On June 13, the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) issued a press release calling for the B.C. government to look beyond Electric Vehicles (EVs) and consider low-emission auto propane in its strategy to reduce automotive GHG emissions.
The CPA's B.C. Committee Chair Kevin O'Donnell stated support for the government's actions on fighting climate change, but explained that there is much more that can be achieved if the government looks beyond EVs and seriously considers the expanded use of auto propane. "There are ongoing questions about affordability and practicality in relation to EVs," said O'Donnell. "If we are going to be serious about an immediate, affordable and comprehensive plan to reduce GHGs in the transportation sector, equal consideration must be given to auto propane, which has significant environmental and economic advantages over gas, diesel and other alternative transportation fuels."
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On June 8, the Ontario Government released its Climate Change Action Plan (2016-2020). While there will be numerous challenges presented by the province’s evolving energy landscape, the plan provides valuable opportunities for the propane industry to play an important role in Ontario’s proposed move to a low-carbon economy.
The CPA issued a press release in response to the Climate Change Action Plan, in which Andrea Labelle, CPA Executive Director said, "We believe that propane is an important element in Ontario’s low-carbon future. Propane is a cost-effective, low-emission source of energy that supports the livelihood of thousands of Ontarians and generates billions of dollars for the local economy. The Canadian Propane Association and its members look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario Government to provide access to clean, efficient and affordable energy for consumers."
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On May 26, the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) issued a press release in response to the Ontario Government’s announcement that they will spend up to $100 million to support the introduction of renewable natural gas. The CPA believes that supporting renewable natural gas without considering more affordable energy solutions, such as low-emission propane, is a missed opportunity.
CPA Executive Director Andrea Labelle stated, "Investing in narrowly focused, and costly long-term solutions associated with natural gas without actively considering the advantages of affordable and clean-burning propane is not an effective approach. In fact, such a policy could result in government picking winners and losers as opposed to looking for the best approaches to combatting climate change."
She added, "Including propane in the development of climate change policy will immediately provide support to rural energy businesses and create employment growth. It will also ensure that communities, especially in rural and remote areas, become full beneficiaries of a truly comprehensive Climate Change Plan while having access to competitively-priced energy options".
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At the request of the CPA, Transport Canada has renewed Equivalency Certificate SH 11577 (Ren. 3). Therefore, Equivalency Certificate SH 11577 (Ren. 2) is hereby revoked and superseded by the new certificate. A number of its conditions have been modified, but the main changes include:
Condition (c) was amended: the tank, which was intended for permanent installation on consumer premises, must be transported one-way only from the consumer’s premises to the tank owner’s nearest facility using the shortest most practical route and Transportation of Dangerous Goods routes, where applicable.
Condition (e) was amended: the total capacity of all the tanks transported on the means of transport under the conditions of this Equivalency Certificate must not exceed 1 894 L (500 USWG).
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On June 1, CPA Executive Director Andrea Labelle and Ontario Regional Manager & Director of Marketing Peter Maddox were joined by propane industry members for a meeting with Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca and Ministry staff. The discussion focused on the environmental and economic advantages of auto propane, and the opportunities that auto propane provides for public and private fleets.
The push for low-emission vehicles in Ontario provides an excellent chance for the propane industry to grow its transportation market in the province, and this meeting was a great early step in ensuring that the government includes propane in the discussion and future solutions.
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On May 30 and May 31, the CPA held meetings in Charlottetown with the Hon. Paula Biggar, PEI Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, and senior officials from the government of Prince Edward Island. Attending the meetings from the CPA were Allan Murphy, Senior Director, Public Affairs & Policy and Jean-François Duguay, Regional Manager, Atlantic & Quebec. They were joined by CPA member Charles Duffy of Kenmac Energy.
The meetings focused on briefing Minister Biggar and her officials about the benefits of propane in a wide variety of applications. The PEI government is currently developing its energy strategy and the CPA plans to continue discussions throughout the process.
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On June 1, 2016, Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Reporting Requirements) were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette. The main objectives of these regulations are to:
Require the reporting of releases and anticipated releases of dangerous goods to the appropriate local authorities to assist them in responding to incidents that endanger or could endanger public safety.
Require new security provisions related to the reporting of dangerous goods that have been lost, stolen or unlawfully interfered with, and to require the reporting of undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods transported by aircraft.
Modify and clarify the reporting requirements to enable the efficient collection of data. Report data will be used to conduct risk analyses and to help maintain public safety during the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport.
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Proposed Marine Liability and Information Return Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on June 11, 2016.
The objective of the proposed regulatory amendments is to set out the reporting requirements for bulk HNS received in Canada, as provided for in the Marine Liability Act. This includes setting out the thresholds for reporting, what information is to be reported, when reporting must be done and, where necessary, to which government authority reports are to be submitted. The objective of the proposed Regulations was also to reorganize and clarify certain parts of the existing Marine Liability Regulations to facilitate understanding and ensure consistency with the proposed reporting requirements under the Convention.
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The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) is seeking feedback until July 31 on a proposed 1.8% increase to Alternative Safety Approaches fees, to be effective January 1, 2017. Visit the BCSA website to review the consultation material and provide feedback.
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On June 15 and 16, the CPA held its 2016 Atlantic Seminar & Golf Tournament at Brudenell River Valley Resort in Prince Edward Island.
Close to 40 delegates attended the seminar, making it one of the most popular Atlantic events yet. The event included a full day of seminar presentations and a golf tournament at Dundarave Golf course.
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On May 26, CPA’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Mélanie Levac was elected Chair of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods General Policy Advisory Council (TDG GPAC) for a term of two years.
The TDG GPAC was established in 1985 under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act to counsel the Minister of Transport on various strategic, safety and social issues relating to the transportation of dangerous goods. The Advisory Council members and other subject matter experts, attending as invited guests, continue to meet at least twice a year in Ottawa, Ontario.
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The CPA has introduced an updated logo design as the first step in refreshing the Association’s brand and marketing strategy. The new logo keeps the blue and green colour scheme, as well as the "flame flower" design, but takes on a more modern look which is easier to integrate into printed and digital materials. The old CPA logo will no longer be used.
If you have any questions about the new logo, please contact CPA Director, Marketing, Peter Maddox at petermaddox@propane.ca or by phone at 416.903.8518.
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The CPA is pleased to offer member companies an updated, official CPA logo for use in marketing and promotional materials.
This logo can be used by current CPA members on member company websites, brochures, magazine ads, and any other material to indicate that they are a member of the Canadian Propane Association. The logos, available in both English and French, can be downloaded from The Grid.
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 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.
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Measurement Canada Clarification:
National Energy Board LPG Underground Inventory Report:
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The regulatory authority responsible for the storage and handling of propane in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Engineering & Inspections division of Service NL, has not approved implementation periods for compliance with the new pressure relief valve (PRV) servicing requirements.
Therefore, the current code in Newfoundland and Labrador requires PRVs used on pressure vessels in LPG service to be serviced as follows:
- Greater than 2,500 USWG – Maximum servicing interval of 10 years.
- 2,500 USWG or less – Maximum servicing interval of 25 years.
To facilitate continued research in this area, the regulatory authority in Newfoundland and Labrador is asking affected companies to create an inventory of their vessels and associated pressure relief device last servicing dates and provide their inventory to Service NL. If you have any questions, contact Jean-François Duguay, Regional Manager, Atlantic & Quebec at jeanfrancoisduguay@propane.ca.
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Get involved and make your voice heard! The three national CPA committees and six regional committees always need volunteers.
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