January 23, 2023

In Brief

In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, the association is happy to announce that legislation has been introduced on both the state and national levels that protect against federal gas stove regulations and/or bans should federal overreach ever were to occur.

Additionally, more resources and talking points have been released by both the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) on gas stoves that marketers can use when talking to customers or builders or others that raise concerns.

Also, it has been brought to our attention that some intrastate propane marketers have had trouble applying for overweight/over-axle permits in Texas. Learn more about this issue in our third story of the morning.

Additionally, in this issue, TPGA shares some important upcoming deadlines.

Finally, the association spotlights the LPG Charity Funds' upcoming annual mixer in Houston. Check out our last story of the morning to get the details.

Check out our Quick Links section for access to the latest Winter Weekly Propane Price & Supply Update and the Propane Service Corporation store.

In this issue

In Brief
Gas Stove Legislation
Gas Stove Resources
Overweight Permits
Upcoming Deadlines
LPG Fund Event
Quick Links

Calendar

January 25-31, 2023

Tier II Training

January 29-

February 2, 2023

International Builders Show

January 30

- February 1, 2023

NPGA Winter Meeting

January 31, 2023

W2's & 1099s due to employees & contractors

January 31, 2023

2022 Appliance Rebat e Extended Deadline

February 1, 2023

TPGA Membership

Renewals Due

February 1-April 30, 2023

OSHA Injury & Illness

Posting Requirement

February 2, 2023

Annual LPG Fund Mixer

February 15, 2023

NPGF Scholarship Deadline

MORE DATES

Under the Dome: Texas & Federal Gas Stove Protection Bills Filed

Last week, Texas State Representative Steve Toth (The Woodlands) announced a preemptive legislative strike after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was rumored to be in talks to ban stoves on a national level. Filed as Texas House Bill 1414, the Home Range Defense Act prohibits state agencies from enforcing federal regulations against gas stoves.

Rep. Toth’s HB 1414 taps into Texas’ power under Article X of the U.S. Constitution to block Presidential Administrations from restricting citizens who cook with gas stoves. By introducing the Home Range Defense Act, Toth says he is declaring Texas to be a sanctuary state for those who rely on gas stove technology to prepare their meals.

Texas is the only one that filed legislation last week. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has been working with numerous members on Capitol Hill, including Congressman Issa (R-CA). Rep. Issa has introduced the National Gas Act, which would prevent the Administration from banning gas stoves. While this bill is a long shot to becoming law, it sends a strong message that Americans will not stand for agency overreach of this nature.

Additional Gas Stove Resources

In addition to the data NPGA has on stove emissions and ventilation, NPGA is gathering even more information to ensure that all policymakers understand the real data. For example, NPGA has compiled state-by-state data of electric/gas stove usage and asthma rates, which not only fails to demonstrate any correlation between higher gas stove usage and higher asthma rates, but in fact, it suggests the opposite—states where gas stoves are used more than average tend to have lower than average rates of asthma.

ASTHMA DATA

NPGA has also cemented its strategy with its cross-industry coalition partners—should CPSC release a request for information, NPGA is ready. Finally, NPGA is collaborating with PERC on consumer education around gas stoves. PERC has developed written talking points should CSRs or others need readily available information on gas stoves.

NEW WRITTEN TALKING POINTS

Overweight Permits &

U.S. DOT number Exempt

Intrastate Propane Vehicles

For propane transportation companies that are intrastate and exempt from having a U.S. DOT number, there are specific additional steps you need to take when applying for an overweight/over-axle permit with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TX DMV).

The way the portal was set up, the system requires a U.S. DOT number.

To override this system requirement, intrastate propane vehicles registered with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) will need to check the “I attest I’m private……” and place a note “Propane – and Railroad Commission number” in the box. (see below)

The permit will then drop into the TXDMV queue for a Supervisor override. TXDMV will then process the application.

For more information on overweight permits, please visit https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers/oversize-overweight-permits.

A special thank you to Linscot for helping to resolve this matter and sharing this information with the association.

Upcoming Deadlines

2022 Rebate Applications Due By the Extended Deadline

of January 31, 2023

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) has extended the date on which marketers can submit rebate applications for 2022 qualifying appliance rebate purchases to January 31, 2022.

VISIT THE REBATE SITE

W-2s & 1099s Due By January 31, 2023, to Employees & Contractors

Employers must furnish W-2s to their employees by January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023, is also the deadline to supply Contractors and non-employees (1099-NEC)s.

Employers must ensure W-2s and 1099s are mailed on or before the due date.

Upcoming Events

Annual LPG Charity Fund Mixer

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Event Starts at 4:00 PM

Location: Patterson Park

2205 Patterson St Houston, TX 77007

The LPG Charity Fund would like to invite everyone in the LPG industry, from logistics to marketing, from IT to trading, from brokers to back-office support, to attend an evening of complimentary appetizers, great drink specials, and amazing raffle prizes to our annual mixer at Patterson Park in Houston.

The Annual LPG Charity Fund Afternoon Mixer has been organized to inform, educate and make everyone aware of the impact that the LPG industry has on the LPG Charity Fund's mission which is to assist members of the LPG and Gas Processing industry during times of catastrophic medical expenses and/or financial need.

Please RSVP to the event so that the group may be able to host an informative and fun evening for all attending.

RSVP at

https://lpgfund.com/index.php/event-calendar/awareness-mixer