November 2017 Texas Propane magazine

TexasPropane Volume 73 No. 11

November 2017

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

Hurricane Harvey Leaves Path of Destruction in Texas How Texas marketers and TPGA moved mountains to manage one of the state’s worst recorded natural disasters

You’re in Good Hands Staying Local is Your Priority and Ours 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.

As a Texas-based company, we focus on providing local service to our customers in the communities we do business and empowering our employees via competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Matt Terry Acquisitions and Strategic Development 210-560-5418

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.

For more information and a confidential assessment of your business, please call us today.

www.pinnpropane.com

Pinnacle Propane is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

TexasPropane November 2017

8408 North IH 35 Austin, TX 78753 (512) 836-8620 or (800) 325-7427 (512) 834-0758 fax E-mail: info@txpropane.com www.txpropane.com

T H E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E T E X A S P R O PA N E G A S A S S O C I AT I O N

TPGA staff Bill Van Hoy Executive Director bvanhoy@txpropane.com Jackie Mason Education & Marketing Regulatory & Legislative Affairs jmason@txpropane.com Debbie Simpson Executive Assistant Membership Meeting Planner Publication Coordinator dsimpson@txpropane.com Propane Service Corporation

Features Hurricane Harvey Leaves Path of Destruction in Texas. . . . . . . . 6

How Texas marketers and TPGA moved mountains to manage one of the state’s worst recorded natural disasters

Debbie Simpson (800) 392-0023 dsimpson@txpropane.com

TPGA Members Reap the Benefits of PERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Publisher

Unloading a Bobtail Using a Bobtail Pump Safety Meeting . . . 16

Kim Scheberle Account Manager/Managing Editor Sail House Publishing (512) 346-0892 kscheberle@austin.rr.com Joanne Pantaze Advertising Sales 512-273-2639 jpantaze@pvco.net Kiki Pantaze Art Director (512) 924-7566 kpantaze@pvco.net

Duty to Warn Effectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Departments Highlights from Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TPGA Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Inside the Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 People in Propane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Where in the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Legal Beat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Say Cheese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Classified Advertising.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Propane with Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Highlights from Headquarters

Marketers Worked Together to Handle Hurricane Harvey

2017 CONVENTION Sponsors Golf Tournament Targa Resources Lanyards Keyera Energy Convention Tote Bag Enterprise Products

Bill Van Hoy TPGA Executive Director TPGA is an association made up of companies just like you striving to run successful businesses in an ever-changing environment. It is also a community.

When Hurricane Harvey unleashed its devastation on Texas, the TPGA community went to work, helping those most affected by the storm in many different ways. In this issue we shine the spotlight

on some of those folks.

The TPGA board of directors will be meeting in San Antonio November 7-8.

I hope that all our members will join us to discuss the 2018 budgets, the TPGA Disaster Relief Fund, the lawsuit against cities and other topics. A detailed schedule of events for the meeting is included on page 5 of this magazine.

Don’t forget to sign up for two very important ProCOT projects – Duty to Warn and the consumer newsletter Propane Living. Both consumer outreach projects deliver important information to your clients.

Deadlines are quickly approaching.

Welcome Reception Westmor Industries Midstream Transportation President’s Cocktails Quality Steel Bishop Energy Expo Refreshments BASYS

AFFINITY PARTNERS BASYS • Lone Star Energy Group

2017-2018 TPGA Board of Directors President: John Walter, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109 President Elect: Jack Walzel, Tri-Co Propane, 254-642-3885 Secretary: Harris Baker, Pinnacle Propane, 512-306-0073 Treasurer/Finance Chair: Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane, 936-598-7444 District 1 Director: Jim Vines, Cooper Propane, 903-785-5242 District 1 Alternate: April Welch, WelchGas, 903-577-1446 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: Mark Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 District 4 Alternate: Allen Wells, Baygas, 281-332-2660 District 5 Director: Open 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: Jack Walzel, Tri-Co Propane, 254-642-3885 District 8 Alternate: Rodney Sladek, Fayetteville Propane, 979-836-7044 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: Sam Fox, McCraw Oil, 469-261-1148 District 11 Director: Steve Adams, Hardwick LPG, 254-647-3402 District 11 Alternate: Lane Worthington, Sunoco, 325-835-3031 District 12 Director: John Gordon, Bob’s Fuels, 325-647-3619 District 12 Alternate: Laci Jo Stone, Schneider Distributing, 800-901-9109

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

District 13 Director: Open District 13 Alternate: Open District 14 Director: Open 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: 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 Past President: Doug Maclay, United Propane, 972-225-2347 Vice President: Allen Wells, Baygas, Bay Gas, 281-332-2630 Vice President: Matt Terry, JP Energy Partners, 210-560-5418 Vice President: John Gordon, Bob’s Fuels, 325-647-3619 Sr. Vice President: Mark Peterson, Buster Brown Propane, 281-689-3946 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: Doug Maclay, United Propane, 972-225-2347 NPGA Director: Jim Bishop, Bishop Energy, 940-665-3457

TPGA 4th Quarter Board & Related Committee Meetings

Schedule November 7 6:30a - 8:00a 8:00a - 1:00p 1:00p - 2:45p 3:00p – 4:30p 4:45p - 5:15p 5:30p - 6:00p 6:00p - 7:00p 7:30p

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk 150 E Houston St San Antonio, TX

Complimentary breakfast Board Training Lunch on your own Convention Planning Nominating Committee TPGA Disaster Relief Board Hosted Beer/Wine Reception & Charity Auction (at the Valencia) Dinner – Casa Rio, 430 East Commerce, San Antonio

November 8 6:30a - 8:00a Complimentary breakfast 7:30a – 8:15a Ad hoc Audit Committee 8:30a - 10:00a Executive Committee 10:15a - 11:45a Finance Committee 11:45a – 1:00p Lunch on your own 1:15p - 3:15p Board of Directors Board Meeting Agenda

Review Q3 Financials; Review & approve 2018 budgets; lawsuit update; disaster fundraising update; 2018 expo/conference update

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Texas Propane

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Featured

Hur r icane Har vey Leaves Path Hurricane Harvey is no longer dominating the fast-moving national news cycle, but in large swaths of Texas the story is still unfolding. Harvey, which unleashed roughly 27 trillion gallons of rain over Texas and Louisiana in just six days at the end of August, devastated Texans with its flooding, high winds, and tornadoes.

