.”

“We have more in our savings account than almost all of the other states in they country combined,” Lt. Governor Patrick said.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton, who followed the Lieutenant Governor, has the distinction of being the first engineer in 50 years to serve as a Commissioner. He told the crowd he ran for the office because he wanted to make a difference and move the needle on the public’s perception on the industry as a whole.

While working at a variety of places in the industry, “one constant thing that disappointed me was the way that the general public viewed the oil and gas industry,” Commissioner Sitton said. “It bothered me that the entire space was branded as if we were a bunch of redneck cowboys out to do anything to make a buck. To heck with the environment. To heck with communities that we work in. To heck with our neighborhoods. To heck with places we would go camping.”

“That really ate at me,” he said. “I was really proud of what we did.”

“I want to challenge you with this. When we go to our kids’ basketball game, or we go to our friend’s poker group, or we go to church on Sunday…when the conversation turns to what you do for a living…tell them you are in the business of providing the world affordable, reliable energy.”

Commissioner Sitton says that the need for affordable, reliable energy cuts across party lines, and that everyone in the industry needs to be doing a better job getting that message out there.

“That’s why I became a Railroad Commissioner.”

Emily Lindley, a TCEQ Commissioner who hails originally from Midland, says that she knows no one likes seeing their trucks pull up. But if it’s not the TCEQ, then it would be the federal government.

“You can’t live with us, you can’t live without us.”

Other speakers included Texas House Energy Resources Committee Chairman Chris Paddie and TXOGA President Todd Staples.

Staples said everyone should make sure to tell their story. “The story of Texas energy is the story of Texas,” he said.“Energy has built this great state.

It has enabled us to have the best economy in the world.”

“Tell your story.”

“The story of Texas energy is the story of Texas. ...Energy has built this great state. It has enabled us to have the best economy in the world. Tell your story.”

Todd Staples, TXOGA

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

View more pictures of Texas Energy Day at www.txpropane.smugmug.com Continued on page 12.

Featured Fueling Our Future: Oil & Gas By the Numbers

$14 billion

Paid in state and local taxes and royalties in fiscal year 2018

$38 million a day

#1

producing state in the #1 producing nation

$133 billion Paid from FY07-FY18

$463 billion Impact on the state economy in 2017

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Puzzled by Modern Marketing?

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In the past year alone, Warm Thoughts has generated 1.7 million website visits, 220,000 Facebook “likes”, 2,180 positive reviews and 138,000 leads.

We have the ideas, solutions and industry experience to simplify your options and get you more bang for your buck.

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See our work at warmthoughts.com

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Web and Social Media • Brand Differentiation Profitability Enhancement • Direct Response Breakthrough Groups™ • Strategic Consulting and Training Oil • Propane • HVAC • Association Programs April 2019 •

Texas Propane

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Featured

DID YOU KNOW?!

You Could be Getting Grant Money for Propane Projects…

AND Not Even Have to Write a Grant! But ACT FAST! ProCOT provides complimentary grant consultation and service. You do not have to sift through legal verbiage and paperwork, getting hung up on the details of each program to figure out your eligibility.

ProCOT will figure out if you are eligible or not, AND, with your help, write your grant.

Don’t Go At It Alone

It is our pleasure to tell you that the state of Texas can help you utilize and green your fleet with propane, as well as your customers’! There are myriad propane grants available through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), some of which are not even competitive, and the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) will even provide the grant writing advice and services for you! The only catch? A couple of these programs close soon – May 31, 2019 – so you need to act fast!

Many propane marketers and fleets have received these TCEQ Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) grants throughout the years, and you may be able to easily, as well. The majority of funds have not even been applied for. Why let go of free money?

While the nation is in a Volkswagen settlement funding frenzy, Texas has longtime been flush with funding for propane projects.

ProCOT and its grant writing services can direct you to Texas’ funding opportunities, which have been vast for many years, regardless of VW. VW is just the icing on the cake. Some of these opportunities are even non-competitive, just first-come, firstserve. Some natural gas programs have even extended the funding to propane projects now.

There’s funding out there for propane service vehicles, propane bobtails and customer vehicles (fleets) in Texas. There are even programs for propane retrofit kits certified by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

“Thanks to former Representative Tony Dale, propane marketers in Texas have access to more than $15 million to replace their old diesel and gasoline bobtails with propane,” said Heather Ball, ProCOT’s grant writer and executive director of the Texas Natural Gas Foundation.

“Join fellow marketers such as Green’s Blue Flame, Star Tex Propane and Meritum/Pico Propane in upgrading your fleet. ProCOT has made it easy to see if you qualify and offers FREE help to apply for the funding. I’d love to visit with you to start now. I will analyze which grant program offers you the most money and guide you through the application process,” Ball said.

“Some sample grant amounts that your fellow marketers are receiving are MY 2002 gasoline bobtail - $43,036; MY 2004 gasoline bobtail - $24,382; and MY 2004 gasoline service truck - $16,741. Marketers are also eligible for $5,000 for new propane pickups, with no requirement to replace an older one, and no restriction on counties in which to operate,” Ball said.

