February 18, 2019
MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
In Brief
Good morning!

In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , hear who will be leaving a position after nearly two decades.

Read this issue to find out some hot topics that will be discussed at the upcoming TPGA Board & Committee meetings in Austin.

Also, are you registered for Texas Energy Day? If so, check the latest schedule and updates in the Texas Energy Day rundown.

Additionally, in our last feature, hear about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's latest grant round specifically targeted to small businesses with 5 vehicles or less.
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story
  • Meetings
  • Under the Dome
  • Small Business Funds
This Week

February 18, 2019
TPGA, PSC & State
Offices Closed for
President's Day

February 19, 2019
TPGA Board & Committee Meetings
Austin, TX

February 20, 2019
Texas Energy Day
@ TX Capitol
Austin, TX
Top Story
NPGA CEO Steps Down After 17 Years
Rick Roldan has served as President and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) for 17 years and the industry for over 24 years. It was announced that he will be stepping down from the position. Mr. Roldan reported that he would remain with NPGA through the end of the calendar year to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, who hasn't been named.
Meetings
TPGA Board & Committee Meetings
The Legislative Update Breakfast hosted by TPGA on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Courtyard Austin Downtown Hotel (host hotel) is held in conjunction with TPGA Board & Committee meetings and it will give members an inside look at the Texas Legislative Session, legislation filed affecting the industry, and will give attendees a run down of Texas Energy Day events.

TPGA Meetings 
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
8:00a – 9:30a              TPGA Legislative Update Breakfast & Energy Day Preview
9:30a – 10:30a           TPGA Convention/Meeting Planning Committee
10:45a – 11:45p           TPGA Executive Committee
11:45a – 2:00p                  Lunch on your own
2:15p – 3:15p              TPGA Finance Committee
3:30p – TBD               TPGA Board Meeting
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
  • Big state regulatory win to be announced
  • Lawsuit Update
  • Legislative Update
  • 2020 Convention location to be announced

ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

Breakfast will be in the Rio Grande B meeting room, and all committee meetings will be in the Rio Grande A meeting room. The board meeting will be in the Rio Grande B meeting room at the Courtyard Austin Downtown Hotel at 300 E 4 th St.
Under the Dome
Texas Energy Day at the Texas Capitol
Bring your jeans, boots, cowboy hats, CHL cards, business cards and join us for Texas Energy Day at the Capitol.

Texas Energy Day 
Wednesday, February 20
9:00a Doors Open
9:30a – 10:00a               Light Breakfast
Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca St)
10:00a - 11:30a               Special Guest Speakers
Lt. Governor, RRC Commissioner, House Energy Chair & more
11:25a               Walk to the Capitol
11:30am – 1:00p             Lunch on the South Texas Capitol Lawn
1:30p – 4:00p                  Legislative Office visits at Texas Capitol
2:30p Cupcakes on Energy Avenue
4:00p                                 Final briefing & photo on South steps
4:30p – 7:00p                 Reception with Legislature at 800 Congress Ave

Downtime activities: Low NOx Propane School Bus on Energy Avenue,
Photo booth fun Ground Floor Capitol Rotunda, Capitol Gift Shop, Capitol Tour, Capitol Visitors Center, and more.
Funding
Rebate Grant Program for Small Businesses
On March 14, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TERP) under its Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) will open a grant round exclusive to Texas small businesses who want to replace older diesel vehicles with a cleaner, newer vehicle whether it be propane or even diesel vehicle over 8,500 GVWR. $5 million is available on a first come, first-served basis for applicants who qualify as a TERP small business.

Eligible Applicants: Applicants who qualify as a TERP small business. A TERP small business is defined as an applicant who owns and operates no more than five pieces of equipment, one of which is an on-road diesel-powered vehicle or a non-road diesel-powered piece of equipment. The equipment being replaced must have been owned by the applicant for at least the two years immediately preceding the application date.

Eligible Areas: For this grant funding period, the eligible counties (grouped by area) include:
  • Austin Area: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties
  • Beaumont-Port Arthur Area: Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties
  • Corpus Christi Area: Nueces and San Patricio Counties
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise Counties
  • El Paso Area: El Paso County
  • Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties
  • San Antonio Area: Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Wilson Counties
  • Tyler-Longview Area: Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Smith, and Upshur Counties
  • Victoria Area: Victoria County

Reminder complimentary grant consultation and writing services are available from the Propane Council of Texas for those specifically switching to propane. Contact ProCOT at info@propanecounciloftexas.org if you are interested in this grant or other grants.