IPGA is hosting a fall board and membership meeting on Wednesday, November 15 at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. Click here to RSVP.

Agenda

11:30am – 12:00pm      Committee Meetings

12:00pm – 12:30m        Lunch

12:30pm – 2:00pm        Board & Membership Meeting

PERC invites propane marketers to apply for its second cohort of Leadership in Energy Ambassadors in 2024. We are looking to identify individuals across the country to join the 44 energy ambassadors that were inducted into the program in 2023 and play a key role in telling propane’s story. This educational program provides critical content, competency development, and tools to inspire our industry members to become ambassadors for our energy in the national energy conversation. The select group of individuals who will be accepted into this program must seek nomination from their Company CEO or owner, agree to pre-and post-meeting work, and be enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage with their communities and other industry colleagues.

Applications are now open until December 1, apply here.

While this type of legislation has a practically zero change of being considered in the Indiana General Assembly it is worth noting that the extreme policy proposals usually reserved for the west coast and the New England states have now made it to Indiana’s neighbor to the north.  

Yesterday, the Michigan State Senate moved forward with its plans for Michigan to be a 100 percent clean energy state by 2040. At a high level, the changes are primarily aimed at cleaner energy goals through mandates on utility energy providers.   

Under the package that was adopted yesterday, Michigan will:  

• Become 100% clean energy by 2040 while grandfathering in existing biomass energy, nuclear, and methane digesters and having electric utilities move away from natural gas sourced electricity (SB 271)  
• Sets lofty energy waste reduction plans on electric utilities while also incentivizing gas (natural gas and propane) customers to replace their gas appliances with electric appliances (SB 273)  
• Requires the MPSC to consider environmental justice, human health impacts, greenhouse gas reduction and sulfur oxide emissions when approving a utility company's proposed plans (SB 502)  
• Creates a worker transition plan for those working in the fossil fuel industries to find new work (SB 519)  



The IPGA wanted to flag this bill package and note it was passed during the same week representatives of the IPGA attended a House Republican event in which House leadership outlined a policy path forward that will continue to invest in small businesses, less regulation, and more investment in critical areas like health care and education. 

NPGA has established a Legal Action Fund to proactively combat illegal governmental overreach that seeks to eliminate energy choice. Recent and ongoing legal battles threatening the survival of the propane industry compelled the NPGA Executive Committee to devote significant, long-term resources to this fight. 

The new Legal Action Fund will provide financial resources to use the court system to challenge illegal anti-energy choice laws, regulations, and policies at the federal, state, and local level. Recognizing the magnitude of the challenges the industry faces, NPGA is committing $1 million to launch these efforts now. NPGA will seek in the coming years to expand the pool to $2.5 million.



A 5-member Legal Action Committee—chaired by Tom Manson of Eastern Propane & Oil—will provide oversight to the Fund. The Committee will review formal requests for financial assistance for litigation or other legal action. NPGA General Counsel Ben Nussdorf will serve as staff advisor to the Legal Action Committee. 

This summer, Enbridge hosted reporters from WDIV TV 4 (NBC Detroit) at the Straits of Mackinac for a tour and set of interviews about the Enbridge plans for removing Line 5 to the Great Lakes Tunnel once the Tunnel is built. Enbridge also shared the role of its Straits Maritime Operations Center for ensuring safe passage of ships through the area of the pipeline and other utility infrastructure. 

The goal was simple: be accessible, transparent, and open about the Enbridge approach and commitment to protecting the Great Lakes as Enbridge continues to operate and transport the fuels Indiana and the region depend upon, like the natural gas liquids that are refined into propane. Enbridge has a perspective that is not contrary to the piece or the concerns and issues raised, but that Enbridge believes it adds to the community of people who care deeply about the Great Lakes, its environment, communities, and future as a great place to live. The IPGA shares these same concerns.

While some of the issues and concerns raised in the interview may be difficult for our friends at Enbridge to hear, we recognize that there is a priority given to protecting the Great Lakes, its coastal communities, and the source of drinking water for millions of people throughout the region in both the US and Canada. 

Replacing the existing pipelines crossing the Straits with a new pipeline contained in the Great Lakes Tunnel is important for the protection of the Great Lakes and for maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of energy to the region. Getting the Great Lakes Tunnel permitted, built and into operation with Line 5 tucked inside it is our shared priority. Enbridge is pushing forward with the project and every aspect of it while permitting agencies complete their work. Enbridge plans to be ready when the permits are ready. 

Some 70-plus years ago, wise people believed that protecting the environment was a priority. They determined that what's now called the Line 5 pipeline was a superior alternative to Great Lakes-going barges or over the road trucks or rail cars to move oil to the economic and population centers of the Great Lakes region. 

Today, protecting the Great Lakes and the communities of the region is still a top priority. Time, technology, lessons-learned (often the hard way), and new visions for the future of the region tell us there is again a better way. That's why Enbridge remains focused on getting the Great Lakes Tunnel built and Line 5 at the Straits removed from the waters of the Straits and operating safely and securely inside the tunnel. That’s why the IPGA continues to support the Tunnel project as well. 

Enbridge encourages its fellow IPGA members to watch. You can stream the coverage on www.wdiv.com. Enbridge welcomes your reactions, questions, and input.

You are receiving this information as part of your relationship with the IPGA. E-blasts may include member updates, bi-weekly newsletters, invitations to conferences, membership meetings, seminars, and special events/promotions. If you choose to unsubscribe, please note that you will no longer receive any email correspondence from the IPGA.

Indiana Propane Gas Association

317.655.4444