Tell the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Include Propane Buses in Future Infrastructure Investments |
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We need your help! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing its education and outreach plan for the new clean school bus program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and we need to ensure propane is included within the plan. Tell the U.S. EPA how important propane school buses are to your community!
It’s simple: click on THIS LINK, fill in your contact information, and a pre-written letter will appear. If you want, include information about how propane school buses have helped your local school district. Then hit “Send Email,” and you’re done! Once you’ve sent your letter, be sure to share the link with your co-workers, friends, and family – we need as many letters supporting propane as possible.
NPGA is working with the Propane Education & Research Council and state and regional propane associations on this effort, encouraging transportation providers and existing propane customers to also send letters of support. NPGA and PERC have already weighed in with EPA, and the state/regional associations are submitting comment letters highlighting propane’s environmental and economic benefits for school bus fleets.
Additionally, we would encourage you to share this information with your school transportation customers and ask them to submit comments as well. For your convenience, please direct them to BetterOurBuses.com, this link will assist them with their submission.
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by Meteorologist John Bagioni, Fax-Alert Weather Service, LLC
This winter, February will be the overall toughest forecasting call given several opposing features. When you go back and assess how the winter forecast has played out and trended to date, the following is apparent:
- The first significant cold period was predicted back in October and November to occur during the mid-December to mid-January period.
- As we moved into early December, I shifted the starting time for the transition to about December 20th.
- Well, when all was said and done, there were small pattern shifts during the December 20-31 period, but the full transition did not take place until early January.
- The cold pattern for January has been impressive overall on a national scale. Right now, January 2022 appears likely to finish as the coldest January in the past 8 years.
Meteorologist John Bagioni | FAX-ALERT WEATHER SERVICE, LLC
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Advertise with IPGA in 2022! |
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IPGA is now accepting ad placements for the 2022 advertising year in its newsletter, Propane Express and its annual member directory. Advertising with IPGA is an easy, valuable and cost-effective way to get your service/product in front of the entire Indiana propane industry.
Propane Express mailed semi-annually to all independent and multistate marketers in Indiana as well as all associate, individual and honorary members of the association. The publication reaches the desks of over 200 propane professionals throughout the state of Indiana with a total circulation of over 600. A publication archive is also posted on the IPGA website.
The membership directory is mailed annually each summer and includes a list of all IPGA members, board members, legislators and more.
Tap into this highly engaged market today!
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OSHA's Vaccine Mandate: Now What? |
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Litigation and rulemaking continue on the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) following the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a stay last week on the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for vaccination or testing and face covering policies for all companies with 100 or more employees.
By a decision of 6 to 3, the Court determined that the ETS by OSHA is outside the limits of the agency’s power as authorized by Congress. NPGA’s counsel, representing NPGA and several other associations in a litigation coalition, was one of only two litigants granted review by the Supreme Court; the other litigant being a collection of state attorney generals.
The Supreme Court’s decision also sent the litigation back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. There, NPGA’s counsel will argue against the merits of the ETS. Meanwhile, the agency’s rulemaking process continues with NPGA advocating against the terms of the ETS to OSHA. Where does this leave employers and employees? While OSHA is prevented from enforcing the ETS, there are a few scenarios that could happen next in light of the stay:
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OSHA withdraws the ETS rulemaking and files to dismiss the case. This would be the quickest end to the ETS. OSHA would still retain the ability to publish a new proposal through the normal rulemaking process rather than the unique, accelerated schedule of the ETS.
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OSHA allows the ETS to expire and files to dismiss the case. The ETS expires on May 5th unless finalized through the rulemaking process. OSHA could allow the expiration date to naturally terminate the ETS and use the expiration of the ETS as a reason to end the litigation.
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OSHA proceeds with the rulemaking and files to dismiss the case. OSHA could review comments to the ETS through the rulemaking process, and propose a new rule based on the comments submitted. A new proposal would follow a normal rulemaking process, not the accelerated schedule of the ETS.
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OSHA proceeds with the rulemaking and the case. OSHA could request that the Sixth Circuit expedite the case schedule while simultaneously reviewing comments submitted through the rulemaking process. This is a very ambitious option for the agency to move through litigation and rulemaking before the ETS expires on May 5th; lightening fast speed for a federal agency and the court system.
