November 22, 2021
In Brief
In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, TPGA highlights landmark infrastructure bill and what it means for Texas, propane as well as the trucking industry.

Secondly, TPGA provides you access to the archived webinar hosted last week by PERC on the Entry-Level Driver mandate. The webinar did not only cover the upcoming ELDT training but also took a deep dive into their other trainings as well as their online training center and how to use it.

Also, 2021 is coming to a close soon. TPGA highlights what ProCOT programs you can take advantage by the end of the year.

Additionally, in our last story of the morning, TPGA provides members with another update on the OSHA vaccine mandate.

TPGA also gives Messenger readers a sneak peek of upcoming stories you may expect to read before the end of the year.

Don't forget to check out our Quick Links section of the Messenger for access to the latest Winter Weekly Price & Supply Update, PSC product spotlight, an expiring waiver, and an important safety program you don't want to miss out on.
thanksgiving_turkey_2.jpg
In closing, we want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
In this issue

  • In Brief
  • Propane Highlights in Infrastructure Bill
  • ELDT & Other Trainings
  • ProCOT Deadlines
  • OSHA Suspends Vaccine Mandate
  • Quick Links
Calendar

November 22, 2021

November 25-26, 2021
TPGA & PSC Closed for
Thanksgiving

November 27, 2021
 
November 30, 2021

December 1, 2021

December 1-22, 2021

December 3, 2021

December 5-9, 2021
Infrastructure Bill: What Does It Mean for the Propane Industry?
Last week, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act into law.

"The White House estimates that Texas will receive about $35.44 billion over five years for roads, bridges, ports, drinking water infrastructure, broadband access, and other projects after federal lawmakers passed a long-anticipated national infrastructure bill," reports the Texas Tribune.

Not only that but the bill has over $7 billion dollars that qualify for propane initiatives. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) worked diligently over the past three years urging Congress to include funding for propane in this comprehensive infrastructure package. The

Highlights of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act include:
o  Access to $2.5 billion in grant funding for propane refueling infrastructure along the national highway system.
·        Clean School Bus Program
o  Access to $2.5 billion in grant funding for propane school buses
o  Access to $1.6 billion in grant funding for propane low-emission transit vehicles.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act also includes many other beneficial provisions for the propane industry, including federal funding for emissions reductions at port facilities, propane-powered ferries as well as workforce development. 
Additional provisions
Additionally, there were trucking issues tackled in the bill including:
  • FMCSA must submit to Congress a report analyzing the cost and effectiveness of electronic logging devices (ELDs).
  • The establishment of the Truck Leasing Task Force to review predatory lease-purchase agreements.
  • No later than 2 years, the federal government must adopt a federal regulation that requires CMV's to be equipped with automatic emergency braking systems.
  • Adding small-business truckers to the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee
  • Establishment of the Women of Trucking Advisory Board to recruit, train, retain, or advance women in the trucking industry.
ELDT Compliance Webinar Available On-Demand
& Other On-Demand Trainings
Did you miss the webinar that the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) hosted last week on the upcoming Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements?

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is set to go into effect on February 7, 2022. Think of it like this, "It's like driver's ed but CDL drivers, "PERC's Vice President of Safety & Training Eric Kuster described during a PERC ELDT webinar last week.

The webinar covered
  • What will be required
  • Reviews the compliance process
  • It touches on NPGA's compliance & recordkeeping service
  • PERC on-demand ELDT training that will be available in the future
  • Other training available from PERC as well as upcoming training
  • And a deep dive into PERC's Online Learning Center

Well, you're in luck; we have recorded copy for you that you can play at any time at your own leisure to learn how to access ELDT training provided by PERC and what role NPGA will play in the ELDT compliance process.

Access the ELDT on-demand now!
ProCOT Announces Last Chance
for 2021 Programs
PERC's state counterpart, the Propane Council of Texas published a newsletter last week reminding everyone of 2021 program deadlines as well as turkey frying safety in time for Thanksgiving.

In case you missed it, read the newsletter now.
OSHA Suspends Vaccine Mandate
On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to stay OSHA's COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, published on November 5, 2021.

The court ordered that OSHA "take no steps to implement or enforce" the ETS "until further court order."

While OSHA remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies, OSHA has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS pending future developments in the litigation.

TPGA will keep members update to date if anything changes on this front.
Upcoming Stories
Over the next month as we close out 2021, TPGA will cover:
  • Upcoming changes to the Texas Energy Assistance Program
  • 3G sunset what does it mean specifically to the propane industry
  • & More ELDT updates as the compliance date draws near
  • Build Back Better Act Federal Legislation Pending Adoption
Quick Links
NOVEMBER 17, 2021
WINTER FUELS WEEKLY
PRICE & SUPPLY UPDATE
NATIONAL, REGIONAL & STATE
DO YOU HAVE THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK IN YOUR HAZMAT VEHICLES?
REMINDER!
CDL MEDICAL CARD
WAIVER IS EXPIRING
NOVEMBER 30, 2021
THERE IS ONLY A MONTH LEFT
TO SIGNUP FOR DUTY TO WARN IF YOU WANT IT TO GO OUT IN 2021. THE DEADLINE IS DEC 3RD