At the request of the CPA, Transport Canada has renewed Equivalency Certificate SH 11577 (Ren. 2). Equivalency Certificate SH 11577 (Ren. 1) is hereby revoked and superseded by the new certificate.
The certificate authorizes the one-way transportation by road of tanks that do not comply with Part 5 of the TDG Regulations. Tanks containing more than 5% capacity of UN1075, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES or PETROLEUM GASES, LIQUEFIED, Class 2.1 or UN1978, PROPANE, Class 2.1, are permitted to be transported to the nearest propane facility. Many of these tanks require servicing as part of the new CSA B51-14 requirements and cannot be safely emptied at customer locations. In SH 11577 (Ren.2), the maximum capacity of tanks that can be transported was increased from 466 L (123 USWG) to 1894 L (500 USWG).
|
At the request of the CPA, Transport Canada has issued Equivalency Certificate SH 11773.
The certificate authorizes the one-way transportation by road of cylinders that were manufactured after January 1, 1993 in accordance with a specification for cylinders set out in US DOT 49 CFR. DOT cylinders manufactured after January 1, 1993 are sometimes returned by consumers at propane refill centers, municipal waste disposal sites, or cylinder exchange sites. The TDG Regulations do not allow propane retailers to transport those cylinders back to their facility for disposal, recycling or other reclamation.
|
On April 7, the Government of Quebec unveiled its new energy policy: The 2030 Energy Policy - Energy in Quebec: A Source of Growth. The objectives of the policy are to move Quebec to a low-carbon economy; to highlight and promote Quebec’s energy resources; to promote responsible consumption; to take full advantage of Quebec’s energy efficiency potential; and stimulate technological innovation and social responsibility.
The policy also includes support for propane. The Government intends to support the conversion of vehicles to low carbon options, including propane, and to develop a pilot program that establishes multi-fuel stations (gasoline, biofuels, natural gas, propane, electricity, hydrogen) across Quebec by 2030.
|
On April 14, the Alberta Government announced Budget 2016, The Alberta Jobs Plan. The budget includes the Climate Leadership Plan (CLP), an economy-wide strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The CLP imposes a price on carbon emissions, implemented through a carbon levy that will act as the key tool to pay for a greener, more diversified economy. It will be included in the price of all fuels that produce GHG emissions when combusted. These include transportation and heating fuels such as diesel, gasoline, natural gas and propane.
In addition, the Petrochemical Diversification Program (PDP) will encourage investment in Alberta’s petrochemical industry and add value to Alberta’s energy products. The PDP includes up to $500 million in royalty credits for petrochemical projects, specifically methane and propane upgrading facilities.
|
On April 8, the Government of New Brunswick announced that a select committee of the legislative assembly is being established to develop a stronger New Brunswick response to climate change. The all-party committee is charged with consulting the public and interested stakeholders on options to strengthen New Brunswick’s response to climate change.
|
The Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) has agreed to allow a 10-year implementation period for compliance with the requirements of CSA B51-14 Table 5 Maximum Service Intervals for pressure relief devices, which states that a pressure vessel in LPG service governed by CSA B149.2 that is 2500 USWG or less shall have a maximum servicing interval of 25 years.
This 10-year compliance period was requested by the Canadian Propane Association. TSASK issued an information bulletin outlining the requirements and deadlines to achieve compliance with the CSA B51 code, which is available on The Grid.
|
The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) has waived the operating permit fee for tanks equal to or less than 500 USWG, regardless of purpose or use. For tanks over 500 USWG, that are used for residential purposes only, owners can apply for a waiver.
Regardless of whether the fee is waived or not, all owners of tanks in operation and pressurized above 15 psig are required to apply for an operating permit and provide their tank data to the BCSA. Information on operating permit requirements for propane pressure vessels is available on the BCSA website.
|
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) is currently accepting nominations for this year’s annual TSSA Safety Awards. The TSSA created its Safety Awards program in 2015 as a way to acknowledge those individuals and organizations who work in their regulated sectors and have made significant contributions to public safety in Ontario.
