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MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
April 6, 2020
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , read our Top Story , to learn more about what action the Governor of Texas has taken that strengthens our position as essential workers.

Secondly, find out about how more online Railroad Commission training classes were added to help marketers meet their continuing education requirements.

Also, numerous federal bills have passed to provide financial relief to businesses that are impacted by the COVID outbreak. TPGA outlines one of the most enticing options that we've seen so far and will be covering more options in future communications.

Speaking of COVID, with the cancellation of events like the NPGA Southeastern Expo & Conference in Nashville, many people are taking their sessions online, including PERC. Find out how you can tune-in online and get information on everything from fighting electrification to using social media in workforce recruitment beyond online job posts.
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: Essential Workers Update
  • Compliance Corner
  • Forgivable Loan
  • Online Marketing Sessions
Top Story
Governor's Executive Order Strengthens Propane's Position as Essential Workers
Last week, Governor Abbott told Texans to stay at home for the next month unless they are taking part in essential services and activities, announcing a heightened statewide standard to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

"States that have adopted 'stay-at-home' policies or even some that use 'shelter-in-place' are very close to ours, which is, if you had to put a label on it, it would be 'essential services and activities only,'" Abbott said at the press conference. "If you're not engaged in an essential service or activity, then you need to be at home for the purpose of slowing the spread of COVID-19."

In the Executive Order, it states, "Essential services" shall consist of everything listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, Version 2.0. The propane industry, along with equipment manufacturers and distributors, is included in the above-mentioned adopted document.

The Executive Order went into effect midnight on April 2, 2020, and lasts until April 30, 2020.



Compliance Corner
Railroad Commission Adds More Online
Continuing Education Classes for April
The Alternative Fuels Safety Department of Railroad Commission of Texas has added more online continuing education classes to its April line up.

The online Continuing Education classes are free , and registration is first come, first served.

The online classes include:

2.1 Dispenser Operators , which covers the following certifications:
• DOT cylinder filler;
• ASME motor fuel dispenser;
• Bobtail driver; and
• Categories E, F, G, I and J

3.3 Appliance Conversion , Installation and Venting, which covers the following certifications:
• Service and Installation;
• Appliance Service and Installation; and
• Categories D and E

3.8 Recreational Vehicle Gas Appliances , which covers the following certifications:
• Recreational Vehicle; and
• Category M

To view the schedule & register for one of the following online classes, visit the RRC website at https://rrc.texas.gov/alternative-fuels/safety-licensing-training-and-certification/training-and-exam-events/ . 

The RRC will continue to expand online classes as they determine availability. 

If you have questions, contact the RRC at training-exams@rrc.texas.gov and 512-463-2682. 
On the Hill
Forgivable Loan:
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. It will cover up to 8 weeks of payroll.

The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months.

Must Keep Employees on the Payroll—or Rehire Quickly . Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

All Small Businesses are eligible with 500 or fewer employees including self-employed individuals, sole proprietors , and independent contractors. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible if they meet the SBA size standards .

No collateral or personal guarantees are required. No fees.

How to Apply . Apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or approved lenders. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. A list of participating lenders by visiting https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find .

Events
FREE Webinars to Replace Canceled
Southeastern Expo PERC Education Sessions
With the cancellation of 2020 NPGA Southeastern Expo & Conference, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has taken its sessions online so the propane industry can still attend, just virtually, over series multiple webinars over multiple dates.
 
The sessions are as follows :
10:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, April 7
Propane Autogas Can Do That: The Inroads to On-Road
Are you looking for profitable gallons year-round? Are you interested in lowering your operational costs to grow revenues? Learn from a panel of experts, including PERC staff and plenty of end-users, about the benefits the latest solutions provide for you and your customers.
 
Click here  to register.
 
10:00 a.m. (CST) Friday, April 10 
Combating the Competition
When it comes to competing with other energy sources, propane is going on the offensive. Whether it is the threat of electrification or other fuels, it is important to have the data, talking points, and case studies to sell propane against the competition. Hear the latest that you can use as you sell PROPANE Clean American Energy®. Expect a panel of PERC’s very own subject matter experts with plenty of Q&A.
 
Click here  to register. 
 
10:00 a.m. (CST) Monday, April 13 
Workforce Outreach: Programs & Tools for Attracting New Employees
An increasing shortage of workers is not unique to the propane industry. Learn about the tools, resources, and best practices PERC has compiled for promoting employment in the propane industry as a great career for all types of job seekers. Learn how to implement some of these programs and about the many tools your company can leverage in partnership with local schools, veterans’ organizations, job fairs, and online resources to give your company an edge when attracting future propane employees.
 
Click here  to register.

2:00 p.m. (CST) Monday, April 13
Can Do Series: Marketing to Recruit New Hires
Tune into a webinar hosted by PERC on to learn new workforce recruiting strategies using social media that go beyond simply posting a job listing online.

Click here to register.
 
10:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, April 14 
Engage Now! The Environmental Conversation
Looking for a way to grow your business with steady demand 12 months a year, and not just cold winters? Join PERC at our “Grow Your Gallons” session to learn how to approach public and private fleets to convert their vehicles to propane autogas. You'll be able to identify and eliminate obstacles that are restraining the wider adoption of autogas. 
 
Click here   to register.
 
10:00 a.m. (CST) Wednesday, April 15 
Taking it to the Next Level: Changes in Safety, Training, & Compliance
Safety, training, and compliance programs for the propane industry are being updated at PERC to meet ever-changing regulatory and employee needs. This session will review the CETP certification program, which qualifies for RRC continuing education and other PERC safety, training and compliance programs like CSR training. There will be live demonstrations of PERC’s online learning management system and how this tool can help you meet some of your training and compliance needs.

Click here to register 
Quote of the Week

“An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.”

–Jack Welch, former General Electric CEO