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Fall/Winter 2016 An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association • Kathy Hoekstra • Rick Weiner • Susan Demas • Steve Mitchell • Darci McConnell • Kaitlynn Buss Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. Michigan Pundits and Prognosticators Explain the Election Impacts

An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

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Page 1: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

Fall/Winter 2016

An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association

• Kathy Hoekstra• Rick Weiner• Susan Demas• Steve Mitchell• Darci McConnell• Kaitlynn Buss

Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc.

Michigan Pundits and

Prognosticators Explain the

Election Impacts

Page 2: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

SignatureTruckAd_NewLogo.pdf 1 5/17/16 8:50 AM

Page 3: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

3www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

ContentsMPGA MISSION STATEMENTTo advance safety by working for a favorable environment for propane distribution and marketing, to increase its application by demonstrating propane’s value as a clean, reliable, efficient energy source.

MPGA Office:1000 West St. Joseph Hwy. Suite 200Lansing, MI 48915Telephone: (517) 487-2021Fax: (517) 485-9408Michigan Propane Gas Associationwww.UseMichiganPropane.com

Propane Journal Committee:Dave Biggs, Crystal FlashRob Vandemark, Industrial Propane Service, Inc.David Lowe, Pro Image CommunicationsTom Jaenicke, ATomiK Creative Solutions, Consultant

MPGA Management andLegislation Consultants:Kindsvatter, Dalling & Associates, Inc.1000 West St. Joseph Hwy. Suite 200Lansing, MI 48915

Derek DallingChristian H. KindsvatterJason WadagaMatthew SolakDenise StoneSara McCallumMichelle DishawGeri Root

Propane Journal is published quarterly by the Michigan Propane Gas Association, 1000 West St. Joseph Hwy, Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48915, (517) 487-2021. The Propane Journal is paid for in part by a rebate grant from the National Propane Education & Research Council and is available for free to the marketers and the public. All inquiries and address changes should be sent to the above address. Articles written by outside authors do not necessarily reflect the view or position of the Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA). MPGA’s position on key issues will be clearly stated. Manuscripts are accepted at the approval of MPGA who reserves the right to reject or edit. The Propane Journal does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services nor does the Propane Journal make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of the advertiser’s offer and reserves the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable. Advertising rates and other information available upon request.

4 Message from the President—David Long

5 2017 MPGA Board of Directors

6 Summer Convention Highlights

9 National Propane Scholarships Awarded to MPGA Families

11 Hazmat Training Center Celebrates 25 Years of Safety

12 MPGA Tours Michigan Propane Storage Site

14 The Time is Right for More Storage

15 Propane Pre-Buy Campaign Reaches Thousands of Michigan Residents

16 Plant Tour Highlights An Important Rural Michigan Industry

18 Looking for a Home Alone?

20 Why It’s Important to Update Your Browser

25 Rural Michigan’s Economy is Warmed Up By Propane

28 Propane Cars and Trucks Production Picking Up Speed

31 MPGA PAC Contribution Form

32 Michigan Pundits Try to Untangle a Knotty Election

34 Wicked Weather or Wonderland

37 Impact of the New Administration on Michigan’s Small Business

39 Overtime Rule Change In Effect

42 Featured Marketer—Alpine Propane, LLC

46 Featured Supplier—Icom North America

48 What’s New!

50 Index to Advertisers

MPGA’s Propane Journal is dedicated to providing education and safety articles for both propane consumers and marketers.

The Propane Journal is supported in part through a state rebate granted from the National Propane Education Research Council. The Propane Journal is circulated to all marketers in

Michigan and public interest groups across the state.

Page 4: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

4 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T

Dave LongMPGA President

Our industry’s success in 2017 will be a collective achievement

driven by the actions and ideas of district directors, past

presidents, committee chairs, and MPGA staff.

In my term as MPGA president I want to be an agent of change. But this

is not going to be some top down endeavor.

I believe deeply that all of MPGA’s leaders will advance the association

by a “leading-together” philosophy.

To that end, I will be talking with all of our leaders to assess problems

and look for ideas to generate progress. I want to ultimately create an

association culture of agility.

We’ll need to be responsive to address the opportunities and

challenges we’ve written about in this issue of the Propane Journal.

Here are some highlights:

Impact of the New Administration on Small Businesses: On page 37 a leading public policy

forecaster discusses benefits of a Trump Administration.

• Trump has pushed for a simplification of the tax code that will benefit business. Corporations

and S-Corps maximum tax will fall to 15% and the highest personal income tax will fall from

almost 40% to 33%.

• His administration will likely repeal and replace Obamacare and provide companies relief from

job killing regulations imposed on them by the Obama Administration.

Michigan’s Rural Economy Is Warmed Up by Propane: On page 25, our industry’s economic and

social benefits to rural Michigan residents are highlighted.