Background on Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP)

TERP’s mission is to reduce NOx from mobile sources by encouraging the early retirement of polluting vehicles.

TERP is funded through numerous fees including vehicle title fees, its highest revenue generator, as well as a fee on heavy-duty diesel equipment and vehicles, commercial motor vehicle surcharge, commercial motor vehicle inspection fee and Section 185 fees that solely come from non-attainment areas.

In recent years, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) lobbied to get these grants expanded to include propane during the 2017 Texas legislative session and continues to work on

Featured TERP funding during the current session. Programs like the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program and Clean School Bus Program (see below) have been expanded to include propane.

Further, eligible areas for some of the TERP grants have expanded. No longer must all areas be in non-attainment. Fifty new counties have been added to eligibility due to non-attainment proximity, so previously ineligible counties should check again!

Don’t believe you can benefit from these grants? In the last year, the Leander Independent School District received $740,000 for 24 school buses and Nestlé received $1.1M. These are a couple of examples of fleets that have recently received grant funding and that’s doing it on their own. And here are a few propane marketer fleets who have received grants:

Older the vehicle, higher the GVWR, the bigger payout.

Hear from Grant Recipients

“With being a wholesaler of propane, upgrading to propane trucks easily pays for itself, ESPECIALLY when using these grants. In fact, it already makes the cost of the trucks cheaper than diesel,” said Lon Holloway, Sales Manager, Northwest Propane, Carrollton, northwest of Dallas.

Northwest Propane recently acquired two more trucks through the Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program. Its fleet consists of all but one of their more than 40 over-the-road trucks now being propane. They are also converting their service vehicles to propane, with EPA-certified kits.

It makes a lot of sense for propane marketers to use propane, Holloway said. “Regardless of the cost savings and emissions reductions, if nothing else, you are also showing your customers proof that it is viable. Further, for dealers of the fuel, it’s the practical choice,” he said.

“The process to submit these type of grants can be quite laborious, but with the help of ProCOT’s grant writing services, and possibly others involved, such as the truck sales company – in our case - it is so much easier,” said Holloway. “Another way there’s value in your TPGA membership is that they are who’s responsible for getting propane added to the natural gas grants,” Holloway added.

Holloway said they try to impart to their customers such as school districts, as well, the value of using propane and the availability of these grants.

One day Josh Kasprzak, co-owner of Texas Star Propane, Plantersville, was driving down the road and he said it was like a light bulb went on in his head. “It was like, why am I selling pro-

pane and not using it in my personal vehicle,” he said. Kasprzak went on to receive a grant through the Light Duty Vehicle Incentive Program for a Ford F250 conversion.

“Since that vehicle can last me 30 years, I knew it was worth it. I’m already saving 10 percent a month on fuel costs.” Not only that, ProCOT’s grant services helped him a lot, he said. “Sure, writing grants is never the easiest thing in the world, but Heather took the burden away, and it is a kick-butt program, for sure!

In the grand scheme of things, why would you not accept free money to use a fuel that saves you at least 40 percent in the operating costs of the vehicle, helps the environment, and promotes the product you sell,” Kasprzak said.

He said for companies buying new bobtails with the various grants, the savings would be tremendous, and he only wishes he had known about the grant opportunities sooner for those applications. “I’d estimate bobtail delivery trucks would pay for themselves in 24 months with grant funding,” he said.

Some of Your Questions…Answered

You may ask yourself, “Is there a possibility my application could be denied, and why?”

The top reasons this happens is if a program runs out of money (most of these programs are still flush with funds); proof of ownership can’t be proven; missing signatures (yes, really!); and condition of vehicle.

What “condition of vehicle” refers to is the fact that a vehicle may have not been in in use because of its poor condition.

“This is not a cash for clunkers program,” said Nate Hickman, TCEQ. “We are paying for emission reductions.” It is important that the vehicle was in operation, not in a back lot broken down. TCEQ needs to know they are taking a current polluter off the roads. TCEQ does field inspections to prove this.

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used funds for other programs.

Grant Readiness Tips:

Eligibility • Under 10,000 GVWR STATEWIDE • Over 10,000 GVWR Counties: CLEAN TRANSPORTATION ZONE

Clean Transportation Zone

Uvalde

Bandera Medina

Williamson

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Maverick

Zavala

Dimmit

Frio

La Salle

Fayette

Caldwell

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Ellis Falls Fayette Fort Bend Freestone Frio Galveston Goliad Gonzales Gregg Grimes Guadalupe Hardin Harris Harrison Hays Henderson Hill Hood Hunt Jackson

