November 9, 2020
In Brief
Good morning all. TPGA goes to Texas' highest court. Read more about why in our first story of the morning.

Today marks an important day for the Texas Legislative Session. Find out more in second story of today.

Also, this morning, the Texas Propane Gas Association gives you a preview of the jam-packed November 2020 Texas Propane magazine in mailboxes or read on the go virtually now.

Last month, TPGA partnered with NPGA to hold a Zoom call on their P.L.A.N. tool. This morning, TPGA recaps all the tool can do and how to access the tool.

Lastly, in case you missed our regulatory alert from last week, we just wanted to remind of some changes to the U.S. DOT Cylinder Requalification regulations as well as an interpretation letter from PHMSA to NPGA that provides some financial relief when it comes to having to purchase expensive CGA pamphlets.

Check out our lower Quick Links section to see how you can help our holiday scholarship auction, safety materials & the link to the latest winter weekly pricing and supply.
In this issue

  • In Brief
  • Texas Supreme Court
  • Legislative Session
  • How to Use P.L.A.N.
  • Cylinder Reg Changes
  • Quick Links
Calendar

November 10, 2020

November 10, 2020

November 13-30, 2020

November 18, 2020

November 19, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

December 1-28, 2020
Texas Propane Gas Association
Argues Case in
Texas Supreme Court
In 2011, the Texas Propane Gas Association successfully helped get HB 2663 passed by the Texas Legislature and adopted into Texas Law.

The state standardization law found in Texas Natural Resource Code 113.054 created uniformity regarding Texas propane rules and standards instead of a patchwork of local regulations by cities.

Some cities have chosen to ignore the law and in recent years, TPGA sued 16 cities, and 15 out of 16 cities settled except for Houston. TPGA has been battling the City of Houston for the last couple of years on this matter, and now the case has made it all the way to the Texas Supreme Court.

The justices heard from both TPGA and Houston on October 29, 2020, to see if Houston and local jurisdictions are within its rights to adopt its own local ordinances, permits, and fees.

TPGA is still awaiting word from the court on the ruling.
Texas Legislative Bill Filing
Starts Today
Although the Texas Legislative Session does not officially commence until January 2021, today marks the first day Texas lawmakers can start filing legislation.

Last session in 2019, the Texas Legislature
7,324 bills were filed
1,429 bills were passed

TPGA will continue to keep a very watchful eye on any attempts to change the state standardization law and TPGA will give periodic updates on flagged bills throughout the legislative session.
Thank you to our
Legislative Insider Club Members
The Legislative Insider's Club "name" is somewhat new, but it's purpose and funds are not. Club funds will go to our bi-annual legislative administrative expenses, TPGA joining like-minded legislative coalitions, legislative event sponsorships and other activities not related to direct candidate contributions.
CAPITOL CIRCLE
DOUG MACLAY
CAPITOL ADVOCATE
OMAR GARCIA
November Texas Propane
Magazine
  • Protect company information when employees switch companies
  • Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance 2020 Updates
  • 2020-21 EIA Winter Outlook
  • Driving During Deer Season
  • Propane School Bus Grants
  • Low Interest Disaster Loans
  • Changes to PERC Online Learning Center

Check your mailbox or read online now.
How to Use NPGA's Supply Point Tool & What Can It Do?
There was no centralized tool to help the industry make smart choices where to go to obtain product and maximize hours of service. So, NPGA made an app for that called Propane Logistics Analysis Network: PLAN.
You can use plan on a computer by visiting https://plan.npga.org/ or download the NPGAction app via the Apple store or Android store on your mobile device.

What can you use PLAN tool for?
•      Find terminal and supply points across the country including Texas (caverns, rail terminal, pipeline terminal, storage terminal and refineries).
•      View state and federal hours of service waivers
•      View or report wait times or “no wait” at locations from where you receive supply
•      View or report supply point closures (temporary or permanent)
•      Provide and/or edit terminal location information
•      Provide additional supply points.
•      Suggest removal of incorrect or private locations.

Contact plan@npga.org if you have any questions on how to use the app.
Reminder: Important DOT Cylinder Requalification Changes
In case you missed our Regulatory Alert last week, in 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) inadvertently changed the interval from 12 years to 10 years if companies choose to requalify by hydro testing. On October 30, 2020, PHMSA adopted a final rule to “officially” correct and return the cylinder requalification by hydrostatic testing to 12 years. The interval for external visual requalification will remain at 5 years.

NPGA secured clarification from the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that facilities performing visual cylinder requalification may utilize PERC Cylinder Requalification training materials instead of purchasing CGA Pamphlet C-6 or C-6.3 pamphlets.
Quick Links
"DONATE AN ITEM" FOR OUR
TPGA SCHOLARSHIP
HOLIDAY VIRTUAL AUCTION
DEADLINE NOVEMBER 20TH
NOVEMBER
IS CARBON MONOXIDE MONTH
STOCK UP ON THIS BROCHURE PROPANE SERVICE CORP
LOGIN FOR MEMBER PRICE

WINTER FUELS
SUPPLY & PRICE
WEEKLY UPDATE
PROPANE COUNCIL OF TEXAS
DUTY TO WARN PROGRAM
DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 4th