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Having EPA regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act will result in damaging new regulations that endanger the U.S. economy, sponsors noted. “As the EPA moves closer and closer to issuing these regulations, I continue to believe that this command-and-control approach is our worst option for reducing the emissions blamed for climate change,” Sen. Murkowski said.

Ms. Murkowski, the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the disapproval resolution is necessary to avoid an “economic train wreck. Our bipartisan resolution deals with an incredibly important question: whether or not members of this body are comfortable with the actions EPA will take under its current interpretation of the Clean Air Act. I’m not comfortable with those actions, and neither are the senators who have already agreed to add their names to this effort.”

The Alaska senator added that “the Clean Air Act was written by Congress to regulate criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases, and its implementation remains subject to oversight and guidance from elected representatives. We should continue our work to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation, but in the meantime, we cannot turn a blind eye to EPA’s efforts to impose back-door climate regulations with no input from Congress.”

Sen. Murkowski said EPA regulation could force businesses to cut jobs or close their doors for good, as well as severely restrict domestic energy production, thereby increasing dependence on foreign supplies, which threatens national security. Such regulation would also make housing less affordable, and consumer goods more expensive, she added.

Upon introduction, a disapproval resolution is referred to the committee having jurisdiction, in this case the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If the committee does not favorably report the resolution, it may be discharged upon petition by 30 senators. Once a disapproval resolution is placed on the Senate calendar, it is then subject to expedited consideration on the Senate floor, and not subject to filibuster.

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Another change effective Jan. 1 affects new Wisconsin residents who apply for a CDL. Those convicted of a disqualifying offense in another state while residing outside Wisconsin, and where the other jurisdiction imposes a disqualification for that offense and the disqualification period has expired, Wisconsin will not impose a new disqualification as a result of that conviction.

In addition, administrative suspensions involving blood alcohol content in any vehicle will now be treated as a conviction. For Wisconsin CDL holders, disqualifications will be imposed for out-of-state administrative suspensions. Disqualifications for out-of-service orders also increase. A disqualification of two years will be imposed for two out-of-service violations, and a disqualification of three years will result for three or more out-of-service violations.

Disqualifications will be imposed for out-of-state violations, and forfeitures for operating while ordered out-of-service increase to $2500 for the first offense and $5000 for the second and subsequent offense within 10 years.

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TV Worldwide’s state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest dedicated Internet television studios in the U.S. Recognizing that travel budgets are tight in the ongoing tough economic times, the propane industry’s second summit will be Webcast live, enabling the event to be viewed live anywhere in the world. In addition, participants will be able to pick and choose what sessions to view, and all sessions will be recorded and archived.

For an upcoming event overview, registration information, agenda, and hotel and travel information, visit www.propaneenginefuelsummit.com.

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At its last meeting during the development of the 2011 edition of NFPA 58, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on LPG accepted a comment drafted to modify NPGA’s proposal for requiring cathodic protection on all underground tanks. The standard will require the cathodic protection system be designed to any one of five different standards published by the American Petroleum Institute, Underwriters Laboratories, or the National Association of Corrosion Engineers.

The standard will be published with the requirement that all cathodic protection systems be “monitored annually to verify the effectiveness of the system.” This annual requirement was passed despite objections by NPGA representatives on the technical committee. The task force is considering proposing a three-year period for monitoring a cathodic system. Information available, such as the requirements of the referenced standards and the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency, indicate that it may not be necessary to impose such a short inspection period for monitoring.

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Claims that will be challenged include statements implying significant health hazards associated with chemicals in propane, such as olefin, which is false, says NPGA. The association explains that the olefin in propane is propylene, and information provided through the Carcinogenic Potency Project at the University of California-Berkeley shows propylene is not a carcinogenic substance. In addition, the material safety data sheet for propylene lists it as non-carcinogenic.

The company also claims to sell HD-5 propane, which they guarantee is olefin-free. This is misleading because HD-5 propane is allowed to contain up to 5% propylene.

The association has made attempts to stop the misleading claims through state associations and state attorneys general, with mixed results. Executive committee members agreed that raising the issue formally with the Federal Trade Commission could yield better results.

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“We are very pleased to continue to expand our refined fuel distribution and energy services business in the northeastern United States as part of Superior’s growth strategy,” said Superior chairman and CEO Grant Billing. “The company’s operations in Upstate New York are an excellent strategic fit and are complementary to Superior’s Canadian propane distribution business, the Sunoco assets purchased on Sept. 30, 2009, and the Griffith Energy Services assets purchased on Dec. 11, 2009.”

In its announcement of the Griffith Holdings acquisition, Superior noted that the fueloil and propane distribution business “is highly fragmented” throughout the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. Superior said it intends to pursue additional acquisition and consolidation opportunities in the industry, enhance the propane and service offerings within its northeastern U.S. refined fuels distribution business, expand fueloil distribution at some of Superior’s propane locations, and offer its fixed-price energy services to its propane and fueloil customers.

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Land Line magazine and Transport Topics report drivers attending listening sessions in Arlington, Va. and Los Angeles backed the current rule that expanded driving time to 11 hours within a 14-hour work period before a mandated 10-hour rest period. Most were also in favor of retaining the 34-hour restart provision that allows drivers to reset their weekly driving allotments by taking an extended off-duty period.

However, drivers called for more flexibility in splitting their 10-hour off-duty period in a sleeper berth into two periods. The current rule stipulates that if a driver splits the mandatory 10-hour break, one period must be at least eight hours long. They also drew attention to unpredictable loading and unloading times that eat into their hours.

“Far and away the most significant unpredictable and uncompensated activity that impacts most drivers’ days is waiting to load or unload their vehicles,” said Rod Nofziger, director of government affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. His solution—give truckers more flexibility within the hours of service regulations and be paid for all work, not just driving.

FMCSA is in the process of taking the hours-of-service rule through yet another rulemaking process after settling a lawsuit that challenged the existing rule.

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The contingency funds are in addition to basic LIHEAP funding states receive automatically. HHS released $2.6 billion in October and $1.2 billion Jan. 12 in regular block grants. The $490 million released Jan. 25 is from a $590-million LIHEAP contingency fund, leaving $100 million available for unanticipated events in the contingency fund.

“During these tight economic times, states and communities across the country have seen increased demand on key services, such as energy assistance for low-income families,” said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “And the record cold snap in places that traditionally don’t see weather as cold as it has been this year has put even more pressure on families in these states. The energy subsidies we are releasing today will help more families afford heat and avert difficult choices too many Americans face between paying for heat and paying for other essentials like food and medicine.”

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating, cooling, and other energy costs, as well as helping to weatherize homes. More than six million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

In total, Congress appropriated $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in fiscal 2010. “We have made a decision to release a substantial portion of available funding now to help children, seniors, and families struggling to make ends meet,” said Carmen R. Nazario, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. “At a time when unemployment is unacceptably high, this assistance can provide a real helping hand to families hardest hit by the recession.”

For a complete list of state allocations of funds released Jan. 25, visit http://www.hhs.gov/children/liheap2010.html/.

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“In addition to ThompsonGas using the facility to serve its customers in the region, we are also allowing other propane marketers to use the terminal to deliver their own propane or other natural gas liquids,” said Randy Thompson, president and CEO. “This way the whole market benefits from the use of this strategic propane supply point.”

Marketers or propane suppliers can discuss the use of the rail facility by contacting Mark Zimora, executive vice president of operations, at 301/432-3988.

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