In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association wants to point out that the FMCSA has extended its waiver for propane until March 8, 2022, in case you missed last week's member alert.
With the extreme dip in temperatures, you may be getting calls from customers that are not yours. What do you do in that situation? TPGA again reminds our members when and when they can't fill another propane company's lease tank.
Also, today is the day that the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule takes effect. In this latest update on ELDT, TPGA provides you with more detailed instructions on accessing the FREE online training available and provides a link to more comprehensive information previously reported.
Speaking of commercial driver's licenses, did you know the Texas Department of Public Safety has a dedicated Help Desk to answer your CDL questions? Learn more in our 4th brief of the morning.
Roads are clear, and the TPGA staff are headed to College Station, TX, for our 1st Quarter 2022 TPGA Board & Committee Meetings. Get the latest information on the meetings this week and see the updated schedule below in our last story of the morning.
Additionally, check out our Quick Links section for access to the Winter Fuels Weekly Pricing & Supply Update, the PSC Store, the NPGA Scholarship Application (deadline is just a week away), and the Texas Appliance Rebate Program.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- Waiver Extension
- Tank Fill Law Reminder
- ELDT Update
- CDL Help Desk
- TPGA Meetings Update
- Quick Links
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Calendar
February 1 - April 30, 2022
February 7, 2022
February 7, 2022
February 7-28, 2022
February 8-9, 2022
February 10, 2022
February 10, 2022
February 15, 2022
February 21, 2022
TPGA & PSC office closed for
President’s Day
February 24, 2022
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Active Waiver: Waiver Extended |
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TPGA worked with NPGA to get the Texas propane industry hours relief. As a result, FMCSA extended its emergency declaration for propane transportation for 42 states including TEXAS until March 8, 2022. |
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Winter weather and freezing temperatures often leave some customers anxious to fill their tank by whatever means necessary.
TPGA wants to remind members of Chapter 2002 of the Business & Commerce code in the Texas law books that allow a propane company to fill tanks owned by another propane company only under certain conditions, such as if the propane provider (owner of that tank) is not available and it is an emergency.
A person who is not the owner of a liquefied petroleum gas container may fill or refill the container if the person who occupies the premises where the container is located:
(1)requests the service; and
(2)signs a written request stating that:
(A)an emergency exists; and
(B)the owner is unavailable to fill or refill the container, as applicable.
1, 2, A & B must be met to fill the tank.
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Entry-Level Driver Training
Goes in Effect Today
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Recent inclement weather has closed some Texas driver license offices; however, the Texas Department of Public Safety wants to report that Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) federal requirement has not been delayed as a result of these closures and the ELDT requirement goes into effect today, Monday, February 7, 2022.
Applicability
Specifically, who does the new training regulation apply to?
Entry-level CMV operators in interstate and intrastate commerce who are applying for one of the below on or after February 7, 2022:
• Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
• Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL
• Obtaining a hazardous materials (H) endorsement
Each state driver's license office must electronically verify with FMCSA that an abovementioned applicant completed the required ELDT training and certification process before administering a CDL skills test or prior to the knowledge test for an ‘H’ endorsement.
As a reminder: The ELDT regulations are not retroactive and do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022.
If an applicant who obtains a CLP prior to February 7, 2022, obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires, the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements.
Training Courses
FREE ELDT courses have already launched on PERC's online learning center. Instructions to access the free ELDT courses from PERC:
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Go to https://training.propane.com/ (register and login)
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Click on the rectangle labeled Safety & Training
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Then click on Entry-Level Driver Training
Once enrolled in the PERC ELDT courses, you will have access to downloadable forms to help ensure you meet all qualifications including Driver Applicant Qualification Form, Equipment Qualification Form, Facilities Qualification Form, Public Road Instruction Form, and Range Instruction Form.
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NPGA Compliance Program
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has launched its ACE compliance program today. NPGA can act as your Registered Training Provider. As an FMCSA Registered Training Provider, NPGA is authorized to submit all the required documents to FMSCA on your behalf should you choose to use their services. Using NPGA's ACE Services shields you from an FMCSA audit and guides your new drivers through the education and training requirements. For questions regarding NPGA's Ace Program, don't hesitate to get in touch with NPGA at 202-466-7200 or at eldt@npga.org.
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More information
Access our recent detailed ELDT story published last week to get more details and see how the process works.
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A driver or company may contact the Texas CDL Helpdesk administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s CDL Division regarding inquiries about the status of CDL & Hazmat endorsement applications and fingerprints.
Transportation companies are also recommended to inform their drivers to contact the CDL Helpdesk 3 business days after their driver has been fingerprinted so DPS can verify the status of the application with TSA. Once reached, the DPS’s CDL Analyst can review the TSA application and fingerprints to ensure there are no issues with the submission.
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TPGA is Heading to College Station This Week. Will You Join Us? |
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Join TPGA for our 1st Quarter TPGA Board and Related Committee meetings in College Station slated for February 8-9, 2022. TPGA will have a full schedule of meetings and a tour of the new Exosent facility.
Meeting Location & Host Hotel
The George Hotel
180 Century Court
College Station, TX 77840
Updated Schedule
February 8, 2022
9:00a – 10:45a T&S Committee
11:00a Meet in hotel lobby for transportation for Exosent tour
11:30a – 1:30p Tour Exosent site & lunch; or lunch on your own
1:45p – 2:30p Meeting Planning Committee
2:45p – 3:45p Membership Committee
4:00p – 5:00p Executive Committee
5:15p – 6:15p Finance Committee
7:00p Dinner – Porters Dining & Butcher
Sponsored by the City of College Station
February 9, 2022
9:00a – 11:00a TPGA Board of Directors
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022
WINTER FUELS WEEKLY
PRICE & SUPPLY UPDATE
NATIONAL, REGIONAL & STATE
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PROPANE SERVICE CORP (PSC)
OFFERS CUSTOM ITEMS, BUSINESS FORMS, DECALS, SIGNS & MORE
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FEBRUARY 15, 2022
IS THE DEADLINE
TO APPLY FOR
THE NPGA SCHOLARSHIP
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MARCH 1, 2022
IS THE EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR 2021 APPLIANCE PURCHASES
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