The statistics are staggering: $75 billion in estimated losses; 51 inches of rain; 72,000 people rescued; 450,000 people who asked for FEMA assistance; and 33 Texas counties that came under federal disaster declaration after the storm. Harvey was slow-moving and enormous, and the damage it did in Texas spread from the Coastal Bend to the greater Houston area, the so-called Golden Triangle around Beaumont and Port Arthur, and parts of Central Texas. Â

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

of Destr uction in

Texas

How Texas marketers and TPGA moved mountains to manage one of the state’s worst recorded natural disasters

By Kate Harrington November 2017 •

Texas Propane

7

Like most Texans in the areas Harvey hit, the propane gas industry also felt the impact of the storm. But while Texas Propane Gas Association members were among those who suffered losses, they were also a significant part of the recovery. From individuals who drove across the state to help other TPGA members to donations of propane that kept stoves fueled so that volunteers could serve warm meals to victims, propane is a big part of the Harvey story.

“The Calls Came In, One After Another”

For many propane marketers the biggest impact of the storm was not so much to their own businesses but to their customer base.

Debra and Allen Wells run BayGas in League City. As marketers, they deliver to residential and commercial customers in Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris counties. While BayGas itself didn’t sustain damage, flooded roads kept their delivery trucks idle, and damage to the area meant the business had to close for three days.

When they did reopen, they were quickly swamped with phone calls from customers asking for help refilling tanks or with tanks that had floated away.

“We fielded calls all day Tuesday,” Allen Wells recalled. “On Wednesday I went out into the field and on Thursday I had to throw my hands up and call for help. I called TPGA and [Executive Director] Bill Van Hoy sent some service trucks on Saturday.

We had four service trucks and eight technicians out and about.

Each of us had 10 calls apiece, and we got them all taken care of.

Then another 20 calls came in after that, that we’ve handled one step at a time.”

In New Caney, many of Buster Brown Propane’s customer tanks overturned and some even floated away. Buster Brown ran three service crews seven days a week to reset tanks, blow out lines, and check for leaks.

In addition to the wrath that Harvey inflicted on customer tanks, the flooding also caused some logistical challenges. Buster Brown had 30,000 gallons they could not get to, but luckily they had other supply points. Something marketers might not think

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Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

about during a natural disaster is that sometimes you lose power, and you need power to operate your bulk storages.

Buster Brown was fortunate that they had a generator at the Arctic Propane location in Cleveland, as well as they have the capabilities to self-load.

Even though you have different supply points what might be a normal 5 minute drive during flooding taking alternative routes might take 2 hours.

Buster Brown was not the only marketer who faced logistical challenges. Pinnacle Propane’s offices along the Houston Ship Channel were closed for nearly a full week because employees could not reach their facilities due to flooding in Houston.

Annette Rath, owner of Cuero Propane, also fielded calls from customers whose tanks came loose thanks to high winds and flooding.

“People had a lot of tree damage and water damage, and with the trees, propane tanks were knocked off their blocks,” Rath said.

“We’ve been able to do service work for customers, and get them back up and running. We did not see any of what Rockport saw, where people had to leave.”

Rath’s propane business did, unfortunately, also suffer damage, with water coming into what she described as an older building.

Both Rath and the Wells had advice to share with customers based on their experience: make sure your propane tank is turned off if you’re leaving your property, and find a way to tie down tanks onto their concrete blocks if another high wind or high rain event hits.

“I survived the flood of 1998, and we were almost to those levels [with Harvey],” Rath added. “I think it’s important to be prepared. And always take the advice you get from officials and be ready, you never know what’s going to happen. Sometimes we think it won’t be so bad, and then you get hit.”

There are longer-term questions about the impact of the storm on the propane gas industry too, but answers may not be immediate.

Bill Van Hoy, TPGA’s executive director, said that it’s still too soon to know how many customers propane marketers in the affected areas lost either because of rebuilding or relocation, and how that will affect businesses over the next several months.

“The preponderance of sales in propane is from home heating,” he said. “There’s never a good time, but this is a slow time, so that’s favorable - fewer people are immediately affected. Now I think it’s just a matter of some of these retail marketers seeing whether or not some of these customers are going to call their propane company or not for a few months. If they have had damage, they might call and say ‘I don’t need propane this winter, I’m rebuilding.’ That’s when the industry will figure out how much business was lost.”

The hit on Texas’s propane industry was felt far outside the Lone Star State, too. With shipments of propane to international markets temporarily halted, propane prices in Asia and the Middle East rose. Experts predicted that the effects of the storm would be felt in worldwide markets for weeks after the storm had come and gone.

TPGA’s Helping Hand

For marketers like the Wells of BayGas, the sheer volume of work once the hurricane passed was overwhelming, and that’s when TPGA stepped in to share the workload.

“Operations ceased until the hurricane passed,” said Van Hoy. “Now it’s a time for cleaning up and getting people’s service back in order. That’s been going on since the Sunday or Monday after raised about $10,000. Van Hoy said the association is starting the the hurricane hit.” process of determining how that funding will be allotted, with a TPGA let its members know that if anyone needed help reachmeeting scheduled in November to address that. ing customers they should put in a request - and many did.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the “A lot of these customers, their houses were not 100% destroyed, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) also lent a helping so they’re looking to get service back in,” Van Hoy said.

TPGA sent people and trucks to help marketers like BayGas reach their customers. It also made it easier for people to come into Texas from other states and get right to work.

