August 21, 2020
Introducing the PPGA Propane News Brief
In an effort to keep membership up to date with the latest news, the PPGA is implementing this bi-weekly e-newsletter. The publication, Propane News Brief, will feature the latest issues facing the propane industry in the Pacific Northwest and in Washington D.C. The Propane Post will continue to be published on a quarterly basis.
New Affinity Partners: Preferred Pricing for PPGA Members
The Pacific Propane Gas Association is proud to announce two New Affinity Program partners, Consumer Focus Marketing and P3 Propane Duty to Warn. PPGA members will be able to take advantage of special pricing on marketing services and P3's cost effective annual propane safety mailing program. In addition to discounted pricing for members this agreement will provide important non-dues revenue for the PPGA. Read more...
Register Now for Final Two "Preparing for Peak Demand" Webinars
Many propane industry members are facing unprecedented challenges this year in contracting for supply, and NPGA’s Propane Supply and Logistics Committee is hosting a series of webinars over the summer to educate the industry.

After hosting a webinar on July 21 that focused on upstream propane production and downstream logistics and another on August 13 featuring a roundtable of propane transportation leaders, the “Preparing for Peak Demand” webinars continue August 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern with a panel discussion with leaders in propane midstream operations, and conclude September 10 with a harvest and fundamentals update.

“Preparing for Peak Demand: Midstream Logistics Update” will include Tug Hanley, senior vice president of pipelines and terminals for Enterprise Products; John Powell, senior vice president of supply and logistics for Crestwood; David Herr, vice president for Blackline Marketing; and Bruce Leonard, vice president of NGL marketing at Targa Resources. The panelists will discuss how pipelines and railways are preparing for this winter, as well as how marketers can maximize accessing the pipelines and rail deliveries.

"Preparing for Peak Demand: Harvest and Fundamentals Update" will include Michael Caldarera, senior vice president of advocacy and technical services for the National Propane Gas Association; Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development for the Propane Education & Research Council; and Josh McCall, fundamental analytics director for BP North America Gas and Power. The panelists will present the latest crop information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while Michael Newland will share how propane marketers can use customer information, USDA data, and PERC’s new grain drying calculator to be ready for harvest. Finally, Josh McCall will provide updated fundamentals for propane as the industry enters the peak demand system.
PPGA Member Directory
The first annual PPGA Membership Directory is available on the PPGA website. Here's a few of the resources you'll find in this valuable publication:
  • Intrastate Marketer Members
  • Multistate Marketer Members
  • Associate Members
  • Members by Contact Name
  • Alaska Legislators
  • Hawaii Legislators
  • Oregon Legislators
  • Washington Legislators
Industry Efforts Seeking DOE Funding Rewarded
NPGA is very pleased to share a recent announcement by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) whereby six (6) projects focused specifically on propane are among those that have been awarded funding in the agency’s vehicle technologies research area. These six projects total over $9 million in research funding dedicated to the propane industry from DOE for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The Areas of Interest (AOI) under which these projects were awarded include:
  • AOI 05: Improved Efficiency of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Natural Gas and Propane (LPG) Engines
  • AOI 13: Alternative Fuel Proof-of-Concept in New Communities and Fleets
  • AOI 15: Technology Integration Open Topic

To view the propane projects within these areas of interest, click here.

This funding is a result of strong collaborative efforts between NPGA and PERC, who worked together on identifying the industry’s research needs, which ultimately enabled NPGA to share these priorities with the appropriate federal legislators.

The collaborative efforts between our two organizations have continued to yield positive results as the House Appropriations Committee recently approved all four of NPGA’s recent requests for FY 2021 appropriations funding in the Committee’s Energy & Water Appropriations bill. The industry requests included in the bill focused on vehicle engine technology, micro-CHP, micro-grids and renewable LPG. 

The Senate is currently focused solely on legislation related to COVID-19 relief, and it is unclear if it will pass a new Appropriations package before the end of this fiscal year (September 30) or if it will simply seek a continuing resolution. Nevertheless, the fact that we were able to secure report language for funding in four different areas of propane industry research in a Democratic-majority House of Representatives bodes well for future research opportunities.
The Pacific Propane Gas Association offers certified and non-certified employee training for those employed in the propane industry or looking to obtain propane training certification. Upcoming classes will be held in Burlington, Washington. Click here for more information.