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San Jacinto

Polk

Montgomery Liberty

Tyler

Sabine

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Jasper

Newton

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Orange

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Jackson Matagorda Victoria

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San Ara Patricio

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Webb

Zapata

Austin

Colorado Lavaca

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Duval

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Washington

Bastrop

Guadalupe Gonzales

Bexar

Brazos

Burleson

Lee

Travis

Cass Marion

Trinity

Waller

Blanco

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Walker

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Llano

Gillespie Kerr

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Kinney

Mason

Kimble

Real

Milam

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Houston

Madison

Robertson

Bell

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Menard

Edwards

Lampasas

San Saba

Anderson

Leon

Falls

Camp

Harrison Gregg Smith Panola Rusk

Freestone

Limestone

Bowie

Titus

Wood Upshur

Henderson Navarro

nan

en

Coryell

Rains Van Zandt

Ellis

Hill

McL

Hopkins

ha

Brewster

Val Verde

McCulloch

Johnson

Bosque

Kaufman

Dallas

Delta

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Sutton Terrell

Presidio

Mills

Concho

Rockwall

Tarrant

Somervell

Erath

Comanche

Hunt

W

Schleicher

Brown

Collin

Red River

Lamar

Fannin

Grayson

Denton

Parker Hood

Eastland

Callahan Coleman

Cooke

Wise

itt

Tom Green

Irion

Crockett

Pecos

Runnels

Montague Jack

Young

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Reagan

Taylor

Coke

Clay

Archer

Palo ShackelPinto ford Stephens

Jones

Fisher

Mitchell Nolan

Glasscock Sterling

Baylor Throckmorton

lton

Scurry

Knox Haskell

Hami

Howard

Stonewall

Kent

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Jeff Davis

Borden

Foard Wilbarger Wichita

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Reeves

Upton

Garza

Hardeman

King

Grim

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Crane

Dickens

Cottle

all

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Ward

Martin

Midland

Crosby

Childress

Hall Motley

nd

During the last legislative session, as the legislature considered renewal of alternative fuel vehicle programs, legislators and public activists voiced concerns with a stockpile of NGV funds that remained unexpended from previous years. This became an opportunity for propane, and we are added to the definition of natural gas vehicle and are now included in the program designed to replace older diesel vehicles with cleaner-burning Texas fuels in non-attainment and near non-attainment areas (the clean transportation zone). There are $7.7 million in unused funds waiting for grant proposals. School districts operating replacing diesel school buses with propane, propane retailers and other propane delivery vehicles garnered nearly $2M and counting in funding over the last year.

Some of examples of recently awarded TERP contracts under the

Culberson

Ector Winkler

Dawson

Briscoe Floyd

Ke

2018-2019 Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Grant Program (Includes Propane)

Loving

Lynn

Terry

Andrews

Hudspeth

Available Funding Pools 2018-2019 Light-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program (LDVIP)

The LDVIP that expired in 2015 was revived and beefed up.

Incentives were bumped up for propane and CNG to $5,000 per vehicle, up from $2,500. The program allows for OEM propane vehicles, as well as vehicles converted within the first 500 miles under 10,000 GVWR. Who can apply for the LDVIP money?

That’s the best part of this particular program; it is for ANYONE, ANYWHERE in Texas. Currently, the propane industry has not really taken advantage of this program, and…it’s the easiest one to get!

CLOSING SOON - May 31, 2019. TCEQ will sweep unused funds for other programs.

Lubbock

Gaines

El Paso

Hale

Hockley

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Yoakum

Collingsworth

Armstrong

Bu

Cochran

Wheeler

Donley

Swisher

Lamb

Hemphill

Gray

Carson

Randall

Castro

Parmer

Roberts Hutchinson

Potter

Deaf Smith

Lipscomb

Hansford

Moore

Oldham

Bailey

Ochiltree

Sherman

Dallam Hartley

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1. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A VEHICLE YET. Apply first. Get approved, and then buy.

2. Some grant amounts are determined by how old the vehicle you are replacing and its GVWR. The older, and higher the GVWR, the more you get.

3. Ensure vehicle registration has not lapsed more than 30 days in two years.

4. Ensure vehicle registration reflects a qualifying county.

5. Have proof of ownership of vehicle you are replacing/destroying.

6. Scrap vehicle within 90 days of approval for projects that require destruction.

Hay s

How Can I Ensure I’m Prepared to Apply for a Grant?

NGV program that propane qualifies for are $67,083.00 for two propane bobtails, $42,701.00 for one propane bobtail and $9,563.00 for another bobtail. The grant award depends on the vehicle you are replacing the older the vehicle, the higher GVWR, the bigger payout.

CLOSING SOON - May 31, 2019. TCEQ will sweep un-

Nueces Kleberg

Jim Hogg

Brooks Kenedy

Starr

Willacy Hidalgo

June 2017

Cameron

TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

This map was generated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the-ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries. For more information concerning this map, contact the Air Quality Division at 512-239-1709.