October 13, 2017 Normally regulations require anyone in the propane Texas Propane Gas Association industry that comes in from 8408 North IH 35 Austin, TX 78753 another state to get Texasspecific training before operOpen letter to TPGA and it’s members: ating equipment, but TPGA It is in times of difficulty that people and companies are given the opportunity to prove their character. put in a request to the GovIn the wake of the Hurricane Harvey, the employees of Aransas Propane Company were doing ernor’s office to have the Raileverything in our power to help our community get back on it's feet. Headquartered in Rockport, road Commission waive the servicing Aransas and the surrounding counties, the devastating winds and storm surge severely impacted our customers as well as our own facilities. In the weeks following Harvey’s landfall on rules on training and certifiAugust 25 , Aransas Propane received around 175 service calls. The sheer amount of work facing us overwhelmed our small company. cation. Additionally, TPGA kept its members up-to-date During the first week of our recovery effort, one of our fellow Texas propane dealers reached out to provide support. Bubba Pfarrdrescher of Bubba’s Got Gas located in San Marcos called to find out on other waivers like hours of how he could help. The following Monday morning two of Bubba’s service professionals arrived at our office with a truck, skid steer and tools ready to assist in fulfilling the needs of our customers. Donnie service. TPGA set up a secCrowell and Danny Calderon worked two of the next three weeks alongside our employees to close out several dozen service tickets and get our customers back in service. tion on their Members section of their website with numerWe are not yet fully recovered. However, due to the generosity of Bubba in lending us his employees and the hard work of Donnie and Danny, we are a whole lot further along than we would be otherwise. ous resources from funding to Aransas Propane Company is extremely grateful and thankful to Bubba Pfarrdrescher and all the other useful regulatory info. employees of Bubba’s Got Gas for their selfless sacrifices in helping a community in need. In this time TPGA also set up the of great devastation and recovery Mr. Pfarrdrescher has proven that not only does Bubba “got gas”, but he also has a kind and giving heart! We are proud to have Bubba as a colleague and a friend.

TXPGA Disaster Relief Fund through GoFundMe, Sincerely, designed to offset the cost of affected propane equipment for existing residential cusRay Herrod President tomers. The customer base in Aransas Propane Company, Inc. some affected areas has been hit hard - or wiped out - and the mission of the fund is to help return propane customAransas Propane Company, Inc. 361-729-2111 401 W. 10 Street Rockport, TX 78382 ers’ service by providing relief to them. To date, the fund has th

th

November 2017 •

Texas Propane

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hand to TPGA. PERC held daily conference calls and really assisted during the disaster from guidance to assets.

How Propane Helped Relief Workers

Buster Brown in New Caney, also serves as president of her Emergency Service District (ESD # 7). She’s served on the board of the district, which spans 144 miles, for more than 10 years.

During and immediately after Harvey, the district rescued more than 900 people. Buster Brown Propane donated propane to area shelters and to the City of Patton Village, where several were stranded and living in tents and affected by sink holes.

Josh McAdams of McAdams Propane & Midstream Transportation not only helped fellow marketers, but also took 18-wheeler loads of donations to the people in affected areas. McAdams also helped Floridians before Hurricane Irma made landfall by delivering propane to areas of Florida that were in short supply.

And several marketers from unaffected parts of Texas reached out to help their counterparts in areas Harvey had hit. Chris McCombs, owner of 1st Propane of Decatur in North Texas was one of the first propane marketers to call TPGA and ask how they could help. McCombs took his service truck and spent his Labor Day weekend helping a fellow marketer from the Greater Houston area to reset tanks along with McAdams Propane.

It might be a while before the full effects of Harvey’s impact are known. With marketers and others in the industry getting back to work as quickly as possible though, Allen Wells of BayGas may have summed it up best when he said “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Calls came in from relief workers across the U.S. helping the general population around Texas’ hardest hit areas, too. Volunteers, businesses, and organizations with food trucks, mobile showers, and food prep needed propane to provide those services.

When it could, TPGA connected those volunteers with marketers who were in a position to provide propane.

Bill Bates, a volunteer with Friends of Family Relief Effort, said it has been working with the Cajun Army to provide warm meals for people.

“TPGA set up a deal with a gas distributor, who donated us a cage like you see outside of stores with 18 propane tanks,” Bates said. “We slowly ran through those...then when we set up down [in a new location], the Cajun Army got a donation from AmeriGas. And through my contacts, Oracle donated 600-pound tanks, and has been keeping them filled at no cost. And that was all through TPGA.” Bates estimated that they’ve served about 500 meals a day to hurricane victims. Family of Friends is still at the Oak Meadow Community Worship Center in Houston serving meals.

Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit that feeds victims and first responders after disasters, also used donated propane to keep its pits going in Houston.

Thank you for those who donated to the TPGA Disaster Relief Fund CEO and Co-Founder Stan Hays said Operation BBQ is John Jessup, NCPGA Lisa Hill, Alabama PGA using 133 propane cylinders Lon Holloway, Northwest Propane Bob Barry, Bergquist to power eight commercial Lesley Garland, NPGA Wayne Bethel, Bethel Oil smokers and other cooking Dennis Vegas, PERC Stuart Weidie, Blossman Gas equipment.

Propane Industry Helping Others

As was the case between neighbors, families, and friends in Harvey’s aftermath, many people in the propane industry reached out to help, even outside official capacities.

Jan Peterson, owner of

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Frank Platz, Delta Liquid Energy Linda Miracle, Gas Equipment Skeeter LaDue, Gas Equipment Hovey LP Gas, Inc. Marshall Young Insurance Knight Propane Linda Terry, Linscot Enterprises Michigan Propane Gas Association Missouri Propane Gas Association

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Shelby Bell, PA PGA Paragon Insurance Group Harris Baker, Pinnacle Propane Superior Energy Systems Tennessee Propane Gas Association Tennessee Retail Association WESROC Tom Osina, WVPGA

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Member Advantage

TPGA Members Reap the Benefits of PERS

For over a decade, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) has partnered with Professional Emergency Resource

Services (PERS) to provide our members with a discounted emergency number.

Started by a former propane marketer

in 1989, PERS has provided an emergency response telephone number for hazardous materials shipping papers, transport vehicles, rail tank cars, and for posting at storage facilities and unattended fueling sites nationwide.

Their response center is staffed around the clock with qualified personnel, ready to provide assistance to our customers and first responders.

Their customers include propane marketers, petroleum marketers/jobbers, welding/specialty gas distributors, chemical manufacturers, power production plants, and many other types of companies, which ship or transport hazardous materials.

You must be a paid subscriber to use and post the PERS emergency response number.

PERS subscribers can use the PERS emergency response number on: • Hazardous materials shipping papers

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to comply with US DOT requirements; • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to comply with OSHA requirements; • Hazard Communication Labels to comply with OSHA requirements; • Posting at registered addresses/facilities to comply with the RRC requirements; • Tier II reports to comply with TCEQ

“Several customers called about overturned or missing tanks. PERS was a blessing during the storm,” says Peterson.

