TPGA Monday Morning Messenger December 6 2021

December 6, 2021

In Brief

In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, for the first story of the morning, we update you on a new rule proposal.

Check out the second story of the morning to find out which Texas city just got rid of their 30-year propane ordinance and about how you can take action on city ordinances.

Thirdly, a national publication recently highlighted a lot about tank assets. TPGA links to this insightful issue with several briefs on tanks.

Lastly, the Propane Council of Texas is wrapping up their 2021 Texas Saves Propane Appliance Rebate Program, but there is still a chance to get your applications in before the year.In the last story, find our holiday flyer that you can share with your customers.

Check out our Quick Links for our most recent Winter Weekly Update, find fast access to Propane Service Corp, your one-stop compliance resource center, check out our most recent regulatory alert on CDL Saturday Appointments, and find quick access to the scholarship page where members of the industry can donate and support the TPGA Scholarship Program.

In this issue

In Brief
TDLR
Propane Ordinances
Tank Insights
Appliance Rebates
Quick Links

Calendar

December 10, 2021

Deadline to advertise

in January 2021 magazine

December 13, 2021

North Texas Clean Diesel Project 2021 Call for Projects Workshop

December 15, 2021

NPGA Scholarship

Round Opens

December 16, 2021

State of Building Energy Codes in the U.S. Webinar

December 24, 2021

TPGA & PSC Closed for

Christmas Eve

December 31, 2021

TPGA & PSC Closed in Observance of New Years

MORE DATES

TDLR Formally Files Rules

to Exempt LPG Motor Fuel Meters

As you might remember, during the 86th Regular Session, Texas SB 2119 transferred the motor fuel metering and quality program from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

LPG meter and scale regulation were to remain at the Texas Department of Agriculture.

However, TDLR also began regulating propane autogas motor fuel meters with that transition, not realizing that these meters were already being regulated by the TDA as most meters are multi-purpose and rarely dedicated to one use, e.g., solely "public" motor fuel sales.

Since TDLR's motor fuel regulation took effect, TPGA has been working with TDLR on a resolution, and this Fall, TDLR recognized they would no longer regulate LPG motor fuel meters.

Although TDLR stopped accepting new and renewal license applications for the LPG motor fuel meters on September 17, 2021, we are now one step closer to it being officially on the books. Last month, TDLR finally filed a rule proposal to overturn the LPG motor fuel meter regulations.

Once the rules are officially adopted, the TDA will now remain the sole regulator of LPG meter and scale commodity measurement compliance.

READ RULE PROPOSAL

City Repeals 30 Year

Propane Ordinance

Olney, a small West Texas town that sits just 45 miles south of Wichita Falls just repealed a propane ordinance that had been on books for three decades.

"In a recent City Council meeting, members voted to repeal the 30-year Ordinance No. 89-21, which did not allow residents within the city limits to store propane and butane tanks above ground," the Olney Enterprise newspaper reported.

The town with a population a little over 3,000 repealed the ordinance in light of last year's brutal winter storms hoping this repeal will assist its residents in more heating options.

As a reminder, in Texas, cities and political subdivisions can have an ordinance that conflicts with Railroad Commission rules and standards. So, if the RRC does not prohibit aboveground propane tanks, then a city cannot unless they petition the Commission otherwise.

It is our understanding that NO city has been successful in garnering an exception to the rules since the adoption of HB 2663 in 2011.

There are over 1,200 cities in Texas each with varying ordinances, making it hard to track all over their little nuances. So, if you are experiencing an issue with a city prohibiting propane or aboveground propane tanks that meet Railroad Commission rules, then notify the Texas Propane Gas Association so we can track, look into it further and help you to educate the city on the state standardization law.

FACT SHEET

STATE STANDARDIZATION LAW

Tank Insights

Rarely do we feature the entire issue of a magazine that isn't ours in our newsletter, but the November issue of LP Gas magazine is packed with some valuable tank insights throughout the publication that we thought we'd share.