NEW this Year: Rebate Grants for Small Businesses

On March 14, the TCEQ, under its TERP, opened a grant round exclusive to Texas small businesses that want to replace older diesel vehicles with a cleaner, newer vehicle, whether it be propane or even diesel vehicle, over 8,500 GVWR. $5 million was available on a first come, first served basis for applicants who qualify as a TERP small business. While the small business grant was scheduled to close on May 14, 2019, the TCEQ has already received more applications than it has funding for.

2018-2019 Seaport & Rail Yard Areas Emissions Reduction Program

This program is designed to replace older, drayage trucks as well

Featured as cargo handling equipment in non-attainment areas of DFW, El Paso, and Houston. Historically, this has been used for diesel replacements, however this may be of interest to area ports and rail yards with now-available propane-powered platform through TICO. CLOSING SOON - May 31, 2019.

2018-2019 Diesel Emissions Reduction Incentive Program (DERI)

The remainder and bulk of the TERP funds go to the DERI Program. The program helps take older diesel on-road, off-road and stationary equipment out of service in non-attainment and near non-attainment areas and replaces them with cleaner options including construction, forklifts, vehicles, locomotives and marine equipment. DERI funds are distributed through TERP’s Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG), Rebates Grants Programs, and third-party grant programs.

ERIG CLOSED until 2020, if appropriated by the legislature.

2018-2019 Clean School Bus Program

TERP has expanded this program, which had been restricted to tailpipe retrofits and particulate filters, to not allowing for cleaner bus replacements like propane school buses. School districts STATEWIDE could replace pre-2007 models with current model years. Only one school district was able to take advantage of this program so far in the last year, as it was oversubscribed.

CLOSED until 2020, if appropriated by the legislature.

However, there are several other opportunities for school districts like Clean Fleet and VW funding, which will be opening lat-

er this year. ProCOT’s grants team is already working with school districts so they are ready to submit as soon as VW has opened.

2018-2019 Clean Fleet Program

This program targets large fleets who have at least 75 vehicles that replacing 10 at a time. This is where propane has garnered the most funds over the years. $24M has been awarded to those switching propane under this program between 2010-2018, mostly school districts, funding 314 buses and handful of propane box trucks.

Closed on February 18, 2019. Clean Fleet closed until 2020, if appropriated by the legislature.

2018 Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP)

The AFFP is designed to provide funding for public refueling stations in non-attainment areas. The program was funded for 2018, but not 2019. Two propane stations received funding, Eanes ISD and City of Houston.

CLOSED until 2020, if appropriated by the legislature.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

The two programs that are still open, the Light Duty Vehicle Incentive Program and the NGV grant program that include propane both expire on May 31, 2019.

Many of these have funding that has not been touched yet, AND are NON-COMPETITIVE. Please reach out to the staff at the Propane Council of Texas at info@propanecounciloftexas.org or at (800)325-7427 to see if you are eligible for one or more programs.

April 2019 •

Texas Propane

17

Safety Talk

Mobile Crane Safety: Crane Transport Safety Meeting

Before leaving the yard or job site, a crane operator must prepare the crane for proper transport. Travel only with the boom retracted and in a stowed position as specified by the manufacturer.

THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CAB OF YOUR VEHICLE: 3 Make sure the crane is stowed properly.

3 Make sure the outriggers are stowed securely and are not

extended vertically or horizontally.

3 Hook and sheave assemblies should be fastened securely to prevent swinging. The vehicle should never be driven with a load on the hook.

3 All cargo, tools, and controls should be secured and stored properly for transportation.

3 If transporting a tank, make sure it is secured properly. Tanks should be placed on cradles or strapped to the side rails of the vehicle. Two tie-down straps should be used to limit movement.

3 Properly placard the vehicle if required.

AFTER YOU ENTER THE CAB OF YOUR VEHICLE: 3 Make sure all steps and hand rails are clean and not slippery.

3 Use three points of contact when entering or exiting the ve-

hicle, moving only one foot or hand off the vehicle at a time.

3 Make sure the power take-off (PTO) is disengaged.

3 Release the parking brake.

3 Make sure you know the height and weight of the vehicle and

18

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

load you are carrying to avoid any route restrictions you may encounter.

3 Drive carefully to your destination. Remember that your vehicle has a higher center of gravity than a passenger car or pickup truck.

3 Vehicles that have a high center of gravity are more prone to roll over if the driver has to make an evasive maneuver or leaves the road and goes onto a soft shoulder or ditch.

Discussion Topics 1. Is it safe to travel with your crane unstowed if you are going a short distance?

2. What can happen if you do not properly stow your crane and you get on the road?

3. What should you do if your vehicle leaves the road and goes onto a soft shoulder or ditch?

LEARNING ACTIVITY Demonstrate how to prepare for proper transport with a mobile crane that is commonly used by your company. Have employees actively participate in each step.

Source: Mobile Crane Safety in the Propane Industry (PERC) For more information regarding safe mobile crane transport, visit www. propane.com.

