MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
December 9, 2019
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , tis the season for your drivers to be on the road more than usual, so we wanted to point out some road violations they need to be conscious of so they can continue driving during the winter months.

Also, being a TPGA member, you get certain perks, a lot you may not even realize because they are automatic. Check out our second story of the day to see one way, TPGA members are saving through the association.

On a separate note, there is an opportunity for school districts big or small, rural or metro to take advantage of some grant funding only available for a limited amount of time. Read our Gallon Growing News for information about a webinar coming up that you can tune into to learn more.

Lastly, the association tuned into last week's webinar on the fuel station grants. Check out what we learned that would give you a little more insight into the grant in the final story of the day.
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: Driver Info
Spotlight on Regulation
  • Member Perks
  • Gallon Growing News
  • More Fuel Station Grants
CALENDAR

December 10-12, 2019

December 10, 2019

December 10, 2019

December 16, 2019
Top Story
Spotlight on Regulation:
Offenses that Could Remove
Your Drivers from the Road
Did you know it's not just major offenses like driving under the influence that can disqualify a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver from driving for a period of time? Below we highlight some of the other driver disqualifications from 49 CFR 383.51

Other items that can disqualify a driver between 60-120 days include:
1. Speeding excessively (15 mph or more over speed limit) 
2. Driving recklessly 
3. Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes
4. Following the vehicle ahead to closely
5. Not following a traffic control arising in a fatal accident
6. Driving a CMV without obtaining a CLP or CDL
7. Driving a CMV without a CLP or CDL in the driver's possession
8. Driving a CMV without the proper class of CLP or CDL
and/or endorsements 
9. Texting while driving or mobile phone use
10. Failure to stop at railroad crossing

And, violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials can disqualify a driver for 180 days to 2 years for the first conviction.
Member Perks
Rack Up the Savings with PSC
Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) members get special member pricing up to 30% through the TPGA store, Propane Service Corporation (PSC). Now that can add up over the year!

TPGA members can experience even further exclusive, competitive shipping only found online by ordering directly online at www.propaneservicecorp.com

To get your member savings, you must login before adding things to your cart. Shop 100's of items by collections or through our search bar. PSC got you covered offering everything from compliance items for your commercial motor vehicle to consumer education materials.
Growing Gallons
Get the Scoop Tomorrow on the STATEWIDE
Clean School Bus Grant
Webinar Scheduled for December 10, 2019
A couple Legislative Sessions ago, the Texas Propane Gas Association was successful in expanding this TCEQ TERP Clean School Bus (CSB) grant to allow for funding for school bus replacements. Previously, the grant only funded, tailpipe retrofits on diesel buses. Now with this state grant that is opening, it will allow school districts to replace an old dirty diesel bus with a cleaner propane bus.

The awesome thing about this program is one, its statewide . Any school district in the state, no matter where they are in Texas can apply. There are 4 major school bus manufacturers making propane school buses, the buses are there. School districts only need to make the purchase (only once they are approved for the grant). They have at least 18 months before they have to buy the school bus from approval.
Tune into the tomorrow's webinar hosted by the TCEQ to find out more about the program or contact the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) at (800)325-7427. ProCOT will answer your school districts questions and even write the grant for them.

School districts should have 18 months to purchase the school bus once they have grant approval.

The $6.2M in funding is first come, first serve and expected to go fast, more than likely within 30-60 days, since "clean diesel" also qualifies.
December 10, 2019
Clean School Bus Webinar

The webinar hosted by the TCEQ will be free and open to the public on Tuesday, December 10th, at 1:00 p.m. (CT). Please RSVP to terp@tceq.texas.gov to receive instructions for accessing the webinar and any updates leading up to it.
Infrastructure News
More Details on the
Alternative Fueling Station Grant
Did you miss last week's webinar on the Alternative Fuel Station Grant from the TCEQ? TPGA lobbied with clean air advocates this past session to double the funding from $6 million to $12 million. Here are more details on what TCEQ calls the Alternative Fuel Facilities Program (AFFP):


  • New construction or upgrade of propane refueling station qualifies.
  • Public refueling stations are given priority, but private stations are eligible.
  • Covers 50% of eligible expenses up to $600,000
  • Alt Fuel station operators in 1 of 83 counties called the Clean Transportation Zone can apply
  • Grant is not first come, first serve. It's competitive.
  • Applications scored by station location(proximity to highway); project objectives, applicant qualifications, & project feasibility.

Grant deadline is March 18, 2020 . Awardees have until April 30, 2022 to complete new station construction or upgrade.

Interested in applying? Complimentary grant writing assistance is available. Email info@propanecounciloftexas.org to see if you might be a good candidate for the competitive grant.