On May 3, CPA staff and members met with the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, the Hon. Bob Chiarelli. Representing the propane industry were Nathalie St-Pierre, CPA President & CEO; Peter Maddox, CPA Ontario Regional Manager; Greg McCamus, President, Superior Plus Energy Group; and Dan Kelly, Chief Financial Officer, Dowler-Karn and CPA Board Vice-Chair.
Key topics discussed were subsidized natural gas expansion and opportunities for the propane industry to access funding to support propane customers across the province. Industry representatives also expressed their disappointment at the announcement of taxpayer funds for expansion of natural gas infrastructure. The CPA asked that future funding not be energy-specific, allowing consumers and communities to decide how best to invest in energy services.
The Minister voiced an interest in programs to aid energy affordability and emissions reduction in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. The CPA will continue to work with the government to develop propane-specific program opportunities, including initiatives to move consumers off oil and diesel to propane.
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Funding via the Ontario Home Energy Conservation Incentive Program
(OHECIP) is now available to help propane customers upgrade their
appliances. Propane businesses can play a role in this program by
discussing energy upgrades with current and potential customers, and by
directing them to appropriate program resources.
Independent
energy auditors manage the program process, including consumer
pre-qualification, energy audits and submission for payment. Eligible
energy upgrades include furnace and water heater replacement,
insulation, and air sealing. The program also now includes fuel
switching (e.g., oil to propane). Homeowners should contact an approved
auditor in their territory to discuss participating in this program. To
determine territory and approved auditors for their address, homeowners
can enter their postal code at: www.ohecip.ca.
A range of
marketing resources are available. CPA members, please view The Grid for
details or click here for more information about the program.
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The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) issued the news release, What to do in Case of a Flood, including the Fact Sheet, Flood Safety for Propane Users, to support our members in Ontario and Quebec who have experienced devastating flooding conditions.
The CPA Flood Safety Tips include essential propane-related safety precautions that can be completed before, during and after a flooding event to protect home and family. Tips include shutting off the gas supply to propane tank and appliances, as well as the electricity supply, and ensuring propane tanks are secured to a fixed object.
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The CPA responded to the Ontario Government’s budget release on April 27
by issuing the news release, The Propane Industry Sees Opportunity in
Ontario Budget. The CPA pressed the government to include propane as an
affordable and low-emission energy solution for Ontario. We encourage
you to share this press release with your local news outlets and your
Member of Provincial Parliament to promote access to high efficiency
appliance upgrades for all Ontarians, and to advocate rebates for fleet
operators utilizing propane.
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The Manitoba Government is requesting industry feedback on their proposed changes and improvements to the technical safety regulations for steam, pressure and refrigeration equipment released as part of the Technical Safety Act review process. The proposals included in the discussion paper are part of a larger review of Manitoba’s technical equipment safety regulations that are being conducted for the implementation of the new Technical Safety Act. For more information, CPA members can link to The Grid or the discussion paper can be viewed on the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s website.
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Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) hosted its first Generation Energy Workshop in Regina, SK on May 8. NRCan says it created the Generation Energy forum to spur innovation, create jobs, and help decarbonize energy production and consumption in Canada.
NRCan’s Parliamentary Secretary Kim Rudd introduced the inaugural session by reiterating Canada’s commitment to a clean energy future. To identify key challenges of transitioning to a decarbonized energy environment, the 60 participants from across the energy sector divided into several working groups, which included: electrification, public confidence, affordability, energy efficiency, infrastructure renewal and Indigenous communities.
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The CPA attended the Energy Council of Canada’s (ECC) Western Regional Forum on May 9 in Regina, SK. The event was comprised of four panels of speakers from across Canada to discuss pathways to clean energy by 2050.
The Hon. Dustin Duncan, Minister of Energy and Resources, SK, the Hon. Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy, AB and the Hon. Cliff Cullen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, MB participated in the ECC’s first panel. The discussion began with each minister addressing a shift to clean energy via the development of renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind and hydro) in each of their respective provinces.
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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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Environment and Climate Change Canada now requires industries storing or producing large volumes of hazardous substances at their facilities to have an Environmental Emergency (E2) Plan.
To assist organizations in their compliance, ERAC is expanding their services to incorporate E2 Plans. This includes the
development of new E2 plans, the review and edit of existing E2 plans,
as well as the development and oversight of E2 drills and exercises. To
learn more, visit the ERAC website.
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:
May 2017
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The Ontario Technical Services & Safety Authority (TSSA) will adopt the CSA B149.2-15 code on July 1, 2017 and have a issued new Code Adoption Document for the propane industry: FS-224-17.
Significant changes include:
- Exemption of vehicular protection for cylinders of 20 lb or less stored in cabinets (Item 1.12)
- New requirements for inspection and replacement of relief valves (Item 1.15), including:
- Pressure relief valve (PRV) inspection shall be recorded at a minimum interval of every five (5) years.
- Tanks of greater than 2,500 USWG shall have the relief valves rebuilt/certified or replaced every 10 years. All overdue relief valves shall be rebuilt/certified or replaced by May 1, 2024.
- Tanks of 2,500 USWG or less shall have the relief valves rebuilt/certified or replaced every 25 years. All overdue relief valves shall be rebuilt/certified or replaced by May 1, 2027.
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