TPGA News Corpus Christi Convention Preview:

Convention Sidetrip: South Texas Music Walk of Fame If you find yourself exploring the streets of Corpus Christi during convention, make sure to meander over to Water Street. You’ll find a recent addition to the Corpus Christi cultural offerings: the South Texas Music Walk of Fame. It’s about five or six blocks south of the Omni one block from the bay.

It stretches from Agua Java, a coffee shop, and circles the fountain at the Executive Surf Club, which is a restaurant, music venue and home of Surf Club Records.

The South Texas Music Walk of Fame was established in 2004 to honor South Texas musical artists who represent a wide diversity in musical traditions from Tejano to rock-and-roll to jazz. Each year

on the first Friday of June, six new stars are added to the walk during the Water Street Market Music and Art Fest.

Artists who are honored with stars at the South Texas Music Walk of Fame are nominated year-round at Surf Club Records. All the nominees must be South Texas natives who were born between San Antonio and the southern tip of the Lone Star State or musicians who live in that area.

Musicians recognized by the South Texas Music Walk of Fame have achieved national and international fame. Among the honorees are Guy Clark, Selena, Roger Creager, the Galvan Brothers, Chris Layton, Freddie Martínez, Sr., Freddy

Fender, Sunny and the Sunliners, Flaco Jiménez, Doug Sahm, George Strait, Esteban “Steve” Jordan, Tony Joe White, and Kris Kristofferson.

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Member Perks

TPGA Scholarship Competition Round Opened Since 1997, the TPGA Scholarship Foundation has dedicated itself to assisting children and grandchildren of the Texas Propane Gas Association member companies reach their goals of higher education. The Foundation has distributed $100,000 worth of scholarships over the last 20 years. The Scholarship Foundation provides funding for exceptional students who will be pursuing a degree from a twoyear college, four-year university, or who will be enrolled in technical school.

The college scholarship application for the 2019/2020 academic year opened March 15, 2019. The application submission deadline is Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

All scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria: 1. Be a Texas resident 2. High school senior or an undergraduate student.

3. Plans to be a full-time student for the upcoming school year (2019-2020) in

an undergraduate degree program by an accredited college or university or enrolled in a vocational or technical school.

4. A child or grandchild of an employee of current member of the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) with dues paid for the 2019 TPGA membership year. The parent’s, legal guardian’s or grandparent’s work must be directly related to the propane industry.

5. GPA (need to be in upper half of class for consideration) How to Apply for Scholarship?

If you have fully completed a National Propane Gas Foundation (NPGF)

Scholarship Application for 2019-2020 school year and you meet The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) eligibility requirements, you will automatically be entered High School into the TPGA Seniors & scholarship. You Undergraduates do not have to complete another application.

Getting started. You will need your parent(s)’ or legal guardian(s)’ salaries and household income as well as a parent or legal guardian to digitally sign the application. Ensure this is available before you begin the application process.

If you are a high school senior or gap year student, please have copies of your SAT or ACT scores available for submission.

All eligible applications must be received through our online digital application.

Eligible applicants, please visit www.txpropane.com/scholarship to apply.

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

April 2019 •

Texas Propane

21

PERC News

Propane Council Meets to Complete Some Winter Business Docket: 21789

This February, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) met via conference call to conduct some business. The Council approved the funding requests:

Docket: 21866

Principal Contractor: Swanson Russell Title: Digital Strategy and Enhancement – Phase 2 Amount Requested: $330,759 Action: Approved Docket 21866: Over the past year, PERC has been transforming all the digital platforms used to reach consumers – both homeowners and business users – and to better reach and support propane marketers and state associations by using more sophisticated digital marketing techniques for improved segmentation and consumer engagement and nurturing.

The most visible piece of this transformation is the new propane.com. The new propane.com consolidates 10 web properties managed by PERC and gives the site a new design encouraging more exploration of all the things propane can do.

Docket: 21869

Principal Contractor: PERC Title: Marketer Can-Do Marketing Program

22

Amount Requested: $248,000 Action: Approved Project description: Over the past 18 months, PERC has aggressively been updating systems and processes to capitalize on the benefits of a more digital presence. This transition to digitally dominant outreach, tools, and processes will allow initiatives to reach both the propane industry and end users to be scalable, measurable, and shareable, all critical to the success of PERC and potential growth of the industry. Additionally, PERC held the Can-Do Conference in July of 2018. This conference, as was expected, demonstrated the demand for marketing training, specifically digital marketing, within the propane industry.

The 2019-2020 PERC Marketer CanDo Marketing Program aims to provide ongoing training for the propane industry to best position industry employees, individual companies, and state entities to create and manage a digital presence, while using PERC developed tools and resources. Second to this, this program will establish an industry outreach and communications plan for how PERC will talk to the propane industry in a consistent and meaningful way, both online and when supporting in-person training in conjunction with state entities.