To prepare for the most difficult scenarios, NPGA’s counsel is shifting focus to argue against the merits of the ETS before the Sixth Circuit. NPGA will continue to advocate for our members through the OSHA rulemaking on the ETS and provide guidance materials for the ETS, if the compliance deadlines are enforced. Material available on the Member Dashboard includes guidance and templates to develop ETS policies as well as guidance and FAQs on the primary requirements of vaccination executive orders for federal contractors and subcontractors. The heart of the NPGA’s advocacy is not premised on the value or efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, but rather the recognition that our members have taken extraordinary measures to protect our employees, customers, and communities during the pandemic and the immediate irreparable harm of losing employees, incurring substantial compliance costs, and worsening already fragile supply chains and labor markets.
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Propane Presents: Featuring Entry Level Driver Training 2.0 |
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January 27, 2022 | 2:00 PM EST
Join us for the Propane Presents series to learn about how PERC and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) are working together to assist the industry with the new ELDT federally mandated training requirements. PERC’s Vice President of Safety and Training, Eric Kuster, and NPGA’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Sarah Reboli, will discuss the basic components of the new rules and walk through a step-by-step demonstration on how to access the tools and programming that will help your company meet these new regulations head on.
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Comply with Entry Level Driver Training Using NPGA's ACE Service |
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As of February 7, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all new CDL- and HME-applicants and anyone looking to upgrade their CDL to successfully complete classroom and behind-the-wheel training before applicants are eligible to sit for state CDL or HME exams. This new Entry Level Driver Training requirement applies to all potential commercial drivers.
Worried how your company will comply? The National Propane Gas Association can help! NPGA is launching the Administrative Compliance Experts (ACE) service to complete the regulatory requirements, filing paperwork, and submitting information to the FMCSA. While you focus on your day-to-day business, NPGA’s ACE navigates the regulatory red tape. Through ACE, the more than 30 steps mandated by ELDT can become just five simple steps with NPGA guiding you from start to finish.
The new ELDT regulation requires behind the wheel and classroom training before an individual can apply for a CDL. Specific documentation requirements, equipment and training minimums, instructor requirements, and more must meet FMCSA’s regulations. NPGA will navigate the regulatory pathways and manage compliance records while you focus on getting your driver up to speed. You enable drivers to learn at their own pace and see their skills develop; let NPGA maneuver through the regulatory burdens.
ACE is designed to assist your company by reviewing regulatory compliance and serving as your Registered Training Provider, including submitting drivers’ materials to FMCSA. Using NPGA’s ACE as your company’s Registered Training Provider shields you from FMCSA audit and ushers your new drivers through the education and training requirements.
For additional information on ACE, including frequently asked questions, fee structures, and a sample of the educational modules, visit npga.org/ace. Questions? Contact Twana Aiken, NPGA’s Manager of Regulatory Affairs, at eldt@npga.org.
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NPGA Southeaster Convention & International Propane Expo |
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The NPGA Southeastern Convention & Interntational Propane Expo will be held April 24-26 in Nashville, Tennessee. This event is NPGA's largest event, bringing together marketers and suppliers from across the United States and beyond. This year's event will feature keynote speaker Jimmy Yeary. Visit www.npgaexpo.com for more information.
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NPGF Scholarship Opportunity |
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The National Propane Gas Foundation Scholarship Fund (NPGF/SF) is excited to kick off the 2022 scholarship program last month. Children of employees of NPGA member companies, state propane associations, or PERC are eligible to apply and may be pursuing any course of study at two- and four-year colleges or technical, trade, or vocational schools. Students pursuing propane-related careers especially are encouraged to apply.
Every year, the NPGF/SF awards $1,000 and $2,000 scholarships to 100+ students. Since 1994, the NPGF Scholarship Fund has awarded more than two million dollars to 1400+ children of NPGA member company employees! This year, NPGF has even more scholarships to award, thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies in the propane industry.
Learn more about this opportunity on NPGA’s website including important FAQs, the 2021 scholarship recipients, and the generous donors who make this program possible. Apply here by February 15.
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President's Council Members |
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The information contained herein is provided as a service by the Indiana Propane Gas Association (IPGA) for the purpose of education, communication, and information and IPGA accepts no liability relative to the contents, accuracy or use of these services. Nothing in this publication is intended to be construed as legal advice. The user is strictly cautioned to seek legal assistance when attempting to determine any legal rights, responsibilities and procedures with respect to business affairs, coding, or other legal aspects of operating a propane company. IPGA disclaims any and all liability for injury and/or other damages which result to a user from the material offered or discussed herein. |
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