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MEMBERS SHOP THE
TPGA STORE & $AVE
PSC IS YOUR ONE STOP,
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February 17, 2020
MEMBERS ONLY NEWSLETTER
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In this issue of the
Monday Morning Messenger
, read our
Top Story
for more information about the association's first board & committee meetings of the year. Today is the last day to make your hotel reservations. See the schedule and agenda in our first story of the morning.
Additionally, in this edition, learn about an outdated federal regulation that has been finally changed, making it easier for first time home buyers to buy propane homes.
Also, the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) is still looking for Texas propane retailers wanting to engage the agriculture market. ProCOT will be participating in a big farm show late next week in San Antonio. Read our next to last story of the morning to find out how you can help them.
Do not miss our last story of the day that highlights a Member Perk that may assist you in collecting on unpaid bills from your customers.
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- In Brief
- Top Story: Meetings
- Regulatory Spotlight
- Gallon Growing Event
- Member Perks
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CALENDAR
February 17, 2020
February 17, 2020
RRC, TPGA & PSC Offices Closed President's Day
February 18, 2020
February 21, 2020
Houston, TX
February 27-29, 2020
San Antonio, TX
March 3-4, 2020
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TPGA 1st Quarter Meetings Scheduled
March 3-4, 2020
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Meetings are open to all
TPGA members.
Location:
Lakeway Resort & Spa
101 Lakeway Dr
Austin, TX 78734
Schedule at a Glance
March 3, 2020
12:00p – 1:00p Meetings/Event Planning
Agenda:
2021 annual event venues & regional meetings schedule
1:15p– 2:30p Legislative Affairs Committee
Agenda:
2020 political environment & elections
2:45p – 3:45p Technical & Standards Committee
Agenda:
rule update & discuss next steps
4:00p – 4:45p Executive Committee
5:00p – 6:15p
Finance Committee
Agenda:
2019 end of year financials
7:00p Dinner
March 4, 2020
9:00a – 12:00p Board of Directors
Agenda:
finance report, recommendation for NFPA alternate, legislative outlook speaker TBD, & legislative report vote of support.
RSVP for the meetings and dinner online
here
.
Host Hotel/Make Reservations
The hotel is offering participants a discounted room rate of $149+tax per night, waived resort fee, 15% off spa services, and complimentary wifi internet in guest rooms, public spaces and meeting rooms. Parking is
complimentary
. Check-in: 4:00p; check-out: 11:00a.
Participants are responsible for reserving their own hotel accommodations. Please call 844-866-0366 and give them
group code 104485
. To make your reservations online use this
link
. The deadline to receive the discounted rate is
Monday,
February 17, 2020
.
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Outdated Federal Regulation Changed
to Make It Easier for First Time Home Buyers
to Buy Propane Homes
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L
ate last month, the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Department finally addressed an outdated regulation that made residential properties within 300 feet of a 1,000-gallon propane tank ineligible for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed loans, which are common among first-time homebuyers.
The regulation stated:
If the subject property line is located within 300 feet of an aboveground or subsurface stationary storage tank with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or more of flammable or explosive material, then the Property is ineligible for FHA insurance, and the Appraiser must notify the Mortgagee of the deficiency of MPR or MPS. This includes domestic and commercial uses as well as automotive service station tanks.
At the request of Texas propane member retailer, the National Propane Gas Association engaged FHA and HUD to identify the underlying regulation and advocate for the incorporation of NFPA 58 standards for separation distances between propane tanks and structures. Initially, HUD proposed to permit 250-gallon propane tanks within 300 feet of an FHA-backed property; however, NPGA continued to push for a higher container volume to accommodate homes utilizing propane for multiple appliances.
Ultimately, HUD changed the regulation to: (a) exclude all underground propane tanks; (b) exclude aboveground propane tanks of 1,000 gallons or less, if they comply with NFPA 58 2017 Edition, and (c) incorporate by reference NFPA 58 – 2017 Edition. HUD also instructs FHA to update the Single-Family Housing Handbook to reflect these changes. The changes are effective February 24, 2020.
Please direct any questions or comments to NPGA’s Deputy Counsel, Regulatory Affairs, Sarah Reboli at
sreboli@npga.org
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Engage Farmers at Commodity Classic
February 27-29, 2020 ~ San Antonio
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Join the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) for the 2020 Farm Commodity Classic, America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience on Thursday, February
27, 2020, through Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.
The Commodity Classic trade show is expected to attract over 9,000 attendees from across the country (which includes over 4,500 farmers) and will feature some 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest ag technology, equipment and innovation.
Farmers consistently rate the trade show highly. The Council will be attending to educate farmers on the expanded propane ag equipment incentives from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
and propane ag applications.
Join us at the tradeshow for a chance to engage with farmers from all across the country with concentration from Texas.
Schedule
Thursday, February 27, 2020
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tradeshow Open
Friday, February 28, 2020
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tradeshow Open
Saturday, February 29, 2020
8:30 a.m. – noon Tradeshow Open
Passes.
Badges are available first come, first serve, one badge per Texas propane retail company, for those working at least one
full shift in the ProCOT booth.
Propane retailers can RSVP and secure a pass in the Propane Council of Texas booth. Click the button below to reserve your spot in our booth.
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Having Trouble with Customer Collections?
NPGA/TPGA Member Partner Can Help
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I
f you’ve employed traditional collection agencies, you know they charge between 33-50%. That not only negates your profit margin but also encourages you to hold onto accounts to avoid the high fees. In so doing, your accounts age making them less collectible, and a vicious cycle is created.
TekCollect
with offices in Texas, helps breaks the cycle. TekCollect employs a fixed fee of typically less than 5% (decreased). You place accounts early, when they are most collectible, utilizing our convenient and secure web-based program. There are no high fees, and we generate optimum results at the lowest risk of customer alienation.
TekCollect serves as an extension of your staff, enabling you to concentrate on the 30-60 day slow-pays. With this innovative yet easy approach, TekCollect prevents over 75% of your accounts from ever becoming 90 days delinquent.
TekCollect has also partnered with several propane back office software providers to make it even more seamless.
Don’t wait to take advantage of this exciting, exclusive NPGA/TPGA member benefit. To schedule your FREE Accounts Receivable Analysis with TekCollect today, please contact TekCollect at 888-292-3530.
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