The Canadian Propane Association applauds the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) decision to ensure that new customers – and not existing ones – pay the cost of natural gas expansion through a rate structure that reflects that cost.
The CPA participated in the OEB’s process that began in December 2015 to establish principles to guide the recovery of costs associated with expanding natural gas services.
The OEB decision, released Thursday, November 17, ensures that the true cost of the energy supply is reflected in pricing. It furthermore helps to ensure that propane businesses can continue to employ local workers across Ontario’s communities. Propane businesses could have been severely impacted if subsidies were provided to trucked LNG.
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Revelstoke’s Fortis BC customers will remain on propane for the foreseeable future. The utility provider is no longer pursuing regulatory approval to convert its Revelstoke propane users to natural gas. It had originally begun the process in October 2014, when propane prices were significantly higher than current rates, which are approximately 60 per cent lower than what they were in 2014. However, should propane prices increase again in the future, the utility stated that it could switch its customers to natural gas relatively quickly because a detailed piping distribution and appliance conversion plan has now been completed.
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Propane businesses can play a role in the Ontario government’s new home energy retrofit program – Ontario Home Energy Conservation Incentive Program (OHECIP). The government is committing $100 million over three years to help about 37,000 homeowners who use a natural gas, propane, oil or wood appliance as the primary source of heating in their homes.
Independent energy auditors manage the program process, including consumer pre-qualification, energy audits, paperwork and submission for payment. Eligible energy upgrades include furnace and water heater replacement. The program is intended for upgrades utilizing an existing energy source, such as moving from a low-efficiency to high-efficiency propane furnace but the CPA is investigating opportunities to create fuel-switching programs.
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At the request of the CPA, Transport Canada has renewed CPA
Equivalency Certificate SU 11577 (Ren. 4) to add marine as an accepted
mode of transport. Therefore, Equivalency Certificate SH 11577 (Ren. 3)
is hereby revoked and superseded. SU 11577 (Ren. 4)
This
equivalency certificate authorizes the one-way transportation by road
of storage tanks that do not comply with Part 5 (Means of Containment)
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. All CPA equivalency
certificates are available on the CPA website.
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The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) amendments to the Gas Safety Regulation and adoption of new gas safety codes came into effect November 1, 2016. They supersede the following two directives, which have been rescinded:
- Directive No: D-G5 091103 4 – Common Venting Systems For Category III OR IV Gas Appliances
Clause 8.10.6 has been revised in the B149.1 2015 (effective November 01) edition to add conditions and requirements for the common venting of appliances operating with a positive pressure. This revision has made Directive No: D-G5 091103 4 redundant.
- Directive No: D-G5 090929 3 – Auto Propane Components and EN 67 Compliance
IGAC Protocol No. 09-17 was created in support of the B149.5 - 2005 code edition to cover off the European EN 67 standard issue. This standard has now been superseded by UN R67 and is recognized in Annex E of the 2015 code. It is now mandatory under Annex E of the 2015 B149.5 code (effective November 01). This revision has made Directive No: D-G5 090929 3 redundant.
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Canadian National Railway has provided tips and proactive steps that companies can take to plan for colder weather: Preparing for Winter Together. The
video offers simple steps to prepare business operations for
winter as well as what to do once the colder weather arrives to help
avoid interruptions in service.
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The Canadian Propane Association has published Winter Preparedness for Propane Users. The fact sheet includes a list of steps that consumers can take before and during the winter to help conserve energy and prepare for the colder weather. The document also assures consumers that Canada’s propane industry will continue to make every effort to provide reliable and affordable service to its valued customers, and encourages customers to contact their propane retailer to put their winter plan into action.
The CPA also issued a press release notifying the public of the industry’s commitment to helping families prepare for winter. The press release is available on the CPA website: Canadian Propane Association Helping Families Keep Comfortable and Safe this Winter.
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The Canadian Propane Association is preparing a submission to the Ontario Ministry of Energy for the province’s Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) review. The LTEP is a road map setting out the direction for Ontario’s energy future over the next 20 years, including the fuels sector.
The CPA is seeking member input to develop our submission. The submission will outline the role that propane plays in Ontario’s energy mix and how propane can help the province achieve its future energy, economic and environmental goals. To guide your organization’s input, please read the LTEP Discussion Guide. This document includes important questions to consider throughout the guide, under the heading "For Consideration." More LTEP background information can be viewed here.
Email your feedback and ideas for CPA’s submission to Peter Maddox, CPA’s Ontario Regional Manager, by Wednesday, November 30. If you have any questions, or would like to get further involved in the development of the submission, please email Peter or contact him at 416.903.8518.
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In August, the CPA submitted a brief to the New Brunswick government as
part of the province’s efforts to fight climate change. The brief
highlighted climate change solutions that propane can offer New
Brunswick for transportation, public infrastructure, back-up energy, and
remote and rural communities. The CPA is pleased to announce that in
its recommendations, the committee included propane as a mitigation
measure. Key highlights included:
- Transportation Emissions –
Working with the freight and trucking industry to increase fuel
efficiency in commercial trucking and pilot the use of alternative fuels
such as propane, natural gas, and bio-diesel; and increasing the uptake
of vehicles fuelled by propane.
- Agriculture – Linking financial incentives to the development of farm-management plans that include methane and fertilizer management.
- Clean Technology – Creating growth and jobs in the areas of clean technology and providing access to infrastructure funding.
These recommendations further open the door for the CPA to continue
collaborating with the government and working to include propane in New
Brunswick’s overall climate change action plan.
