June 19, 2023

In Brief

In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association reports on the passage of two high-profile bills on Capitol Hill just a week after the propane industry from across the nation, including TPGA, visited DC.


It's that time of year again when your annual hazmat registration is due. This includes all propane retailers and wholesalers that operate placarded vehicles regardless of if you operate intrastate or interstate.


The Texas Propane Gas Association will again host our popular Regulatory, Safety & Compliance Training Forum at the 2023 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference. Check our third story of the morning for one of the newest sessions you will not want to miss in this 4-hour continuing class.


Lastly, TPGA spotlights the 2023 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference host hotel, which took top honor this year, standing out from all the other Marriott properties across the globe. Have you booked your room yet?


Check out our Quick Links to see how you can support our TPGA Scholarship Fund and how you can save at our TPGA compliance store, Propane Service Corporation.

In this issue


  • In Brief
  • Lobbying Victory
  • Hazmat Registration
  • Compliance Training
  • Crossroads Update
  • Quick Links
Calendar

June 27, 2023

Gray, Gray & Gray Survey Deadline

 

June 30, 2023

Crossroads Expo & Conference

Early Bird Deadline 


June 30, 2023

BPN's 2023 Industry Innovators Contest


July 1, 2023

Hazmat Registration is Due


July 4, 2023

TPGA Closed for

Independence day

MORE DATES

Affinity Partners


Lone Star Energy Group Workers Comp Insurance

&

Basys Credit Card Processing

&

NoCell Technologies

From Lobbying to Victory: Propane Industry Celebrates Passage of Gas Stove Bills

Just a week after propane industry members from the country visited with their congressional representatives in Washington, including TPGA and representatives from Texas, two energy choice bills that Propane Days delegates lobbied for (that TPGA reported in the Messenger last Monday) just passed.


Last week, the U.S. House voted on two bills protecting consumer choice for gas stoves. Last Tuesday, Congressman Armstrong’s (R-ND) Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act (H.R. 1615) passed, with a 248-180 vote, which included yea votes from 29 Democrats, that, if signed into law, would prohibit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) from regulating gas stoves as a banned hazardous product. 


On Wednesday, Congresswoman Lesko (R-AZ) led the second bill, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (H.R. 1640), which would limit the Department of Energy’s (DOE) ability to finalize their February 2023 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking related to gas stoves as well as limit DOE’s ability to introduce similar regulations. The National Propane Gas Association worked closely with Congresswoman Lesko and proudly endorsed H.R. 1640.


 Watch the featured video above for the bill layout for an explanation of the legislation, and for a shoutout to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) for their support. The Save Our Gas Stoves Act passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 249-181.


However, the journey of these bills is far from over. Both bills will head to the Democratic-controlled Senate for consideration, where they will face an uncertain future.

Hazmat Registration is Due Before July 1, 2023

Intrastate and interstate propane retail & wholesale companies must register annually with the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for hazmat registration if you are a person who offers transportation or transports in commerce a shipment containing a quantity of hazardous material that requires placarding. Registration is by company.


The 2023-2024 Registration Year covers the period between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.


Registration Fees For 2023-2024

The annual fee for small businesses for registration year 2022-2023 will remain at $250, and $2,575 for all other registrants. An additional $25 registration fee applies to all registrations.


Propane retailers with under 100 employees and propane wholesalers with under 200 employees are considered small businesses and qualify for the smaller $250 fee. Ref: SBA Size Standards


Registration Deadline

The completed 2023-2024 registration statement and payment must be submitted before July 1, 2023, or before engaging in any of the activities requiring registration, whichever is later.


Is Your Registration Due? Some companies choose to register for multiple years at a time, you can search your companies status to see if your hazmat registration is due at https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/HazmatRegistrationSearch/.


For Failure to Register

The requirement to register with DOT is based on a federal law. The enforcement of this requirement is conducted cooperatively by federal, state, and local agencies. Federal, state, or local officials may impose penalties for failing to register or failing to meet the recordkeeping requirements.


Questions? Please contact (202) 934-1630 for businesses beginning with the letters A-M and (202) 934-1631 for businesses beginning with the letters N-Z.

LEARN MORE

Mastering Propane Compliance with PERC's Help. Register for the 2023 Crossroads Training

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) will be part of the Regulatory, Safety & Compliance Training (a 4 hour RRC continuing education crafted by TPGA) at the Thursday, August 3, 2023 Crossroads Propane Conference in The Woodlands, TX. PERC will be 1 of 5 presenters at compliance continuing education class. PERC will cover  resources available online on PERC's FREE Learning Center that will help you comply with state and federal regulatory requirements in addition to all its OnDemand self-paced training.


2023 Crossroads training registrants will learn about the availability of these OnDemand PERC trainings:

  • Dispensing Propane Safely Training
  • U.S. DOT Hazmat Training that meets every 3 year requirement
  • Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
  • Cylinder Requalification Training
  • Cathodic Protection Training

a s well as regulatory  resources like the

  • Comprehensive Compliance Handbook
  • Operations & Maintenance Manual, which is required by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
  • And more

The session will be led by Christopher Hanson, the Director of the Learning Center & Educational Projects at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) who will be covering the Propane Learning Center. He's worked in the educational industry for more than 15 years and prior to that he served in the United States Air Force.

Learn how to access and take the training and how to download these compliance resources by registering for the Crossroads Training on August 3, 2023 in The Woodlands.

REGISTER FOR CROSSROADS 

Woodlands Waterway Marriott Wins Prestigious Worldwide “Hotel of the Year” Award

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center will host the 2023 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference on August 3-5, 2023. In May 2023, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott was presented with the "Hotel of Year Award" from Marriott International. From all their Marriott properties around the globe, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott took top honors.


The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center will exceed your expectations with our newly transformed, pet-friendly guest rooms offering an elevated experience.


From the moment you arrive at the hotel in The Woodlands, TX, you will be immersed in the exceptional views of the Waterway, a popular spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The hotel also offers a variety of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and outdoor pool.


Reserve your room for 2023 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference now. Hotel block is open Crossroads expo & conference attendees and exhibitors only.

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

President’s Cocktail Reception • Triarc Tank

Expo Floor Refreshments • Cactus Tanks

Expo Floor Refreshments • Rural Computer Consultants


Call (800)325-7427 about sponsoring Crossroads today.

Quick Links

Discover How You Can Support Our Scholarship Fund Monetarily or Through Our Scholarship Silent Auction

LEARN MORE

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