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In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) updates members on our recent meetings with U.S. Congressional leaders in DC last week.
Secondly, TPGA reports on the final passage of a pivotal Texas bill that will assist us with local government infringement on our businesses. It's a significant win for all businesses!
Thirdly, TPGA is happy to announce that the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has extended the deadline in which propane retailers can report their 2022 gallons. This report is critical to Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) program funding.
Lastly, our annual Convention is right around the corner. Get ready to mark your calendars as we reveal the top highlights and give you a sneak peek into what you can expect. This is a Convention you won't want to miss!
Before we sign off, don't forget to check out our Quick Links section. TPGA highlights some valuable resources from the Propane Service Corporation (PSC) 1) Propane Cylinder Brochure and 2) the Duty to Warn booklet specifically tailored for our commercial and industrial customers.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- TPGA Fights Overregulation in DC
- TX HB 2127 Update
- Critical Reporting Deadline Extended
- Texas Hottest Propane Event of the Year
- Quick Links
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Gas Appliances Under Siege:
TPGA Fights Federal Overregulation On Capitol Hill
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Last week, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) headed to Washington DC for its annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill organized by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). A big part of Propane Days centered on the issue of preventing further advances from federal agencies trying to overregulate gas appliances out of existence.
In response the both U.S. chambers have filed legislation to put a stop to the rules. It just so happens our trip to DC was right in time, where we could educate Congressional Offices on HR 1615 the Gas Stove Protection & Freedom Act and HR 1640 the Saves the Gas Stoves Act as both are anticipated to have votes in the near future.
The HR 1615 Gas Stove Protection & Freedom Act prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to (1) regulate gas stoves as a banned hazardous product, or (2) issue or enforce a product safety standard that prohibits the use or sale of gas stoves or substantially increases their price.
HR 1640 Saves the Gas Stoves Act purpose is to prevent the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from imposing or modifying energy conservation standards that would render certain products unavailable due to the type of fuel they use. HR 1640 prohibits the finalization, implementation, or enforcement of a proposed rule, titled "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products," which was issued on February 1, 2023. HR 1640 acts as a safeguard against potential restrictions and ensures consumer choice and accessibility in the realm of gas kitchen ranges and ovens.
HR 1640 has 63 co sponsors including several US Congressman from Texas that include : Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], and Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33].
With strong support from Congress, these bills signify a vital step towards preserving consumer energy choice. TPGA will keep members up to date if these bills advance. A full recap on the influential day on the Hill will be recapped in the July Texas Propane magazine.
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Empowering Businesses:
Texas Bill Strikes a Blow to Excessive Local Control
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Texas House Bill 2127 authored by Rep. Burrows has successfully passed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature and is now on its way to being signed by the Governor. As previously reported, the bill is causing quite a stir as it aims to put an end to the creation of local ordinances that exceed the boundaries set by state law. These ordinances cover a range of important areas such as labor (any business), natural resources (including the LP Gas industry), and finance.
For a long time, Governor Abbott and influential business lobbying groups have been advocating for such a law. They argue that it's crucial to eliminate the complex web of local regulations that burden business owners and hinder the overall economic growth of our great state.
The passage of this bill not only marks a significant victory for Rep. Burrows and Governor Abbott, but it also serves to reinforce Texas Law Texas Natural Resources Code (TNRC) 113.054, which was previously passed by TPGA back in 2011. This law was specifically designed to rein in local governments, cities, and counties that adopt arbitrary ordinances, deviating from the state's established laws and regulations set by the Railroad Commission.
TPGA receives calls nearly every week from its members regarding how cities demand additional requirements for LP Gas installations. Often, these additional requirements hold no substantial merit. HB 2127 brings strength to our position, as it promises to further support our propane state standardization law.
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Propane Sales Report Extended: 222 TX Propane Companies Haven't Reported. Report Now | |
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Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) programs include appliance rebates, the duty to warn safety mailing program, consumer safety tip & recipe calendars, firefighter training, Propane Living, and consumer education campaigns.
Do you know how ProCOT gets their funding? A critical piece of how much funding ProCOT gets from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is based on Sales of Propane reported by Texas propane retailers submitted annually to PERC each year.
The deadline to get your 2022 propane sales reports to PERC has been extended to Friday, June 15, 2023. We urge each Texas propane company to report.
There are more ways to report than just one.
To complete the survey, please visit the PERC website at www.propane.com/salesreport. Your designated propane company representative must log in to report. You can call TPGA/ProCOT at (800)325-7427 for their name and login assistance.
Additional ways to report. Not in front of a computer all day to be able to log in and report, PERC will take the 2022 gallon information by phone by calling Grace Willis at 202-261-2219, or you can complete the offline sales report in Word linked below and then email it to grace.will@propane.com.
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Propane Industry's Hottest Event: Join Us for the TPGA Crossroads Expo & Conference | |
The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) will be hosting the 2023
Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference this Summer.
Dates: Thurs, August 3, 2023 – Sat, August 5, 2023 Conference
Saturday, August 5, 2023 Tradeshow & Expo
Where:
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Reasons why you do not want to miss out...Highlights
- Get training from the folks that make the rules at our TPGA Regulatory Compliance Training Forum on August 3, 2023.
As a bonus you will get CE from the Railroad Commission.
- Catch up with new and old friends at the Welcome Reception and President's Cocktail.
- The Woodlands is home to several award-winning golf courses, including the Woodlands Country Club, Panther Trail, which will host our Friday, August 4, 2023 morning golf tournament.
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Explore over 50 vendors exhibiting at our Saturday, August 5th expo. Discover new products and services at the tradeshow. Attendee expo only passes are $100 for the first person and $55 for additional person for a limited time only.
- Access state and federal government agencies at the expo for compliance, rules, regulations, codes and grants.
- Attend our Closing Night for awards, new board members sworn in, and a special guest speaker.
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Shop at Market Street The Woodlands. Market Street The Woodlands is a 1.2 million square foot shopping center with over 150 stores and restaurants.
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Kids out for summer? No problem, The Woodlands has TreeVentures, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, a free Big Time Rush Concert, Urban Air Trampoline Park, TopGolf, Main Event, iFly, Bowlero, and Dave & Busters.
Attendee registration. Price goes up at the end of the month. Don't miss out on early bird pricing! Register by June 30, 2023. Attendee is exclusive to Category E propane retailers that have bobtails selling propane to the end user and dispenser operators selling propane to the end user.
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Vendor registration. All vendors must have a booth to attend the Crossroads event. Booths are sold out, but we have a waiting list.
Call (800)325-7427 to be added to the waiting list.
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Thank you to our Crossroads sponsors
Expo Lunch • Propane Council of Texas
Golf Tournament • Targa Resources
Beer & Wine Pavilion • Midstream Transportation
Tote Bags • Cargas Systems
Lanyards • Enterprise Products
President’s Cocktail Reception • Quality Steel
Expo Floor Refreshments • Cactus Tanks
Expo Floor Refreshments • Rural Computer Consultants
Call (800)325-7427 about sponsoring Crossroads today.
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Inform your customers about transporting, using & storing of propane cylinders with this safety brochure at PSC. | |
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Order this Duty to Warn Booklet for Commercial & Industrial Customers at
Propane Service Corporation
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