MEMBERS ONLY NEWS

December 8, 2025

In Brief

Welcome to this week’s Members-Only Monday Morning Messenger from the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA).

In our first story, TPGA updates members on the status of a seasonal hours-of-service waiver NPGA had sought for the winter months.

Next, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to revoke electronic logging devices (ELDs), an ongoing challenge for many users. Learn how FMCSA is working to strengthen oversight and prevent noncompliant devices from remaining on the market.

In a related story, FMCSA has added new resources for drivers and motor carriers to help them better navigate the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Finally, with heating season now underway, this is a timely reminder to communicate important propane safety messages to your customers.

Check our Quick Links for propane prices, the Compliance Store, the Texas Job Board, and the online Propane Learning Center.

Winter Seasonal HOS Relief Denied,

NPGA Advocacy Continues

On December 2, 2025, the FMCSA denied a request from the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) for a seasonal hours-of-service (HOS) exemption to cover peak winter operations from December 15 through March 15. The request followed one of the most difficult heating seasons in more than a decade and was advanced after extensive dialogue with federal officials during multiple weather-related emergency waivers. Despite strong industry backing and broad public support, regulators determined the proposal did not sufficiently demonstrate that the exemption would maintain safety levels equivalent to existing federal requirements.

NPGA’s application sought limited, winter-only flexibility for propane drivers working under extreme delivery demands, including:

Expanding daily on-duty and driving limits during the waiver period
Adjusting weekly restart requirements to match winter operating realities
Temporarily suspending cumulative hour caps during declared seasonal operations
Preserving all other federal safety and qualification standards

The intent, NPGA underscored, was not to weaken safety oversight but to provide narrowly tailored relief during periods when fuel access is critical to public health and safety.

Although the exemption was denied, NPGA has affirmed it will continue to advocate for solutions that reflect the real-world demands placed on propane delivery infrastructure during severe weather. The association remains focused on pushing for regulatory frameworks that recognize propane’s essential role in winter energy reliability while preserving the safety of drivers and the communities they serve.

ELD Problems? FMCSA Tightens the Rules

Many fleet operators are frustrated by receiving notices that their electronic logging device (ELD) has been revoked by FMCSA, even though they have already purchased and installed it in their trucks. The changing ELD list has created confusion, wasted money, and headaches for carriers just trying to stay compliant. Now there is some good news. On December 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a stronger vetting process designed to stop non-compliant devices before they ever reach the market.

The updated review process adds several accountability checks that did not exist before. Instead of relying almost entirely on self-certification, the agency now verifies technical details and actively screens vendors during the application process. Key improvements include:

Verifying manufacturer contact information and device specifications
Reviewing product images and software details
Cross-checking applications against revoked and inactive providers
Flagging questionable applications for further review or denial

What does this mean for Texas fleets? Fewer surprises and more confidence when buying equipment. While no system is perfect, this change should reduce sudden device removals and give carriers greater peace of mind that the ELD they purchase will remain compliant. In the long run, stronger enforcement helps everyone by improving safety, protecting honest operators, and reducing disruption across the industry.

FMCSA Clearinghouse Resources
Enhanced Learning Center Available

The FMCSA has created a library of materials to help users understand how to use the Clearinghouse to complete required actions, such as querying drivers, responding to consent requests, and reporting violations in relation to drug & alcohol testing requirements. Over time, that library has grown. To help you sort through the extensive list of materials to find exactly what you need, we have re-designed the Learning Center. You now have two options for finding materials: learning paths and the Resource Library.

Learning paths allow you to select your user role, then see a breakdown of all the materials available for the role by topic area. The learning path also includes a brief description of each download to help new Clearinghouse users understand how to use the Clearinghouse to meet their regulatory requirements.

Access Learning Center

The Resource Library gives you, at a glance, the full list of all the Clearinghouse materials available.

Access Resource Library

Have Your Safety Reminders Gone Out?
Heating Season Isn't Over Yet

The winter months see the highest number of carbon monoxide incidents, driven by the increased use of furnaces, space heaters, and generators.

Have you shared important propane safety reminders with your customers for the 2025–2026 heating season?

The registration deadline for the 2025 Texas Duty to Warn Program has now passed.

Registrations received after today or early this week will be sent by the mail house as soon as possible. While every effort will be made to mail them before the end of the year, most are expected to be sent in the New Year. Customers will still receive these important safety reminders during peak heating season, just after the first of the year.

The sooner you register, the sooner your customers will receive their propane safety reminders for the 2026 heating season.

The Duty to Warn Program provides essential propane safety information, including:

What to Do If You Smell Gas
Indicators of a Gas Leak
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Importance of Detectors
Why to Use a Qualified Professional (discouraging DIYers)
Propane Appliance Safety

It costs companies less than 10 cents per address to send this valuable information to their customers, plus a once-a-year $38 registration fee per participating propane company.

Register now for the 2026 heating season to ensure your mailing goes out during the first week of January (while supplies last).