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The Canadian Propane Association is pleased to announce a new award for its annual CPA Awards Program. The PTI Training Award celebrates engaging and inspiring trainers who are best in their class and achieve a level of excellence in the classroom. This award replaces the CPA Service Award.
CPA's award program also offers a Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant or consistent outstanding service contributions to the CPA, as well as the CPA Student Scholarship Award. The scholarship award, sponsored by the International Association of Young Gassers, Inc.,
provides financial assistance to recipients planning a career in
post-secondary education at a Canadian vocational or trade school,
community college or university and is offered to immediate family of employees of CPA member companies.
CPA members are encouraged to nominate commendable colleagues and associates by submitting a nomination form no later than March 1 of each year. Award details are available on the CPA website.
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CPA Member Joe Adams, Chief Compliance Officer of SLEEGERS Engineered Product Inc., has spent more than 25 years actively serving on CSA Technical Committees. The CSA recognized Joe for his contributions, awarding him at the CSA B51 Technical Committee meeting on Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code held in St. Andrews, New Brunswick in August.
Joe continues to be an active, regular participant in numerous CSA committees:
- Strategic Steering Committee on Fuel Burning Equipment (voting member)
- Technical Committee on the Installation Code for Natural Gas and Propane Appliances (Associate member)
- Technical Committee on Propane Storage & Handling (Vice-Chair)
- Technical Committee on Auto Propane (Chair)
- Technical Committee on Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code (voting member)
Congratulations Joe!
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Canadian Propane Association and Emergency Response Assistance Canada members can expect renewal letters by the end of November 2016. We would like to thank members for their continued support for, and investment in, a successful and thriving propane industry.
CPA membership provides many benefits, including: advocacy and lobbying services for regulatory and legislative matters, access to training and emergency response services, industry intelligence and regulatory updates, equivalency certificates, member communications, affinity partner benefits and networking opportunities. We look forward to working with members in the new year to continue championing the propane industry in Canada.
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The CPA reminds members that they will receive a $200 discount off their annual membership fees for referring an organization/individual that joins the CPA. There is a maximum of $400 dollars/two referrals per member, per year. Contact James Daniels, Manager, Member Services at jamesdaniels@propane.ca for details.
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The CPA is pleased to offer member companies the 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 they are a member of the Association. It is available in both English and French, and can be downloaded from The Grid.
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The Propane Training Institute has updated its 100-09 Propane Tank and Pressure Relief Valve Inspection Program (version 2.1). It has been formally recognized by BC Safety Authority in meeting the requirements in
relation to section 7.1.1 of the CSA B149.2 Propane Storage and Handling
code. As such, PTI certified instructors delivering the program to this
new standard will be issuing a certificate that meets the training
expectations for tank inspectors in BC.
The version 2.1 program includes an updated student workbook along with a new PowerPoint presentation and facilitator’s guide to assist trainers in delivering a consistent and effective program that prepares individuals to perform thorough inspections of propane tanks and PRVs.
For a list of all PTI courses, click here.
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What if the unthinkable happened today? That worst-case scenario. The
reason your company has an emergency response assistance plan (ERAP). Is your
company ready? Determine your organization’s level of readiness in
response to an ERAP activation.
Enroll in ERAC’s Plan Participant Readiness and Review Program (free for
ERAC Plan Participants). This program is a new tool to determine your
organization’s level of readiness in response to an ERAP activation.
The Plan Participant Readiness and Review program is designed to:
- Improve your operational response readiness and highlight the importance of
ERAPs, including your organization’s role and ERAC’s role, capabilities
and responsibilities
- Determine your organization’s readiness through the program’s assessment questionnaire
- Offer tailored ERAP awareness training with ERAC
- Follow up with Plan participants through a survey
Learn more about the Plan Participant Readiness and Review Program by contacting Don Merriam, Operations Manager, LPG or visit our website at www.erac.org.
Stay
in touch with ERAC! Sign Up to receive ERAC's quarterly newsletter and
get interesting news and updates delivered directly to your inbox.
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National Energy Board LPG Underground Inventory Report:
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CSA Group, a leading standards development organization and global provider of testing and certification services, offers an online platform to access the following Dangerous Goods (TDG) standards.
- B339 – Cylinders, spheres, and tubes for the transportation of dangerous goods
- B340 – Selection and use of cylinders, spheres, tubes, and other containers for the transportation of dangerous goods, Class 2
- B341 – UN pressure receptacles and multiple-element gas containers for the transport of dangerous goods
- B342 – Selection and use of UN pressure receptacles and multiple-element gas containers for the transport of dangerous goods, Class 2
- B620 – Highway tanks and portable tanks for the transportation of dangerous goods
- B621 – Selection and use of highway tanks, portable tanks, cargo compartments, and containers for the transportation of dangerous goods, Classes 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9
- B622 – Selection and use of highway tanks, multi-unit tank car tanks, and portable tanks for the transportation of dangerous goods, Class 2
- B625 – Portable tanks for the transport of dangerous goods
- B626 – Portable tank specification TC 44
Registered users can see the full content through CSA Group’s online Communities of Interest (COI) platform. The COI platform provides a forum where users can ask questions and participate in discussions on standards-related issues. It also contains links to CSA Group’s online store where users can purchase the standards.
To view the TDG standards, register or log in at the CSA Group website and scroll down to click on the red icon labelled "TDG STANDARDS View Access".
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The Canadian Propane Association is pleased to
welcome the following new members to the Association:
- Hanbay Inc.
- Rising Star Resources Ltd.
- Mount Bastion
Oil & Gas Corp.
- U-Haul International
- Longshore Resources
- Steel Reef
Infrastructure Corp.
- Tundra Energy Marketing Ltd.
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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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