A discounted PERS emergency number is just one way members of TPGA get

In addition to the cost-saving and compliance our members receive, it’s also the service.

One member, Jan Peterson of Buster Brown Propane, said PERS freed up her time tremendously. She previously used her personal cell as an emergency number.

She used to get several non-emergency calls from her customers.

Now subscribed to PERS, Jan Peterson says, “When I get a call from PERS, it’s always a legitimate emergency, a cut line or leak.”

It’s not just the day to day operations, when Hurricane Harvey hit Peterson’ service area, PERS was also there to assist her propane customers with the high volume of calls.

the Member Advantage.

Members call TPGA today at (800)325-7427 for additional information on how you can save with a PERS emergency number.

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Duty to Warn

Duty to Warn Effectively

By Jay Johnston

In the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, Archie “Moonlight” Graham gets driven to the ground by a pitch after executing his long-planned act of defiance of winking at a major league pitcher. After dusting himself off, Graham complains to the umpire “Hey Ump, how about a warning?” The umpire replied, “Sure. Watch out you don’t get killed.”

While such direct words of warning may be effective with propane customers considering performing unauthorized and untrained work on their propane systems, I suspect they’d be vilified by politically correct crusaders.

One definition of Duty to Warn: A duty to warn is a concept that arises in the law of torts in a number of circumstances, indicating that a party will be held liable for injuries caused to another, where the party had the opportunity to warn the other of a hazard and failed to do so.

Unfortunately, our legal system has attempted to morph this definition from opportunity to inform to interpretive effectiveness. Are the words, colors, boldness and frequency strong enough to be considered an adequate warning? How much warning is adequate or enough to be effective?

My prayers, respect and love go out to all impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Before, during and after the horrific storm officials warned all residents in the path, making tough decisions regarding evacuation orders while coordinating rescue efforts and safe shelter. In the end there

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were plenty of critics about duty to warn.

There is an old tale about a woman of strong religious faith during a flood. She prayed for the Lord to save her. After declining rescue efforts of a canoe, a boat and a helicopter saying “No thank you, the Lord will save me” the woman falls victim to the flood. When she arrived in heaven the woman confronted St. Peter asking why the Lord forsook her prayers… to which St. Peter replied, “We did our best.

We sent a canoe, a boat and a helicopter!”

Sometimes all of us need to be warned about unsafe behavior and each of us may selectively pay attention. If we look around we will find that our entire lives are surrounded by warnings. Do this. Don’t do that. This product might cause… Use caution when… Avoid excessive…

Speaking of complicated Duty to Warn verbiage, have you ever read the operating directions and warnings that come with a gas leak detector? If done per instructions it can be a very high maintenance process. Plaintiff attorneys have suggested propane marketers should provide as many free gas leak detectors as necessary and be responsible for maintaining them.

This ridiculous suggestion was quashed with comparisons to smoke detectors and consumer obligations. Today all current safety material suggests consumers buy and maintain gas leak detectors for their own safety.

In my opinion, the duty of the propane marketer to warn includes reasonable effort encouraging customers to recog-

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

nize and avoid hazards related to unsafe product use. Including but not limited to warning about unauthorized and untrained work on any propane system or product.

I have spent decades serving on the National Propane Gas Association Safety, Training, and Education committees wordsmithing phrases to be effective warnings to consumers and propane marketers alike. Common sense and industry safety advances have made current warnings more clear and effective.

To that end the Propane Education & Research Council has developed state of the art material in all areas of the propane industry, from consumer education to marketer training and education. PERC has a video of a homeowner who did it himself and caused a fire at his home. While the insurance man browbeats him, his wife softly says something to the effect of “I told you not to do it yourself.” Even spousal shame can be an effective warning tool.

Insurance industry loss control efforts usually include an audit of safety material sent out to customers. Frequency, variety, distinctiveness and accurate record keeping are key components to effectively executing Duty to Warn efforts.

So check out PERC’s material, as well as ProCOT’s a Texas twist on PERC Important Information For You & Your Family Brochure. Review the frequency and memorable nature of your consumer warnings. Consider custom messages to address specific hazards such as carbon monoxide, gas leak detectors, unauthorized/untrained work and renter/landlord occupancy communications.

These are the keys to Duty to Warn Effectiveness.

Jay Johnston (www.thesafetyleader.com) is an insurance executive, safety management consultant and motivational safety speaker in the propane industry. Jay is the publisher of The Safety Leader newsletter and author of the books The Practice of Safety and A Leap of Faith takes Courage. Jay can be reached at Jay@thesafetyleader.com or 612-802-0663.

GUIDANCE

What is Duty to Warn?

A duty to warn is a concept that arises in the law of torts in a number of circumstances, indicating that a party will be held liable for injuries caused to another, where the party had the opportunity to warn the other of a hazard and failed to do so.

A lawsuit by a party injured by a product, where the manufacturer failed to properly warn, is usually brought as a "negligence" action.

How Can My Company Comply?

There are numerous ways that you can provide your customers product warnings.

This could be in the form of monthly bill stuffers, warning labels, safety calendars, newsletters, door hangers, on the back of meter tickets as well as through annual comprehensive mailer like the Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program.

Annual Safety Mailing Program The Propane Council of Texas’ Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program uses a comprehensive safety brochure that covers numerous important safety topics including: what propane smells like, what to do if you smell gas, the importance of not running out of gas, appliance maintenance and the Railroad Commission’s required consumer safety notification.

How does it work?

1. Propane retailers go to www.procot.org 2. Complete the online registration form & upload your mailing list to the form.

3. Registration package is automatically sent to a third party mail house 4. You will receive email confirmation as soon as your registration is received.

5. Your company name is ink jetted on to the safety mailer 6. The safety mailer is sent to your customer by non-profit bulk, which can take up to two weeks to reach them from the date the mailer is dropped in the mail.

7. Once mailed and payment is received you will receive a postage receipt and affidavit from the mail house that your mailing is complete.

What does it cost?

The biggest savings to you is there is no cost for the brochure and the Council covers postage.

Each participant is responsible for two passthrough fees. You, the marketer, are only responsible for a small $35 fulfillment flat fee and 6.8 cents list processing fee per address.

