PPGA News Brief

April 29, 2022

PPGA Membership Meeting at the Western

The PPGA will host a Membership Meeting during the 2022 Western Propane Convention and Trade Show in Reno, Nevada. The meeting will be Tuesday, May 10, 4:30pm – 5:30pm in Silver Baron B. All members are welcome and encouraged to participate. There is still time to register for the Western by clicking here.

PPGA offers employee training for those employed in the propane industry or looking to obtain propane training certification. Consider registering to send your employees to this valuable training starting in just two weeks!

To make training more accessible to everyone, classes are held in multiple locations.

May – Classes available in Salem, OR
June – Classes available in Lynden & Pasco, WA
July – Classes available in Bend, OR

Registration deadline is two weeks prior to the start of each class.

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West/Pacific Regional Town Hall Meeting

PERC is hosting the West/RM/Pacific region town hall meeting on Wednesday, May 25. The agenda includes:

Welcome & Introductions
What’s on your Mind? – Opportunities, Challenges, Priorities for Marketers or State
General PERC Update – Strategic Priorities, PR, Safety, Training, Environmental Messaging, Marketing Campaigns
Open Discussion: Impact of electrification in state and region, Deployment of funds for infrastructure bill, Role for renewable propane, Training needs

Complete the Annual Retail Sales Report

Today, every propane retailer was sent an email and a letter directing them to visit a secure portal on propane.com to complete their company’s report for 2021 retail sales. Submit your survey by May 31 to help ensure your state receives an accurate amount of state rebate funding from 20 percent of PERC’s annual revenues, and to see that your assessment dollars are used in the most efficient way to support market trends.

Individual responses are kept confidential and anonymous. Only summary statistics are presented in the final report, and data is never disclosed to third parties. The final report is shared on propane.com/salesreport and incorporated into the National and State Propane Profiles, showing market trends by state and region.

If you’re unsure which person at your company is responsible for submitting, please email us at salesreport@propane.com.

SBCC Bans Gas in New Commercial and Multi-Unit Housing

On April 22, the Washington State Building Code Council voted to require all-electric space heating in new commercial and multifamily construction. The initial proposal would have also required 100% electric water heating, but an amendment was added to drop the requirement to 50%. The rest can be heated by an additional source like electric resistance or gas.

This makes Washington the first state to incorporate building electrification mandates into statewide energy codes. The PPGA, along with nearly every business industry and a coalition of labor unions testified against this proposal. This proposal drives up costs on all Washingtonians. The PPGA also lead a member and consumer campaign against this proposal. Over 55 members submitted comments against this gas ban. Unfortunately, the SBCC, which is an unaccountable body, ignored the concerns of businesses and workers and voted in favor of the gas ban.

Unsurprisingly, the council also has begun the process of advancing proposals that would restrict fossil fuel use in new residential construction buildings. The PPGA will continue to fight these policies that are bad for Washington residents.

EPA to Approve Canola Oil for Renewable Propane Production

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its intention to approve adding canola oil among products that can be utilized to create renewable fuels. Through a hydrotreating process, canola oil can serve as the base to create renewable propane as well as renewable diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil. The United States Canola Association petitioned the EPA to add canola oil as a pathway to produce these renewable products under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

Through RFS, producers of renewable fuels can claim Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS), which are credits. Producers must meet a threshold of credits in different fuel production categories to demonstrate compliance with upstream production standards.

Ultimately, more fuel pathways approved to generate RINS may encourage more production of renewable propane by upstream producers. Also, the more fuels eligible for the production of renewable propane, the more possibilities for producers. Information about the RFS is available online here. Information about the EPA proposal to approve the inclusion of canola oil pathways is available online here.

Questions? Contact NPGA Vice President, Regulatory & Industry Affairs Sarah Reboli.

Plan now to join the Pacific and Western Propane Gas Associations for the PPGA & WPGA Summer Conference at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA. In addition to education sessions and membership meeting, the conference includes networking receptions and seaside banquet dinner as well as add-on activities including a golf outing and wine tasting.

Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate with your propane colleagues, registration is now open!

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Together, PPGA and WPGA are asking for your help to support this special event. We are offering a variety of sponsorship opportunities for you to showcase your company. Learn more...

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The information contained herein is provided as a service by the Pacific Propane Gas Association (PPGA) for the purpose of education, communication, and information and PPGA 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. PPGA disclaims any and all liability for injury and/or other damages which result to a user from the material offered or discussed herein.