Good morning. In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA), first off in case you missed it last Friday, the association sent a member alert on a recent compliance waiver extension. Check out our first highlight of the day to learn more about this waiver extension.
Additionally, the Texas Legislative Session is ramping up, and there are a number of bills we have our eye on. One of the bills expands a lucrative grant program that the propane industry has cash in on.
Read more about the proposed expansion in our second brief of the day.
On that note, another program that has been available to the propane industry and its fleet customers is in danger of being repealed. Read more about this statewide incentive program in the third story of the morning.
Speaking of the legislative session, Texas Energy Day is this Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Read more about this FREE virtual event in our linked stories.
Lastly, TPGA has released a more detailed schedule of our meetings occurring next week. Check out the schedule and let us know if you can make it.
Check out our Quick Links section for fast access to news, customized propane business items, propane pricing, and supply as well as find our dates for the convention this summer.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- Hours Waiver Extension
- TERP Grant Expansion
- Repeal of Light Duty Incentive Program
- Texas Energy Day
- TPGA Board Meeting
- Quick Links
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Calendar
March 24, 2021
March 26, 2021
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
April 1, 2021
April 1-30, 2021
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FMCSA Arctic Hours Waiver Extended, Again |
New extension expires
on March 31, 2021
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Texas Legislation Introduced
to Add Flexibility to
Vehicle Replacement Grants
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HB 963 by Rep. Lozano (R- Coastal Bend) and its identical companion, SB 945 by Senator Zaffirini would amend the TCEQ TERP *Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program which the propane industry has been successful in leveraging for dedicated propane bobtails, service trucks, and propane customer fleets.
The proposed legislation would allow for applicants in one of 80 plus counties in the Clean Transportation Zone to purchase a used propane or natural gas vehicle as long as it was 2017 or newer and receive grant funds.
Hopefully, the change will allow for more fleets to use $15M allocated to the TERP dedicated to only propane and natural gas vehicles.
Grant awards under the program vary based on the vehicle you are replacing and the weight rating of the vehicle. Grant awards have ranged from $9,563 to $43,036 for (1) propane bobtail to $85,402 for (2) propane bobtails.
The proposed bill was heard in the Texas House Environmental Regulation Committee on March 15, 2021. The legislators serving on the committee seemed very receptive to the change.
TPGA will alert our members of the bill's progress as the session progresses.
*TCEQ uses the term natural gas vehicle in TERP-related statutes to include both natural gas and propane vehicles.
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Repeal of Light-Duty Vehicle Incentive Program |
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Rep. Hefner (R-Tyler) has introduced a bill to repeal the Texas Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program and replace it with a gas flaring and venting reduction program. The Light Duty Vehicle Incentive Program is the only statewide incentive offered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through their Texas Emission Reduction Program (TERP) other than the Clean School Bus Program.
Revived in 2015 and expanded in 2017, the Light Duty Vehicle Incentive Program awards $5,000 per light-duty propane or natural gas vehicle and $2,500 towards electric vehicles. The program allows for bi-fuel, new, and conversions within the first 500 miles for vehicles with under a 10,000 GVWR.
The bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. The association will alert our members if the bill moves.
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Texas Energy Day is 2 Days Away |
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2021 Texas Energy Day will be on Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Hosted by Texas Oil & Gas Association
& sponsored by Texas Propane Gas Association
Agenda
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Virtual Morning Speaker Series
- Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
- Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House
- Wayne Christian, Commissioner, Railroad Commission of Texas
- Jane Nelson, Texas Senator & Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
- Commissioner Emily Lindley, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit & Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
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11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Live Stream of Resolutions from Capitol floor
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Capitol Lunch on Colorado St from propane-powered food trucks for legislators and their offices.
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Virtual Afternoon Delegation Meetings by Region
1:30 PM - Permian Basin & West Texas
2:00 PM - Houston & SETX
2:30 PM - DFW & North Texas
3:00 PM - Eagle Ford & South Texas
Registration is FREE.
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More Details on Next Week's
TPGA 1st Quarter Meetings
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1st Quarter 2021 TPGA Board & Committee Meetings
DATE & TIME: March 30, 2021 9:00AM - 4:00PM
LOCATION: Jack Walzel's House 298 County Rd 100, Buckholts, TX
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Schedule
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
9:00am - 11:20am
Legislative Affairs/Technical & Standards
Report on high priority TX legislation
· LPG motor fuel meter regulation
· Railroad Commission PERC training
· Ban the Gas Ban legislation
· CSST disclosure
· Top alt-fuel legislation
· CMV liability tort reform
LP Gas Advisory Committee
LP Gas Safety Rules
NFPA Update
30lb exchange at RV parks
Filling lease tanks during emergencies
11:30am - 12:30pm
BBQ Lunch - during lunch the Meetings Committee will discuss:
· Remaining board meeting 2021 schedule
· 2021 convention briefing
· Probable convention locations for 2022, 2023 & 2024
12:45pm - 1:30pm
Executive Committee
· A report from the last Executive Committee meeting held on January 5, 2021 will be discussed.
1:45pm - 2:45pm
Finance Committee
· Discuss and approve financials
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Board Meeting
· Each committee chair will give a brief overview of today's discussion.
· Appoint Directors to fill vacancies in Districts 7 and 9
· Vote on any items that need board approval.
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DATE AND TIME
03/30/21 9:00am
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03/30/21 4:00pm
Please RSVP so we can plan for food and sufficient meeting materials.
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A big thank you to Jack Walzel for hosting this meeting on his property! |
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CATCH UP ON
REGULATORY NEWS
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
ON REGULATORY BLOG
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PROPANE SERVICE CORP
DELIVERY TICKETS, DOOR HANGERS & OTHER CUSTOM ITEMS AVAILABLE
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TPGA WINTER FUELS
US & GULF SUPPLY &
US & TX PRICE UPDATE
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AUGUST 12-14, 2021
2021 CROSSROADS
PROPANE EXPO & CONFERENCE
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
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