November 2017 •

Texas Propane

15

Safety Talk

Unloading a Bobtail Using a Bobtail Pump Safety Meeting START THE TRANSFER: 3 I f unloading using metered delivery service, set the meter.

3 Open the bobtail discharge valves including the hose-end

valve and the internal valve. Open the last valve slowly to avoid slugging an excess flow valve.

3 Engage the power takeoff (PTO), set the engine RPM to the proper speed, and begin pumping. Do not start the pump until the liquid line is open.

3 Monitor storage tank levels throughout the transfer to ensure against leaks or overfilling.

END THE TRANSFER: 3 Stop the bobtail pump when one of the following occurs: 3 All storage tanks reach maximum permitted filling level

(MPFL).

Bobtails have different components than other bulk delivery vehicles. By familiarizing yourself with the following steps, you can ensure the safe unloading of a bobtail.

POSITION THE BOBTAIL FOR THE UNLOADING PROCESS: s you park the bobtail, position it so that: A 3 Both level gauges (bobtail and receiving container) are vis-

3 The cargo tank reaches empty.

Complete the process by closing all liquid and vapor valves on

the bulkhead and the cargo tank.

Bleed down and disconnect the liquid hose carefully.

ible.

3 Shutoff valves on both the bobtail and the receiving con-

tainer are readily accessible.

3 Th e bobtail is at least 10 feet from the receiving container.

3 Once positioned, turn off all electrical devices, set the park-

ing brake, and use your wheel stops* to prevent unintended movement.

CONNECT THE HOSES AND CHECK FOR LEAKS: 3 A ttach the bobtail hose-end valve to the bulkhead con-

nection with an adapter OR connect the bobtail hose-end valve to the bulkhead hose-end valve with an adapter, depending on the bulkhead confi guration.

3 Ensure vapor equalization by connecting the bulkhead hose with the hose-end valve to the bobtail vapor connection.

This will minimize wear and tear on the transfer pump and avoid unnecessary slowdown.

3 Open the bulkhead valves and check connections for leaks.

Signs of a leak may include the persistent odor of propane, liquid escaping as white mist, or vapor that looks like hot air rising from hot blacktop.

3 If a potential leak exists, close the bulkhead valves, tighten the connections, replace damaged seals, and/or replace the adapter. If the leak persists, do not unload your bobtail and contact your supervisor.

16

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Discussion Topics 1. As you are about to unload abobtail truck, you realize that it is only six feet away from the storage container. How should you handle this situation?

2. In what situations is it okay to proceed if you believe a potential leak at the connections exists?

LEARNING ACTIVITY Practice the process of unloading a bobtail. Supervise participants in the connection, transfer, and completion, identifying problems that can occur at various stages. Review your company’s procedures for addressing such issues.

For more information about unloading a bobtail, visit propanesafety.com.

Source: Basic Plant Operations (PERC)

November 2017 •

Texas Propane

17

Inside the Industry

People in Propane Otto Lee Koenning, 83, of Cuero passed away on October 7, 2017. He served his country during the Korean War in the Army. Mr. Koenning was a rancher, beer distributor with Lone Star Beer in Cuero, Yorktown, Westhof and Nixon, and a propane distributor, where he retired after 25 years. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lindenau and the American Legion. Our thoughts and prayers go out the family.

Saber Recalls Grills and LP Gas Regulators

The recall involves Model RA329 LP gas regulators with a date code in the range of 1120 to 1344, which were sold with certain Saber LP gas grills, warranty part kits, and natural gas to LP gas conversion kits; or installed as warranty or service parts in certain other Saber LP gas grills; or installed in Saber natural gas grills and burners if they have been converted to LP gas instead of natural gas.

The model number of the grill is located on a rating label located on the underside of the grease tray. The regulator date code is stamped on the regulator adjacent to the gas tank connection, and the regulator model number is on the center of the regulator. To see a complete list of recalled model numbers, go to recall.sabergrills. com. If you have one the recalled grills,

stop using it immediately and contact Saber for a free repair kit with installation instructions. Contact Saber Grills at 866671-7988.

These grills were sold at specialty outdoor living stores nationwide, and authorized website and catalogs including Bed, Bath & Beyond and Frontgate, from September 2011 to May 2017.

Prepping for New Retail Drivers?

Don’t Forget PERC’s Preventing Bobtail Rollover Safety Package

Just a reminder! Do not forget the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has created a bobtail rollover safety program with guidelines and tips on what a driver can do to minimize the risk of a rollover. The program includes a DVD; a CD that contains a booklet; a

Let the company that knows your business, protect your business

worker’s compensation • general liability • auto insurance property insurance • health insurance & employee benefits risk management services

Protecting Propane and Petroleum Dealers for over 20 Years!

Member

225 S. Fifth St., Waco, TX 76701 • (800) 267-6221 • www.insurors.com 18

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

quiz with an answer key; and a certificate of employee completion.

Printable components of the program are complimentary for download at the site, as well. The complete program can be ordered at www.propanecouncil.org/ propanecatalog or TPGA members can call (800)325-7427 to checkout/reserve a complimentary DVD/CD copy from the TPGA Video Lending Library.

Prepping for New Transport Drivers: Don’t Forget PERC’s Transport Operator Training Program

Just a reminder! Do not forget about PERC’s Transport Operator Training primarily designed to train employees who operate a transport, this program provides information, practices, and procedures that support general delivery tasks for those who operate commercial motor vehicles to deliver propane.

The program covers: Propane basics, safely handling propane and other hazardous materials, transport inspection procedures, emergency procedures, transport features and equipment, procedures for loading at a terminal, bulk plant equipment and procedures for unloading at a bulk plant.

The CD/DVD kit includes all of the files included in the PDF Handbook and a 90-minute video highlighting best practices for transport vehicle operators, organized into

modules to customize training based on job responsibilities and training requirements.

The complete program can be borrowed/check out from the TPGA Member Lending Library or ordered at www. propanecouncil.org/catalog. A PDF digital handbook is complimentary for download at the site as well.

Making a Difference: Texas Customers Thankful for Propane Generators

Education & Research Council (PERC).

