In this issue of the
Monday Morning Messenger
, the association's weekly newsletter, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) highlights a state program on the chopping block from the Texas Legislature.
Also, time is running out to take advantage of first come, first serve non-competitive grants for propane vehicles from the state for 2019. Read more below to find out how you can use these funds for personal vehicles, service trucks, and more.
Speaking of alt fuels check out the calendar to the right for Clean Cities meetings happening this week in Texas.
Additionally, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) fatalities are on the rise. Find out the cause and how you can educate your drivers on CMV safety.
Lastly, have you registered for Texas Energy Day at the Capitol? Join Texas Propane Gas Association and other oil & gas industry members as we show lawmakers how big of voice the industry has.
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- In Brief
- Top Story
- Incentives
- CMV Safety
- Texas Energy Day
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This Week
January 21, 2019
Railroad Commission & state offices closed in observance of
Martin Luther King Day
January 22, 2019
NCTCOG Clean Cities Stakeholder Meeting
Arlington, TX
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January 23, 2019
Houston-Galveston Clean Cities Stakeholder Meeting
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Top Story: Under the Dome
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Light Duty AFV Incentive Program
on Legislative Chopping Block
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Rep. Jim Murphy of House District 133 of Houston filed HB 889. The legislation proposes to repeal TCEQ’s TERP Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase & Lease Incentive Program.
The incentive program, set to expire May 31, 2019, grants $5,000 per new propane or natural vehicle purchased or converted within the first 500 miles under 10,000 lbs anywhere in the state of Texas (from the Panhandle to RGV) and $2,500 for EV’s.
This is not the first time the program has been on the chopping block. The program was resurrected in 2018-2019 after two-year hiatus from 2016-2017.
At a Texas Clean Air Working Group call last week, TCEQ reported the program being under subscribed. The TCEQ website reports over (1,000) EV incentives, (27) natural gas incentives and (3) propane incentives have been granted under the program that relaunched in the Summer of 2018 leaving $4.6M still available.
Stay tuned to TPGA Communications for any updates on this legislation.
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LIMITED TIME OFFER
$5,000 per Light Duty Propane Vehicle
Expiring this Spring. Act Now!
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Propane retailers are eligible to apply.
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Speaking of TCEQ’s TERP Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase & Lease Incentive Program, marketers, you have until May 31, 2019 (at the latest) to apply for the program, first come, first serve incentive.
Highlights
:
- $5,000 per eligible propane light duty vehicle or pickup
- Incentives available statewide no matter where you live in Texas
- Not competitive, funds are first come, first serve
- No destruction required
- Bi-fuel or dedicated are eligible
- Converted before Point of Sale or within 500 miles
- Complimentary grant writing services available upon request
2018 & 2019 bi-fuel and dedicated light duty models are on the list like Chevy Silverado & Sierra on list.
If you want to take advantage of this program, the time to act is now. Due to it being underutilized, TCEQ has the ability to move it to more popular programs if they so choose.
Interested in more information about this grant or other first come, first serve grants for larger vehicles, please email
info@propanecounciloftexas.org
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Safety & Regulatory Alert
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FMCSA: Increase in CMV Fatalities
Attributed to Unbelted Drivers
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Over the last two years, there has been a considerable rise in commercial motor vehicle deaths due to unbelted & unrestrained drivers according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA study discovers 40% of the commercial motor vehicle fatalities, the CMV drivers were not wearing a seat belt.
Talk to your drivers about seat belt safety.
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The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) in partnership with the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, Texas Pipeline Association & others will host a Texas Energy Day in Austin on February 20, 2019 from 9:30am - 6:00pm.
TPGA invites
all members
to join us for the day at the Capitol.
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February 19, 2019
TPGA 1st Quarter Board & Committee Meetings
8:00a to close of business
February 20, 2019
9:30a – 10:00a Energy Day Breakfast at the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center
10:00a - 11:30a Legislative Briefing at the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center
11:30a – 11:45a Walk to the Capitol
12:00p – 1:30p Lunch on the South Capitol Lawn &
Viewing of energy displays & propane vehicles on Colorado Street
1:30p – 4:00p Brief group legislative office visits at Texas Capitol
4:00p Final briefing & photo on South steps
4:00p – 6:00p Reception at 800 Congress Ave
All Energy Day events will be in walking distance of the Capitol.
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Deadline to register is February 1, 2019
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Courtyard Downtown Austin Hotel │ 300 E. 4th Street │ Austin, TX 78701
Group rate: $160+tax per night
Group Name: TPGA Texas Energy Days 1st Qtr
Reservation phone number: 888-236-2427
Group block cut-off: February 4, 2019"
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