Nominations for this year's awards close June 1. Details are available on the TSSA website.
|
The 2016 CPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Rimrock Resort in Banff, Alberta. CPA members can view the AGM package, which includes the official AGM notice, agenda, board of directors nomination form and proxy vote form, by logging on to The Grid.
|
The 2016 CPA Leadership Summit is less than one month away and time is running out to register for the propane industry’s premier national event!
This year’s Leadership Summit is scheduled for May 16 to 18 at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta, and features an exciting line up of topics on the program, from exploring Canada’s new carbon policies to expanding social media presence. A fantastic spousal program is planned for those who aren't participating in the golf tournament, and there are still some great sponsorship opportunities available. To register, please visit the CPA website or contact CPA’s Manager of Events, Melissa Michaud at 613.683.2273.
|
CPA Executive Director Andrea Labelle and Senior Director, Public Affairs and Policy Allan Murphy met with a number of federal government officials during the month of April. On April 6, they met with senior policy advisors to James Carr, the Minister of Natural Resources, in Ottawa. The meeting focused on key items of shared importance to both the propane industry and the Government, including the alternative fuels market, auto propane, grants and incentives, and energy innovation.
On April 14, CPA staff also met with senior policy advisors to Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, to discuss the role propane can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The officials were introduced to propane’s many uses and successes across Canada and the United States.
|
 On April 14, a team of propane industry representatives met with New Brunswick’s Minister of Finance and Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure Roger Melanson to promote the benefits of auto propane.
CPA members Marc Blais (Gaz Propane Rainville) and Abbie Landry (Moncton Propane Services) were joined by Jean-Paul Belliveau (JP's Garage) and CPA Atlantic Regional Manager Jean-François Duguay in Dieppe for a meeting with the Minister to discuss propane’s many environmental advantages and the ways that propane can help reduce GHG emissions in New Brunswick.
|
The CPA is pleased to welcome Nicole Rutherford as the new Administrative Assistant for the Propane Training Institute in Calgary. Nicole will assume Sophie Leger’s role as she moves into the position of Office Manager. Nicole can be reached at nicolerutherford@propane.ca.
|
The CPA is sad to announce that Michael Gorman, Founder and President of Petro-Viron Inc, passed away suddenly in early February. Michael William Gorman had a life-long and proud history of working in petroleum equipment and related industries including propane. Michael used his good business sense and friendly nature to establish long-lasting relationships with many throughout the industry. While the company will carry on with his son Ryan at the helm, Michael’s good nature will be missed.
The CPA is also sad to report that SIS Propane Owner, David Hepper, passed away this March. David was the owner of SIS Propane which operates on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and has been in business since 1994.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to both the Hepper and Gorman families during this difficult time.
|
The Propane Training Institute (PTI) is launching its new 200-11 - Auto Propane Conversion and Inspection course on May 25 and 26 in Calgary. This comprehensive course was created in collaboration with dedicated industry members to reflect the new innovations in auto propane technology and equipment.
The launch of the course will take place in cooperation with Mutual Propane, National Energy Equipment and Maxquip. Students taking this course will include future PTI instructors, auto mechanics and staff from Alberta Municipal Affairs. In the coming months, PTI is rolling out this new course throughout Canada to establish it as the national training standard for modern auto propane conversions and inspections. For more information, contact Gerald Thompson, CPA's Senior Director, Learning & Development at geraldthompson@propane.ca or 403.543.6506.
|
 Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC) publishes a quarterly newsletter that includes updates on ERAC activities in both the LPG and Flammable Liquids divisions, upcoming events, and performance data.
If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email info@erac.org.
|
Compressed Gas Association Safety Seminar:
CPA Energized Magazine:
National Energy Board LPG Underground Inventory Report:
|
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. It also contains information on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures all related to the hazards of the material. MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material.
An MSDS for propane is available from a fuel supplier or the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) does not publish an MSDS because the CPA does not produce or supply propane.
|
Get involved and make your voice heard! The three national CPA committees and six regional committees always need volunteers.
|
|
| |
|