Download these weather safety downloadable PDF newsletters and brochures to prepare customers for a variety of weather-related events including hurricanes, floods, tornados power outages and thunderstorms, as well as natural disasters like earthquakes and wildfires.

Login or create a login and download at: http://www.propanecouncil.org/Prod-

ucts-with-Options/Weather-Safety/

The Propane Insurance and Safety Expert

With power outages several times a year and one lasting two weeks a few years ago because of a forest fire, Mike Graham’s family persuaded him to buy a generator to run his propane-powered home near Todd Mission, Texas.

Luckily, his propane provider, Texas Star Propane, started selling Generac generators in July and were prepared to sell him one with a free upgrade from his 250-gallon above-ground tank to a 500.

Mike liked that he could buy the generator from a business he already knew and that he didn’t have to schedule electricians and coordinate the propane connections, which he would have had to do for the other companies he received quotes from.

The tank and generator were installed the day before Hurricane Harvey, and immediately kicked in when the power went out to run the whole house — two air conditioners, two refrigerators, two freezers, TVs, a stove, a water heater, a clothes dryer, and heating for 32 hours.

Mike didn’t have to leave his home to hook up his breathing machine and didn’t have to worry about finding fuel to fill up a portable generator, like he had to in the past.

He’s just one of several customers thankful for propane generators and the difference they make.

Weather & Natural Disaster Brochures

That keeps your business safe and protects the bottom line.

Call Jay Today

www.TheSafetyLeader.com

952-935-5350

Consumer Weather Propane Safety collateral are available from the Propane November 2017 •

Texas Propane

19

Where in the World

In Aftermath of Hurricanes, Propane Microturbines Keep Power On Capstone Turbine Corporation (CST), a leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, reported that the overwhelming majority of their customer’s installations in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands not only survived the storms Harvey, Irma, and Maria, but are fully operational and providing critical power, which in some cases provided the power needed to pump water.

In the case in Puerto Rico, when Hurricane Maria, the most powerful storm to hit in nearly a century, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, kept its lights on after Maria knocked out all grid power on the island thanks to its propane microturbines.

Earlier in 2017, Popeye’s installed two propane-fueled C65 microturbines from Capstone Turbine Corporation (CST) to provide primary power and backup power generation.

D.L.Morrison Welding & Construction L.P. MC 330 & 331 Transport & Bobtail Testing & Inspecting MC 330 & 331 Transport & Bobtail Repair & Re-furbish Storage Installation Compressor Repair 217 Morrison Hill Lane • Gainesville,Tx. 76240 Ricky Taylor 940-727-8608 • Mason Day 940-727-1355 Fax 940-612-2055 E-mail ricky_taylor62@yahoo.com 20

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Humble ISD School Teachers Receive $5,000 Donation from Propane Council

This fall, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) surprised teachers at River Pines Elementary School with a $5,000 donation in recognition of Humble Independent School District’s dedication to economic and environmental initiatives showcased by its use of propane school buses. The donation is part of PERC’s nationwide Better Our Buses campaign to educate parents, teachers and school officials about the benefits of using an alternative fuel like propane and to help buy classroom materials through the nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org’s online marketplace for teachers.

The Humble ISD operates 47 propane buses, 20% of the district school buses, helping transport approximately 12,000 students to and from school daily.

750 school districts across 47 states are operating more than 13,000 propane school buses, which transport nearly 790,000 students to school each day. The growing adoption of propane buses prompted PERC to launch this school bus awareness campaign. Now in its third year, the campaign has donated $75,000 to teachers at schools utilizing propane buses.

S OF ION R A E Y 70 RICAT B A F K K TRUC

TAN White River Distributors, Inc. has been an industry leader since 1944, with a staff of sales professionals with over 100 years of experience to help make your purchase an easy one. We have tanks 600 to 8000 gallons, your choice of chassis. Build to your specifications. New, used, and refurbished propane bobtails, change-overs, and repairs. Financing available, delivery service available. Trade-ins Accepted. Pick up the phone and give us a call.

www.lpgbobtails.com • 1-800-548-7219

REFINED FUEL TANK WAGONS • PROPANE BOBTAILS VACUUM TANKS • WATER TRUCKS • OIL/WATER SEPARATORS • FRAC SAND

Contact Danny McElroy at the Southwest Sales Center Dallas, Texas 1-800-483-9971 • danmcelroy@aol.com

Legal Beat

State Supreme Court Denies Summary Judgment on Certain Duty of Care Issues in Lawsuit Arising Out of Fatal Carbon Monoxide Exposure Incident

By Kathryn A. (“Katy”) Regier

In June 2017, the Idaho Supreme Court denied summary judgment on duty of care issues in the wrongful death and personal injury case of Forbush v Sagecrest Multi Family Property Owners Association, Inc. In the underlying incident a young Marine died and his girlfriend was seriously injured due to carbon monoxide exposure while they were overnight guests in an apartment unit. Allegations in the lawsuit include that defendants knew there were high levels of carbon monoxide emissions in multiple units due to issues with the water heaters but did not take any action or sufficient action to protect the occupants.

The apartment unit at issue was part of a large apartment complex with multiple layers of property oversight and control as far as inspections, maintenance and repairs. A local gas company that conducted inspections and analysis of the carbon monoxide emission problems with the heating systems in the apartments was sued along with a number of other parties.

Although the decision reviewed below addresses duty of care issues between the apartment association and the property management company as far as warnings, installation of carbon monoxide detectors and maintenance of the water heaters after the carbon monoxide issue was dis-

22

covered, the case provides insight for gas companies as to risk management issues, including following training and procedures as far as gas-fueled appliances.

Background/Underlying Incident

The apartment complex at issue had forty-eight separate buildings with four apartments in each building. A property owners’ association (POA) was responsible for maintaining the grounds and the unit owners were responsible for maintaining the interior of the apartments. Both the POA and the unit owners were required by the property covenants, conditions and restrictions to use the same property management company. The two groups entered into a contract with First Rate Property Management in March 2010. About a year or so later, in early 2011, tenants started reporting concerns about smelling gas/odors inside apartment units.

