In Brief

September 23, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the Members-Only Monday Morning Messenger, published by the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA).


In the first story of the morning, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) opened the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP) last week, which has $25 million available for upgrading heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles to propane and natural gas vehicles.


In the second story of the morning, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) invites you to join their latest webinar on September 26, 2024. This webinar will discuss resources developed to help fuel the workforce pipeline from elementary through post-secondary education and how to engage with schools in your area.


Thirdly, the TPGA Board & Annual Business Meeting is scheduled for October 1 & 2, 2024, in Fredericksburg, Texas. The meeting will include various committee meetings, a BBQ lunch, and a dinner, along with industry updates, technical standards, and more.


Finally, the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) has opened the Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Safety Program for the 2024-2025 heating season. Learn more in our last story of the morning.


In our Quick Links, get fast access to propane pricing, the Propane Service Corporation, the Propane Job Board, and ProCOT’s most recent propane industry newsletter.

In this issue

  • In Brief
  • $25 Million for Propane Bobtails
  • September 26th PERC Webinar
  • Board & Annual Business Meeting
  • Duty to Warn
  • Quick Links

Calendar

September 26, 2024

PERC Webinar

Partnering with Schools



October 1-2, 2024

Fall 2024 TPGA Board Meeting

October 1-2, 2024

PERC Advisory Committee Meeting

October 7- 9, 2024

NPGA Fall Board of Directors, Committee & Section Meetings

October 8, 2024

LPG Charity Fund Golf Tournament


October 10, 2024

Ad deadline for

November Magazine

ANNUAL CALENDAR

$25 Million Available for Propane Bobtails, Medium Duty Trucks, & School Buses: Apply Now, Buy Later

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP) opened on September 18, 2024. This program offers substantial financial support for upgrading heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles to propane and natural gas vehicles. 


Program Highlights 

  • Total Funding: $25 million available 
  • Grant Amount: Up to 90% of eligible vehicle replacement or repower costs 
  • Eligible Vehicles: Heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles like bobtails, school buses, box trucks, and other medium-duty fleets.

Dedicated Fuel Options: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).



Key Requirements 

  • Vehicles must operate at least 75% of the time within the Clean Transportation Zone for four years or 400,000 miles, whichever comes first. 
  • Eligible vehicles include new LPG vehicles and used LPG vehicles (model year 2018 or later). 
  • Applicants must have owned and operated the vehicle being replaced in Texas for at least two years before submitting the application. 

Application Process 

1. Access application materials on the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP) webpage at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/tngvgp.html

2. Submit completed applications by March 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM CT 


Please note: Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are awarded. 


For more information, tap ProCOT's FREE grant writer

Heather Ball American Energy Institute

Phone: 512-484-8535

Email: heather@americanenergyinstitute.com



TERP website: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/tngvgp.html


To stay informed about TNGVGP and other Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) programs, subscribe to TCEQ's mailing list using the TERP email subscription form

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXTCEQ/signup/37420

Save the Date: September 26, 2024 Learn How to Partner with Schools

As part of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)'s commitment to the industry, a suite of resources has been developed to help fuel the workforce pipeline from the elementary level through post-secondary education. Items available include school activity kits, classroom-ready curricula on various topics, grant programs, and instructor Train the Trainers.


PERC invites you to join the latest webinar in the “Propane Presents” series on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 1 pm CDT to learn about how you can help empower the next generation of the propane workforce by partnering with these important allied groups in your community.


Elena Bennett, PERC’s Senior Manager of Industry Training and Education, and Armistead Mauck of Mauck Solutions will discuss the resources PERC has developed for students and instructors, what steps you can take to engage with schools in your area, and how to keep future generations interested and informed about propane and the various careers that they can pursue in this field.

REGISTER NOW

October TPGA Board & Annual Business Meeting

Join us on October 1 & 2, 2024, for the TPGA Board & Annual Business Meeting, which will be held in Fredericksburg, Texas.


Where: Inn on Baron's Creek

308 W. Washington St.

Fredericksburg, Texas 78624


Parking: Free and complimentary

Schedule

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

• 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Executive Committee Meeting

(Executive Session 9:00 am to10:00 am)

• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Finance Committee Meeting

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Cooper's BBQ sponsored by CUI & Allstar Fuel

• 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Technical & Standard Meeting

• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Meetings and Convention Planning Meeting

• 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Nominating Committee Meeting

• 5:15 pm - Walk to Happy Hour & Dinner 

• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Happy Hour

• 6:30 pm - Dinner at Mamacitas Restaurant, sponsored by Otodata


Wednesday, October 2, 2024

• 9:00 am – 11:00 am TPGA Board & Annual Business Meeting

with Special Guests, New AFS Director, Karely Bisbano

and Oversight & Safety Division's April Richardson


Agenda: Propane Industry Updates, Technical & Standards, RRC Update, Meetings/Convention Update, Executive Director's Report, Old and New Business, Officer Swear-In


Attendance

  • Meetings: Open to all TPGA members
  • RSVP: Required for seating and space accommodations
RSVP

Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Day 1 Coffee Break: Buster Brown Propane
  • Day 2 Coffee Break: Targa Resources
  • Lunch CUI & Allstar Fuel/Fred Garrison Oil Co.
  • Dinner is sponsored by Otodata

Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Safety Program is Underway

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is now open for the 2024-2025 heating season while supplies last. The program offers Texas propane providers an affordable way to distribute essential safety information to their customers and ensures that providers have documented proof of educating their customers with valuable safety information.


Fees: ProCOT covers the cost of brochures and postage when mailed through the program. Texas propane retailers pay $38 per company registration and 9.5 cents per address, the same fees as last year.


Steps to Participate:

  1. Register Online: Texas propane retailers can use the online registration form to register.
  2. Upload Mailing List: Complete the online registration form and upload the Texas propane customer mailing list. Do not email the lists. The mailing list must be in a spreadsheet with file extensions of .csv or .xlsx.
  3. Registration Package: Once registered online, a registration package is automatically sent to a third-party mail house.
  4. Confirmation: An email confirmation will be sent once the registration is received.
  5. Company Name Imprint: The company name is ink-jetted onto the Texas safety mailer.
  6. Mailing: The safety mailer is sent to Texas customers within 30 days by non-profit bulk mail.
  7. Postage Receipt and Affidavit: Once mailed and payment is received, a postage receipt and a notarized affidavit from the mail house confirming the mailing is complete will be provided.

Deadline: December 4, 2024, to ensure delivery by the end of the year or while supplies last.

REGISTER

Quick Links

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The Propane Council of Texas just released its Fall 2024 Propane Industry Newsletter. You can learn about the latest ProCOT projects.

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