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Principal Contractor: Roush CleanTech Title: Propane-Powered Refrigeration for Medium-Duty Trucks Amount Requested: $125,000 Action: Approved Project Description: As momentum continues to grow in the autogas markets, PERC and companies like Roush CleanTech are seeing success with medium duty fleets - such as Nestle Waters – switching them from diesel to propane. This transition is driving recognition amongst other medium-duty fleets that propane is a viable option, but the concern holding them back is the diesel-powered refrigeration unit. Fleet managers and owner/operators do not want to mix fuels on the truck (propane to power the base truck and diesel to power the refrigeration unit). A single fuel solution is needed if propane autogas is to continue momentum in the medium-duty and refrigerated goods delivery segments.

The ability to provide a single fuel solution for both truck and refrigeration needs will drive incremental demand and growth of propane gallons consumed in the medium-duty autogas marketspace.

Having a solution that is propane-powered that will help unlock the refrigeration markets currently supported by class 5-7 vehicles and will drive significant growth in trucks sold and gallons consumed. Additionally, it will provide another strategic sales and market-specific talking point for the industry related to how flexible and scalable propane is to help solve this problem.

In addition to the following project approvals, The Council approved the appointment of Chris Wagner of AmeriGas (King of Prussia, Pa.) to be chairman of the Safety & Technical Training Working Group. Jeff Shaffer of Shaffer’s Bottled Gas (Hooversville, Pa.) will continue serving as vice chairman of the working group.

The next PERC Council Meeting will be held on April 12, 2019 in Atlanta, GA.

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Texas Propane

23

Inside the Industry

People in Propane

Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) Member Perks

Stuart Flatow, Vice President of Safety & Training for the Propane Education & Research Council, has left the organization after 18 years.

Stuart helped with the development of CETP eLearning, consumer safety resources, autogas technician training, propane emergencies training and the national propane safety & trainers conference.

I am Milton Machac owner of Waller County Butane in Waller, Texas. I have an announcement for people in the propane industry. Way back when Joe Green of Greens Blue Flame became President of the Texas Propane Gas Association he contacted me to sign up and get in. I was not interested at that time because of the past history heresay. Joe Green calmed me again to say things are going good. So Waller County Butane signed up and paid dues. Thank you Joe! With all of the red tape and LP issues it has been a great asset to Waller County Butane. Now with Executive Director Bill Van Hoy, he will help LP Gas Dealers with any issues. I am so glad to be a lifetime member!

Thank you, Milton Machac, Waller County Butane Co. Jack Horace Ayres of Holliday, Texas passed away on March 16, 2019 at the age of 85. Jack was an entrepreneur at heart and had many successful business ventures throughout his life including the propane business. Jack’s passions included the Holliday First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon for many years and also teaching Sunday school.

He served on the Holliday School Board for 12 years, and was the voice of Friday night football for over 20 years. He trained cutting horses and raised cattle on his ranch. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time.

The late David Lugar, Amerigas of Houston will be inducted into the LP Gas Hall of Fame. The LP Gas Hall of Fame induction dinner and awards ceremony will take place April 12 at The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Atlanta, GA. For more information and to get tickets to the Hall of Fame ceremony go to http://lpgashalloffame.com.

Sumter Coatings makes you look good while protecting your most valued assests.

• Special Member Only Pricing at Propane Service Corporation (Up to 30%) • Discounted Emergency Response Number • Discounted Workers Compensation • Semi-Annual Enforcement Alerts • Compliance Date Reminders • Compliance Guidance & Enforcement Assistance • State and Federal Regulatory Alerts & Updates • Inside Scoop on the Texas Legislative Session • Business & Tax Updates • Access to MEMBER ONLY portion of the website • Listed on our MEMBER ONLY Find a Propane Retailer Tool • Get Involved: Serve on Our Committees • Your Dues are Tax-Deductible Call (800)325-7427 to join today.

Register for PERC’s First Can-Do Webinar for Stronger Sales, Smarter Marketing

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

It’s Not About You, It’s About Bacon.

That’s the title of the book by Brian Basilico who will be presenting the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)’s first can-do marketing webinar on April 8 at 2 p.m. CST. Learn actionable techniques you can apply to your business right now that will lead to stronger sales, improved digital outreach, and smarter marketing.

Register at https://propane.com/cando-marketing-training-series/webinars.

Inside the Industry Harbor Freight’s Greenwood Propane Torch Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice on 150,000 Harbor Freight Tools’ Greenwood propane torches: “The trigger on the torches that engages the flame can fail to disengage when the trigger is no longer pressed, posing a burn hazard.”

The recalled torches without an igniter have SKU No. 61589 on the manual, the packaging and on a sticker on the pipe that leads to the nozzle. The ones with a push button igniter have SKU No. 61595 in the same places.

Harbor Freight wants customers to stop using these torches and return them to any Harbor Freight Tools location for a replacement torch. Anyone with questions can contact Harbor Freight Tools by phone at 800-444-3353, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern time, via email at recall@harborfreight.com.

