MEMBERS ONLY NEWS

March 2, 2026

In Brief

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

In our first story of the morning, we share an important opportunity for Texas propane families that only comes around once a year.

In the second story, we flag newly adopted regulatory changes that affect a specific segment of propane operators — including key dates you will want on your calendar.

In the third story, we give you access to the March issue of Texas Propane magazine before the print edition hits your physical mailboxes.

We also look ahead to next week’s TPGA Board & Committee Meetings in Kerrville, including the detailed schedule and special guests.

And in Quick Links, you will find fast access to propane pricing updates, member savings, workforce resources, and a seasonal safety reminder.

2026 TPGA Scholarship Application
Round Opens

The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 academic year. This program supports Texas students connected to the propane industry as they pursue higher education.

Who Is Eligible?

Texas resident
High school senior in Texas or undergraduate student
Enrolled full-time for 2026–2027 at an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school
Employee, child, or grandchild of an employee of a current TPGA member company (2026 dues paid)
A family member’s role must be directly tied to the Texas propane industry
GPA (needs to be in the upper half of the class for consideration)

Application Timeline

Opens: March 1, 2026
Closes: May 15, 2026 (11:59 PM CST)

What to Know

One-time award (past TPGA scholarship winners are not eligible)
Reviewed by an independent third-party higher education organization

Recipients will be notified in Summer 2026. Award checks for those selected are sent directly to the student’s institution and may be applied to Fall 2026 or split between Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.

For details and to apply, visit: www.txpropane.com/scholarship

Questions? (800) 325-7427 | tpgascholarship@txpropane.com

New Propane Community System Fees

The Railroad Commission of Texas adopted amendments to 16 TAC §8.201, as published in the February 20, 2026, Texas Register. The rulemaking stems from HB 4042 (89th Legislature, 2025), which removed the word “natural” from the statute, thereby placing propane community systems under the same pipeline safety and regulatory fee structure as natural gas systems. The amendments were originally proposed for public comment on November 14, 2025, and are now formally adopted.

New fees for Propane Community Systems

RRC Pipeline Safety & Regulatory Fee 16 TAC §8.201 Service Line

$1.00 per service line

Annual Payment Due: March 15 of each year

RRC Pipeline Safety & Regulatory Fee 16 TAC §8.201 Master Meter System

$100 for each master meter system

Annual Payment Due: By June 30 of each year

Payment

Payment method will be online through the RRC PIPES Portal.

For both fees, there will be a Notice to Operators from the RRC which will include:

• Payment reminder

• RRC PIPES Portal setup instructions

Accessing the Portal

RRC held a training session a few years back on how to get set up in this portal that still applies today. Access the RRC PIPES portal training here: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/pipeline-safety/training/workshops-and-conferences/rrc-pipes-webinar/

March 2026 Texas Propane magazine

Check out our cover story, Boats, Birds, and Boils: The Unexpected Ways Propane Shapes Crawfish Country. This March, find out how propane plays an important part in the life cycle of the crawfish, from powering boats to creating its habitat and more.

And that’s just the start of what’s inside this month’s issue:

Fueling Futures: Scholarship Rolls Out
Business Beat: 14 Computer Shortcuts — Save serious time by learning keyboard tips and tricks while on your computer.
Autogas News: Vehicle Tech Grants & Large Fleets on Propane
Builder News: National Builder Incentives Return for 2026
March Madness: NGLs at Work
Propane’s Look Back: The 1940s
Propane Inside the Industry: New Briefs, People in Propane, In Memoriam, & Acquisitions and New Members
Propane with Purpose: Fueling Fish Frys