Intermountain Gas was contacted about the concerns and determined that carbon monoxide levels were high in some units due to issues with water heater venting systems. The apartment complex had two types of water heaters; one type had metal screens around the bottom of the tank; the second type had only a partial screen and was prone to clogging which could lead to

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

the emission of carbon monoxide. After the property management company met with Intermountain Gas, they made the decision that things would be fine if they simply had someone clean/vacuum the water heater screens. However, concerns continued to grow about carbon monoxide emissions and in July 2011 Intermountain Gas was contacted again after a tenant reported smelling gas. Intermountain Gas checked the unit, “described the carbon monoxide level as deadly and attributed it to the unit’s water heater.” A short time later, a plumber also inspected the water heaters, found issues with the venting systems and advised the property management company that the issues needed to be taken care of before there were health problems or a death. The property managers determined that more needed to be done than cleaning the screens and decided the water heaters should be replaced. Tenants were informed that there were higher levels of carbon monoxide in some units than the property managers “would like to see” and that the water heaters would be replaced starting the next week. Tenants were also provided with carbon monoxide detectors.

Unfortunately, despite the notice to the tenants about a known carbon monoxide risk, months later the water heaters still had not been replaced. The property management company, the POA and the unit owners apparently did not come to an agreement on how to handle the issue.

More inspections and testing were done including on the subject unit where the underlying carbon monoxide exposure incident took place. In March 2012, property managers tested the subject unit and found high levels of carbon monoxide; but the test results were contradicted several days later by an Intermountain Gas employee, who found normal levels of carbon monoxide in the unit.

Notably, the POA also issued procedures in March 2012 that included a provision for

Legal Beat hard-wired carbon monoxide alarms to be installed over time, including during unit change overs or during scheduled maintenance procedures. However, after the fire department was called to a unit in October 2012, because the carbon monoxide alarm sounded, and found high levels of carbon monoxide, the property managers asked that hard-wired carbon monoxide alarms be installed in every unit immediately. The POA agreed, but apparently there was no follow through on the decision. Other issues arose between the property managers and POA related to the carbon monoxide concerns including how to handle preventative maintenance, e.g. the cost of hiring a plumber to do the preventative maintenance; who should issue warnings to tenants and the scope of the warnings.

The underlying incident occurred on November 9-10, 2012, when 18-yearold Private First Class McQuen Forbush (Forbush), who had just completed basic training, and his girlfriend, Breanna Halowell (Halowell), were overnight guests in the subject unit. Sadly, Forbush died and Halowell was seriously injured after they were exposed to hazardous levels of carbon monoxide through the night.

After the incident, it was determined that the toxic level of carbon monoxide emissions was caused by a clogged water heater vent. Moreover, it was discovered that the battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in the apartment unit was not working because the tenant had removed the batteries when the detector started beeping (likely due to low batteries) and put the detector in the closet.

The Lawsuit

Forbush’s parents and Halowell filed a wrongful death and personal injury action against multiple defendants including entities and individuals associated with the apartment complex management; A.O. Smith, the company that designed and manufactured the water heater; Goodman Manufacturing, the company that designed and manufactured an air handler used in the apartment heating system, the mechanical subcontractor who installed the water heater hood, air handler and venting; and the plumbing company that installed the water heater. Intermountain Gas was added as a defendant in an Amended Complaint.

As noted above, Plaintiffs alleged in the Complaint that the property man-

agement company gave written notice to tenants about carbon monoxide levels in some units stating that although the carbon monoxide was venting through the top of the water heater, the potential existed that it could enter the unit. Plaintiffs also alleged that the property management company “promised” to replace defective water heaters. However, months after the notice was provided, the water heaters had still not been replaced.

Plaintiffs also asserted a number of allegations in their Complaint along the lines

of the risks known to the defendants before the fatal incident including that a “closed combustion gas-fired water heater” needed sufficient air for proper combustion and venting so that the products of combustion did not end up in the living space.

Plaintiffs also asserted that the notice to tenants about the high levels of carbon monoxide stated that tenants should keep the bi-fold doors of the closets open when running the clothes dryer - again the inference is that defendants knew there were issues with the heating system installation,

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GAMBLING W ith your insurance?

Other propane owners have come to our agency to cover their insurance bets: 1) Most tell us they have no idea what companies insure their industry and are surprised to learn there are multiple options available; 2) Many have discovered a gap in coverage after meeting with us; 3) Some have grown frustrated with the lack of timely response and personal service from their current agent.

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November 2017 •

Texas Propane

23

Legal Beat location and design that increased the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Plaintiffs also alleged that it was known to certain defendants that there would be difficulty in accessing an opening in the bottom of the water heater, called the “flame arrestor,” to clean it, and that a known propensity existed for the opening to clog, especially if the water heater was near a clothes dryer.

Plaintiffs further asserted that if that opening in the water heater clogged then there is not enough “clean air” for proper combus-

tion which could lead to such high levels of carbon monoxide that the exhaust/ventilation system would be “overwhelmed” and carbon monoxide could flow out the top of the water heater and into the living space.

Plaintiffs’ liability theories also included that defendants took no action, or no appropriate action to protect tenants or other occupants in the apartment units.

Moreover, Plaintiffs asserted that certain defendants failed to perform a reasonable inspection of the heating system after de-

termining the water heater was leaking carbon monoxide into the unit; failed to confirm that the carbon monoxide detectors were properly installed; and failed to maintain the heating system in a reasonably safe condition.

The Appeal

As noted above, the appeal in this matter involved the POA, not the gas company. The POA filed a summary judgment motion asserting it did not have a duty of care with respect to several issues which the district court granted. Plaintiffs appealed the decision. The Idaho Supreme Court agreed that the POA did not owe a duty of care based on a premises liability theory but that a jury would need to address material issues of fact on other duty and liability issues. Accordingly, the POA and the president of the POA remain in the litigation as defendants.

Lawsuits arising out of incidents where plaintiffs allege defendants knew there was a risk of harm, had a duty to act to prevent the harm, but failed to properly do so, often involve sorting out complex responsibility and duty issues. The decision and Complaint referenced above do not contain details as to the specific allegations against the gas company. By inference though, one allegation may be that the gas company failed to perform adequate carbon monoxide testing in the subject unit when it determined the levels were normal prior to the incident. However, it is clear from the Complaint that the allegations against all defendants included that defendants were aware of the risk of deadly levels of carbon monoxide exposure and either took no action, or insufficient action to protect the occupants of unit. Regardless, this case underscores the need for gas companies and their employees to carefully and consistently follow all training and procedures as far as gas-fueled appliances in heating systems.