Annual Retail Sales of Propane Surveys Due

Beginning April 1, propane marketers across the country, including Texas, will be able to submit their Sale of Propane reports for the 2018 calendar year. The annual retail sales of propane survey is conducted by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) in partnership with now ICF. This survey was previously done by the American Petroleum Institute (API) on behalf of PERC, and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), and the GPA Midstream Association, and was published as a report titled, “Sales of Natural Gas Liquids and Liquefied Refinery Gases.”

This survey is being conducted as part of PERC’s annual assessment of odorized propane sales that is mandated by the 1996 Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), a Congressional act. This yearly assessment influences how the organization allocates its rebates of assessments to individual states and how PERC invests its resources in various program incentives. PERA requires PERC to allocate at least 20 percent of the funds that the organization collects each year as a rebate to the state propane associations in an amount proportional to the amount of odorized propane gas sold in each state.

The accurate and timely completion of the Annual Retail Propane Sales Survey is a critical component of PERC’s annual budgeting process. Due to the importance

of this survey, it is imperative that each survey respondent completes this form accurately and in a timely manner to ensure that each state receives the proper level of rebate dollars.

The data on your report is CONFIDENTIAL and reported in aggregate.

Please submit your 2018 Sales of Propane Report at www.propane.com/ salesreport, so Texas gets our fair share of PERC dollars.

Questions, please contact 833-2860860 (toll-free) or email Survey@propane.com

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Texas Propane

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Autogas News Over the past 10 years, Leander ISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas, educating more than 40,000 students at its 42 campuses has integrated cleaner-burning propane school buses into its fleet. Recently, Leander ISD received a $740,000 grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under the Texas Emissions Reduction Program for 24 more buses. In 2018, the District received $15,000 from

the Propane Council of Texas to convert two of their white fleet shuttle buses.

“The savings achieved with our propane buses goes back into our school district general funds,” said Hatton. “I am pleased that our choice of an alternative fuel can help put money back into the classroom.”

The impact of its school bus fleet on the environment is a big concern for Leander ISD. Many of its community members live on an environmentally sensitive aquifer. They appreciate that the school district is adopting a cleaner transportation option in propane.

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By the Numbers • 30 percent of entire fleet is propane autogas fueled • 127 propane buses • Over 115,000 pounds of NOx reduced • Nearly 3,000 pounds of particulate matter eliminated • Saving 45 percent per propane gallon versus diesel

Other propane owners have come to our agency to get help with connecting their insurance pieces: 1) Some have grown frustrated with the lack of timely response and personal service from their current agent.

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

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

“I cannot say enough about Rusty and his team at Marshall Young Insurance. Not only are their prices highly competitive and comprehensive, but their customer service is outstanding as well. Marshall Young’s team goes above and beyond to exceed our insurance needs.”

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26

The school district’s 24 newest Blue Bird Vision Propane buses are equipped with ROUSH CleanTech’s ultra low NOx engines. These propane engines are 90 percent cleaner than the Environmental Protection Agency emission standard, and are EPA and California Air Resources Board certified.

When compared with the diesel buses they replaced, the district’s 127 propane buses reduce harmful NOx emissions by more than 130,000 pounds and particulate matter by almost 3,000 pounds annually. In addition, Hatton said the district’s technicians benefit from the lack of exhaust fumes in the maintenance bays. She also noted that the district’s drivers appreciate the propane buses’ “get up and go” performance.

Photo compliments of Roush Cleantech

Leander Independent School District: A Decade of Propane Bus Adoption

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

The school district’s propane buses reduce noise pollution, too. Compared to diesel, propane autogas engines operate about 50 percent quieter, which increases safety and decreases driver fatigue. The driver’s ability to hear students and emergency vehicles while a bus is in motion is a huge safety advantage for everyone on board.

“Our bus drivers prefer to drive our propane buses due to the lower noise level,” says Hatton, adding that the drivers also appreciate how easily the propane buses go up and down the hills in our area. “The propane buses have a lot of get up and go.”

Thirty percent of Leander ISD’s current fleet operates on propane autogas.

The district plans to double its number of propane buses over the next five years.

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1999 Ford F-450 Service Truck 7.3 liter diesel, 6 speed, 4WD JOMAC 3016 Knuckle-boom crane $54,500.00 O.B.O.

1999 Chevrolet C7500, Propane 454 motor, 2600 Gallon barrel LCR Register, 150ft hose Current VK & Hydro, Clean Texas bobtail. $49,500.00 O.B.O. Call or email Josh, 281-259-2162 josh@texasstarpropane.com

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Bobtails For Sale • Texas trucks, no rust, good to excellent condition • 1998 Peterbilt, 6 speed, 2500 gal, tank, LC Register, Steel deck, Aluminum wheels, 45,386 miles on new motor in 2009 • 2005 Freightliner, Automatic, 3000 gal. tank, LC Meter, Aluminum deck, 222,765 miles on 230hp CAT • 2005 Freightliner, Automatic, 3000 gal. tank, LC Meter, Aluminum deck, 180,968 miles on 230hp CAT • 2008 Peterbilt, 6 speed, 1800 gal. tank, Neptune meter, Veeder Root Register, Low profile truck w/ bolt on scale for bottles, 84,642.6 miles Call or email for Pictures and Pricing @ 512-276-7800 or 1-800-696-3493 or sturner@directpropaneservices.com

