MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
October 21, 2019
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , read our Top Story of the day to get an update on the current Texas Commercial Driver License Hazmat Endorsement issuance timeline.
Secondly, do you know what triggers an out of service order for your drivers with roadside enforcement? In our Regulatory Spotlight of the morning, we tell you what constitutes an out of service violation and how to comply with an out of service order.

Winter is around the corner that means Winter Texans and consumers will be shopping around for propane. Are you on the association's MEMBER ONLY Texas propane directory? Is your information up to date?
Read more about how to check your listing and how to update your information in our third story of the morning.

Lastly, the State of Texas has renewed funding for new medium-duty & larger propane vehicles to the tune of $15 million. Find out if you or one of your customers qualify below. Funding is available first-come, first-serve.

CORRECTION: We have a correction to the calendar to the right. The TPGA Board & Committee Meetings will be in College Station, TX . Hope to see you in Aggieland!
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: CDL
  • Regulatory Spotlight
  • Propane Retailer Directory
  • $15 Million Dollars
CALENDAR
October 21, 2019

October 21, 2019

October 22, 2019
RRC classes
recommence in Austin

October 22, 2019

October 28-29, 2019

October 29-30, 2019
Top Story
Commercial Drivers License
Hazmat Endorsement Texas
How Long Should It Take?
Nowadays, generally, when a driver fingerprints in Texas, the application will be forwarded to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within a couple of days. TSA is usually pretty fast at this time of year, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) should hear within 30-45 days if someone has been approved. 

If the driver does not hear within 45 days, they should contact the CDL Help Desk at 512-424-2010. Texas Department of Public Safety will check to see if anything is wrong and if it is, TX DPS has some time to correct the problem.

The fingerprints are now only good (according to FBI) for 90 days, so leaving it any longer may cause more money and time for the applicant. 
Regulatory Spotlight
Out of Service Orders
In the case of a roadside inspection, enforcement officials may check for driver qualifications, proper shipment documentation, the mechanical condition of the vehicle, and the security of the load. If any of these requirements are not met, the driver, motor vehicle, or shipment can be declared “out-of-service.”

An out-of-service condition exists if you have the following violations:
• Inaccurate shipping papers.
• Incorrect placarding for your vehicle or load.
• Failure to display the appropriate markings on your transport vehicle.
• Leaking hazardous materials.
• Missing or inoperable internal valves.
• Unsecured manway covers, discharge valves, or venting devices, such as a pressure-relief valve.
• Unsecured loads.
• Vehicle in poor mechanical condition.
• Inoperable emergency equipment, including emergency shutdowns.

Complying with out-of-service orders
If your vehicle or shipment is declared “out-of-service,” you will be issued an “out-of-service” sticker which you must then place on your vehicle. You may not remove the sticker until proper repairs or corrections are made to the vehicle.

If violations other than out-of-service conditions are detected that do not affect public safety, you may be allowed to complete the current trip. However, those violations must still be corrected before you drive the vehicle again.

If the inspector decides it is safer to relocate the vehicle, it must be towed, transported, or escorted to a safe location at the direction of an official authority. It is critical that your drivers completely understand the out-of- service violation and any restrictions or special instructions provided by the enforcement official. Violating an out-of-service order could negatively affect your driver’s driving privileges.

Excerpt: PERC OSHA/Hazmat Training Book (Rev. 2019)
Marketing Minute
Member Only: Texas Propane Retail Directory
Updates Before Winter
Are you on Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA)'s MEMBER ONLY Propane Directory?

If not, send us your physical locations and the counties you service.

If so, has any of your company information changed? Have you added a new location? If so, send us your changes and/or your new locations and your service area, the important part, the counties you serve. We have to have this integral part of the equation (the counties you service) to upload your locations and for the tool to work.

Check your listing by visiting the directory and typing in the county you service.
Funding News
Over $15 Million Available First Come, First Serve for Propane Bobtails, Propane Service Trucks & More from the State of Texas
Last year, school districts, business fleets, and propane retailers were able to leverage millions of dollars from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) through the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program for propane (LPG).

Now the program is back! The Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program has over $15M in funding. Texas fleets in a qualifying area (over 80 Texas counties eligible) can switch to cleaner-burning, homegrown propane autogas and possibly qualify a grant.

Grant amounts depend on the model year and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Here are some takeaways from the TCEQ TERP program:
  • The new vehicle must be a dedicated propane vehicle (mono fuel).
  • A new vehicle purchase is not required until the grant is approved.
  • The old vehicle you are replacing must have run on either gasoline or diesel.
  • The old vehicle you are replacing must be MY 2007+ or older.
  • The older the vehicle you replace, the higher the GVWR, the bigger the payout.
  • There cannot be a lapse in the old vehicle registration for more than 30 days in 2 years/24 months from the date of submission (copies of vehicle registration are required).
  • Old vehicle you are replacing must run. You will need a mechanic certify that is operational.
  • GVWR has to be over 8,501 lbs
  • GVWR range must be like for like. Basically, vehicles you are swapping out must be in the same weight class.
  • Replacement and destruction of the old vehicle are required only after the grant is approved.

Need grant writing assistance or have questions? The Propane Council of Texas can help with that. Texas fleets who want to switch to propane can call (800)325-7427 or email info@propanecounciloftexas.org to see if you qualify this or other grants.