At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security.

– Jodi Rell Kathryn A. (“Katy”) Regier is an attorney with the Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C. law firm in its Kansas City, MO office.

She can be contacted at: kregier@sandbergphoenix.com or (816) 425-9683.

24

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

When Quality Matters.

TM

Say Cheese

Fox 4 DFW News Anchor Steve Eager, along with other local celebrities Fox 4 Traffic anchor Chip Waggoner, Texas Ranger alum Dan Smith, and Fox 4 Meteorologist Dan Henry, greet Pros4Care golfers at the 10th anniversary golf tournament. All proceeds benefit prostate cancer patients, providing for medical expenses not covered by insurance and other costs related to the illness.

Ron Harrison and George Jenkins with Corken, along with Bill Sands and Pat Hodges with Squibb Taylor, came out to support the Pros4Care Golf Tournament started by three propane professionals a decade ago. They stopped by the Texas Roadhouse tent for a mid-tournament treat.

Jimmie Grant, Martin Gas, tosses a football for an extra swing at the Pros4Care golf tournament. He’s joined by Curtis Renfrow of Gulf Coast LP Gas and Pros4Care sponsor J.R. Anderson of Gas Equipment Company. One out of seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, which is why our industry has been a big supporter of the annual tournament.

26

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Chad Gray, Dixie LP Gas; Mark Smith, Leran; and David Etheredge, son of Anna May Etheredge, Bishop Energy, come out to support the Columbus Day Prostate Cancer fundraiser.

An Amerigas representative from the East Coast, Roger Maiolini and his son Jeremy, join his Texas colleague Russ Bartels for a day of fundraising, prostate cancer awareness and golf. It’s all for a good cause.

Riley Peveto; Lynn Gray, Dixie LP Gas; Jim Bishop, Enderby Gas; and Jim Thorton, Ben Spurgin Insurance; golf for cause at the Pros4Care Golf Tournament.

ANNOUNCING A NEW LOOK T h e p r o pa n e i n d u s t r y i s e v o lv i n g , a n d s o a r e w e .

1994

2015

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

Classifieds

Thinking of selling out?

Thinking of buying a competitor?

Thinking of opening a new location?

We have the resources and experience to make your thoughts a reality.

817-615-8393 • 800-267-9311 • www.alamocorporategroup.com For Sale Used Bobtail Barrels 2-2600 wg 1-2400 wg Contact: 800-852-4641

Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc Formerly, Southern Star Insurance Agency, Inc Cecil Joiner, Risk Manager cecil@garrettinsurance.com 1-800-545-2565 www.garrettinsurance.com

PetroStar Equipment Resources Purchase & Sale Pre-Owned Propane Tanks 5,000 gallons to 120,000 gallons FOR SALE (1) 13,500 gallon, 250 psi, Atlas Tank (2) 30,000 gallon, 250 psi, Mississippi Tank Contact: Jim Oliver (936) 755-6108 petrostar@pdq.net

2000 Peterbilt PB 330, 2600 Gallon Barrel Paccar Engine 3126B, 221,897 Miles Blackmer Pump, Neptune Meter, Veeder-Root Register 3200 FGI Remote System, 150ft Hose VK7/17 Hydro 7/13 $28,950.00 Firm Call Jacob: 512-971-3603

RAILROAD COMMISSION APPROVED TRAINING

1.1 Introduction to Propane

2.1 Dispenser Operations—

DOT/ASME Refueling

2.3 Bobtail Operations and Delivery

3.3 Appliance Conversion

3.8 RV Technician Your place or mine. Call for pricing.

Jack Harrison • 210-680-5096 propanesystems@gmail.com

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

28

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

Calendar

Index to Advertisers

November

2-3 PERC Council Meeting Tampa, FL 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back) 7-8 TPGA Board & Related Committee Meetings San Antonio, TX 23-24 TPGA office closed for Thanksgiving

December

8 ProCOT Duty to Warn Registration Deadline

Alliance AutoGas Outside Back Cover

January 2018

Countryside Tank 24

1 TPGA office closed for New Year’s Day

Cunningham Gas Products 27

18-19 NPGA Benchmarking Council (Groups A-F) West Palm Beach, FL

Insurors of Texas 18

22-24 AHR Expo Chicago, IL

1 Winter Propane Living newsletter subscription deadline

BLT Tanks 17

25-26 NPGA Benchmarking Council (Groups G-L) West Palm Beach, FL

D. L. Morrison Welding 20 Gas Equipment Company 12 Jay Johnston & Associates 19 Lone Star Energy Group 27 Longhorn Propane 28 Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency 5 Marshall Young Insurance 23 Meeder Equipment Co. 25 Metsa Inc. 11 Pinnacle Propane Inside Front Cover Quality Steel Corporation 21 Westmor Industries 13 White River Distributors 21

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN TEXAS PROPANE Magazine?

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

COMING Next Issue TPGA & NPGA: Membership Has Its Benefits

November 2017 •

Texas Propane

29

Propane With Purpose

Propane Powers Restoration Efforts

While Hurricane Harvey parked itself on the Houston area, people across the great state of Texas started mobilizing. It was no secret that when the massive rain event subsided, folks would be needing a variety of services. And businesses and people with special skills knew they would be needed.

When it comes to water damage and restoration, one product came to mind, DrySmart. While DrySmart may or may not have been used in Harvey restorations, the build on demand propane DrySmart Convection Heat Drying System is truly a turnkey piece of drying equipment that can help with large scale water damage like the damage left behind by Harvey. Hook up the hoses, flip a switch, turn the key, and the drying begins.

The restoration trailer is powered by propane and equipped with (four) 100 lb cylinders (95 Gallons total). Fuel Consumption at (66 Gallons) per 24 hours and furnace run time at full output for 35 Hours (1-2 day runtime).

Packing over 250,000 BTUs of energy, the DrySmart Structural Drying System quickly heats building interiors, driving out unwanted moisture and speeding the evaporation process.

For more information, contact Drysmart at 616.581.5920. or visit www.drysmarter.com.

30

Texas Propane • www.txpropane.com

• • • •

POWERED BY PROPANE