In this edition of the Monday Morning Messenger, TPGA updates members on a recent meeting the association had with RRC leadership and planned changes at the Commission for 2022.
In the second story of the morning, TPGA shares the most recent issue of Texas Propane magazine, our last issue of 2021, the December issue, our Who's Who of Propane Organizations edition. Read now online.
Also, TPGA announces that it is membership renewal season and highlights at least one member perk, and will continue to spotlight the benefits of membership during the renewal season.
We end the morning with a two-part story on a recent waiver extension from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that applies to certain commercial driver license-related provisions.
Check out our Quick Links for our most recent Winter Weekly Update, PSC product spotlight on a custom item that can help your propane invoices stand out, as well as more information on the Texas Department of Public Safety December Saturday appointments and link to upcoming online Tier II training classes.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- RRC 2022 Changes
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December Texas Propane
- Membership Renewals
- CDL Waiver Extension
- CLP Waiver Extension
- Quick Links
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Calendar
December 13-31, 2021
December 13, 2021
December 15, 2021
December 16, 2021
December 24, 2021
TPGA & PSC Closed for
Christmas Eve
December 31, 2021
TPGA & PSC Closed in Observance of New Years
January 1, 2022
TPGA Member Renewals
Are Due
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TPGA Meets with RRC Representatives on Changes |
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Last week, the Texas Propane Gas Association met with the Director of Alternative Fuels Safety at the Railroad Commission (RRC), AFS Training Manager, and RRC attorneys to discuss the adoption of rules relating to legislation adopted in the 2021 Texas Legislative Session on training.
TPGA and RRC discussed draft rules that will provide some relief for the highest in demand class, 2.1 Dispenser Operations, by allowing DOT cylinder filler certification seekers to take PERC's Dispensing Propane Safely class once rules, form, and procedures are adopted.
In addition to discussing the training rule proposal, TPGA and RRC went over items that have been on both of our wishlists for some time now.
Here is a summary of some of the items discussed:
- Plans for an RRC portal for licensing, certification & compliance
- Removing unenforced Advanced Field Training (AFT) from rule
- Adding 6.1 Regulatory Compliance for Managers continuing education course
- Allowing by rule engineered breakaway devices and enhanced safety technologies at bulk storages.
- Making technical corrections and clarifications to rules, including clarifying the compliance deadline for the fire safety analysis, is September 1, 2022, for not just existing installations but also new installations.
This week, TPGA will be sharing a draft of RRC's informal planned proposals with the TPGA Technical & Standards (T & S) committee for their expert feedback and comments.
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December 2021
Texas Propane Magazine
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Check out the December 2021 Texas Propane magazine in print or online now.
The December issue looks at Who's Who of Organizations with a closer look at what NPGA and TPGA does and are currently doing for members.
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It's Membership Renewal Time:
Member Perk Spotlight: Waivers
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TPGA keeps members on top of waivers like the ones below through the winter & throughout the year. |
Membership renewals are in the process of being sent. We invite you all to renew. |
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Member renewals are due January 1, 2022. If you have questions about your renewal, please contact us at (800)325-7427.
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Compliance Relief for CDL Holders:
Medical Card Waiver Extended
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To ensure commercial drivers can continue to work, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended the compliance for medical certificates and federal variances (including Texas vision and limb waivers) until February 28, 2022. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) strongly recommends obtaining a valid medical certificate or federal variance as soon as possible to continue working once the waiver extension ends.
FMCSA indicates that will begin to wind down exemptions in the near future.
Active Medical Card Waiver
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Medical certificates or federal variances that expire between September 01, 2021, and February 28, 2022, will remain certified until February 28, 2022. On March 02, 2022, the license will become not certified, if an updated medical certificate or federal variance is not received. If a medical certificate or federal variance is not received within 60 days after the not certified status, a downgrade will occur.
Expired Medical Card Waivers
- Medical certificates or federal variances that were valid on February 29, 2020, and expired on or after March 1, 2020, but before February 28, 2021, are no longer covered by the federal waiver and have been downgraded.
- If your medical certificate expired on or after March 01, 2021, but before June 01, 2021, the waiver expired on August 31, 2021.
- Medical Certificates or federal variances that expire between June 02, 2021, and August 31, 2021, on December 01, 2021, the license became not certified, if an updated medical certificate or federal variance was not received. If a medical certificate or federal variance is not received within 60 days after the not certified status, a downgrade will occur.
Drivers who have an updated medical certificate may still submit it to the TX DPS by email at CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax at 512-424-2002.
Download the FMCSA waiver adopted
and recognized by the TX DPS below.
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Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP) Waiver Extension |
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In addition to waiver extension providing medical compliance relief, the above-linked waiver also covers provisions for commercial learner permits.
Waiting Period Waived
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to waive the requirement under 49 CFR 383.25(e) that commercial learner permit (CLP) holders must wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test.
The Texas Department of Public Safety recognizes the waiver extension but please note DPS has the discretion to prioritize testing for those drivers who have held the CLP for 14 days or longer.
CDL Third Party Skills Test providers may prioritize drivers who were already scheduled for testing or may waive the 14-day requirement, depending on their business needs.
This waiver extension expires on February 28, 2022.
Third-Party Testers
Effective April 9, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authorized the Department to allow CDL third-party skills test providers to conduct knowledge tests in addition to the skills tests. This allows a student or an employee of a CDL TPST provider to take knowledge tests from their school or employer to receive a commercial learner permit or an endorsement(s) on their CDL. Instructions have been provided to all CDL TPST providers, so you must contact a CDL TPST provider to begin the knowledge testing process.
This provision has been extended to February 28, 2022, as well.
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DECEMBER 8, 2021
WINTER FUELS WEEKLY
PRICE & SUPPLY UPDATE
NATIONAL, REGIONAL & STATE
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DID YOU KNOW THAT PROPANE SERVICE CORPORATION SELLS
CUSTOM DOORKNOB HANGERS WITH REMITTANCE ENVELOPES?
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CDL SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS
ADDED AT SELECT
LOCATIONS
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TEXAS TIER II TRAINING DATES
STILL REMAIN - CHECK OUT TRAINING AVAILABILITY
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