PetroStar Equipment Resources Purchase & Sale Pre-Owned Propane Tanks 5,000 gallons to 120,000 gallons FOR SALE (2) 30,000 gallon, 250 psi, Stubby (4) 90,000 gallon, 250 psi, 2011 - unused Contact: Jim Oliver (936) 755-6108 petrostar@pdq.net

Cheryl@longhornpropane.com or Latisha@longhornpropane.com, 830-964-2525

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Calendar APRIL

12 PERC Meeting Atlanta, GA 13-15 2019 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo Atlanta, GA 14-17 GPA Midstream Convention San Antonio, TX 19 TPGA office closed for Good Friday 23-26 ACT Expo Long Beach, CA 25-26 NPGA Benchmarking Council (Groups A-H) San Diego, CA

MAY

2 NPGA Benchmarking Council (Groups I-M) San Diego, CA 9 PERC Advisory Committee Meetings San Antonio, TX 14-15 TPGA Board & Related Committee Meetings Austin, TX 15 TPGA Scholarship Deadline 27 TPGA office closed for Memorial Day

JUNE

17-20 NFPA Conference & Expo Henry B. Gonzalez Conv Ctr San Antonio, TX

JULY

1 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo+Conf Early Bird Discount Deadline 4 TPGA office closed for Independence Day 17-18 PERC Council Meeting Olympic Valley, CA 18 Crossroads TPGA Propane Expo+Conf Hotel Discount Deadline

Index to Advertisers

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN TEXAS PROPANE Magazine?

Bergquist 24 BLT Tanks 19 Cunningham Gas Products 23 Doggett Freightliner 17 Flynt Paint Products 20 Gas Equipment Company 31 Insurors of Texas 25 Lone Star Energy Group 21 Longhorn Propane 28 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 12

Get your message to 1,000 readers

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

Marshall Young Insurance 26 Meeder Equipment Co. 27 Pinnacle Propane Inside Front Cover Propane Service Corporation 25 Rural Computer Consultants 20 TPGA Scholarship Foundation Outside Back Cover Warm Thoughts Communications 13 WESROC Monitoring Solutions 5 Westmor Industries 31 White River Distributors 23

2019 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference April 2019 •

Texas Propane

29

Propane With Purpose

Propane Fired Heavy Duty Industrial Oven for Oil & Gas Industry

The Wisconsin Oven Corporation has delivered an LP gas fired heavy duty car bottom oven with fume incinerator to a leader in the oil and gas industry. This car bottom oven will be used for prebaking drill pipe joints.

• Honeywell flame relay with integral purge timer • Load capacity of 172,000 pounds • Two (2) CFM recirculation blowers

The thermal clean oven has a maximum operating temperature of 800° F and work chamber dimensions of 8’6” wide x 50’0” long x 8’6” high. Guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±30° F at 750° F was verified through a twenty (20) point profile test conducted in an empty oven chamber under static operating conditions.

Wisconsin Oven Corporation has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing industrial ovens and other heating equipment since 1973. Their custom and standard industrial ovens are used for a multitude of applications including heat treating, finishing, drying, and curing. Many of the industries they serve require specific temperature uniformity and equipment performance documentation. Their experienced design team can meet even the most stringent standards for their customers’ equipment.

The industrial oven has sufficient capability to heat 70,000 pounds of steel from a cold start to 750° F within 75 minutes. The load car is designed for a maximum loading of 172,000 pounds. The fume incinerator is designed to incinerate the exhaust fumes from the oven and has sufficient capacity to handle 5,000 CFM of exhaust.

Unique features of this car bottom oven include: • Guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±30° F at 750° F • Exhaust fume incinerator • Digital recorder with Ethernet communication capabilities • 20,000 CFM quick-cool fan

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Wisconsin Oven is owned by Thermal Product Solutions (“TPS”), a leading American manufacturer of industrial ovens, furnaces, pharmaceutical sterilizers, laboratory ovens, environmental temperature chambers, and stability test chambers. TPS provides thermal processing and test solutions for a range of industries. TPS brands include Baker Furnace, Blue M, Gruenberg, Tenney, Lindberg, Lunaire, MPH, and Wisconsin Oven. For more information on equipment solutions from TPS visit the website at http://www.thermalproductsolutions.com.

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Need money �o� �o��e�e �o� yo�� ��d�� Maybe the association can help...

TPGA Member companies' children & grandchildren are invited to enter our annual scholarship competition to help with the high cost of getting a higher education. The scholarship provides funding for exceptional students who will be pursuing a degree from a two-year college, fouryear university, or who will be enrolled in technical school.

Learn more at www.txpropane.com/scholarships Deadline is May 15, 2019