• Propane contributes $941,199,000 to Michigan’s GDP

• Michigan consumes an astonishing 5% of the US’s propane

• 387,279,000 gallons of propane are used in Michigan

The conversion of many light- and heavy-duty conventional vehicles to propane is accelerating. On page 28 the US Department of Energy stats show when compared with vehicles fueled by diesel

and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and

greenhouse gases.

By leading together, the MPGA team members can leverage success from the opportunities and

challenges we’ve written about in this issue of the Propane Journal.

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5www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

OfficersPresident David Long, Long’s Propane Gas, LLC [email protected] 1st Vice President Andrew VanderBoegh, Alto LP Gas [email protected] 2nd Vice President Chris DeGrote, Dependable LP Gas [email protected] Matt Parsch, Al Parsch Oil & Propane Co. [email protected] Secretary Jeff Hynes, Kent Oil & Propane, Inc. [email protected] Director Bruce Montroy, Bergquist, Inc. [email protected] Past President Blaine Cronn, Kal-Gas [email protected] Director Derek Dalling, Kindsvatter, Dalling & Associates [email protected]

Active Past Presidents(Not listed on this page)

Guy BowmanTom JaenickeDavid LoweTim MillerDavid MontgomeryTerry RhoadsDon RittersdorfKandy ScottDuane StanfordBob Vandemark

Committee ChairsAlternative Fuels Gary Shepherd, Stanford LP Gas [email protected] Kim Godlewski, IPS Equipment [email protected] Tim Myers, IPS Equipment, Inc. [email protected] Affairs Wayne Kohley, Excel Propane Co. [email protected] Security Randy Halstead, Homeworks

Tri-County Propane [email protected] Range Planning Blaine Cronn, Kal Gas [email protected]

2017 MPGA Board of Directors

Marketing Blaine Cronn, Kal-Gas [email protected] Code Jim Cross, Jr., Suburban Propane [email protected] Jeff Hynes, Kent Oil & Propane [email protected] PERC Ken Dubay, Bergquist, Inc. [email protected] Propane PAC Jason Kratt, Hamilton’s Propane [email protected] 58 Jeremy Stanford, Stanford LP Gas [email protected] Emergency Training Brian Lincoln, Stanford LP Gas [email protected] Emergency Response Network Marv Ockerman, Stanford LP Gas

[email protected] & Compliance Larry Otto, LDO & Associates Consulting, LLC [email protected] Matt Parsch, Al Parsch Oil & Propane [email protected] Mike VanDenBoom, Signature Truck Systems, Inc. [email protected] & Measures Rob Vandemark, Industrial Propane Service, Inc. [email protected]

District DirectorsDistrict I John Breithart (2017) Crystal Flash [email protected]

Scott Underwood (2018) Alto LP Gas [email protected]

District II Troy Avery (2017) Avery Oil & Propane [email protected]

Mike George, Amerigas (2018) [email protected]

District III Scott Fleetwood (2017) Tri-Gas Distributing Co. [email protected]

Scott Overholt (2018) Tri-Gas Distributing Co. [email protected]

District IV Scott Gabriel (2017) Fick & Sons [email protected]

Aaron Huizenga (2018) Ferrellgas [email protected]

District V Don Steckman (2017) Ferrellgas [email protected]

Kris Bowman (2018) Bowman Gas [email protected]

Supplier Don Montroy (2017) Bergquist, Inc. [email protected]

Jim Zuck (2018) Marshall Excelsior [email protected]

Michigan Propane EducationResearch Counsil BoardOfficers President

Ken Dubay Bergquist, Inc.

Vice President David Lowe

Pro Image Communications

Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Montroy

Bergquist, Inc.

Immediate Past President Blaine Cronn Kal-Gas

Board Members Randy Halstead Homeworks Tri-County Propane

Gerad Himebaugh Forward Corporation

Scott Underwoord Alto LP Gas

Page 6: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

6 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Summer Convention Highlights

Crystal Mountain Resort / July 20–22

Page 7: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

7www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

Page 8: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending
Page 9: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

9www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

Sarah Mulkey is a junior at Michigan State University studying Business Management and Criminal Justice. She plans to pursue a career helping at risk youth through non-profit programs as well as opening her own martial arts school. At school, she enjoys working as a teacher’s aide at a preschool with 3 and 4 year olds as well as teaching group exercise classes on campus. Sarah is grateful for this scholarship because it allows her to attend a top school like Michigan State which provides many opportunities such as the Inside Out Prison Exchange program to learn about restorative justice. Sarah’s mother, Carolyn Mulkey, is an Assistant Manager for Parker’s Propane Gas Co.

Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending Central Michigan University where she is pursuing a degree in secondary education with a major in English. At Central Juliann is the Students for Life treasurer, and recreation event planner at St. Mary’s University Parish. In her free time Juliann loves being active, long trails that are great for running are her favorite. After graduating Juliann is hoping to begin her teaching career or to become a missionary, going wherever The Lord calls her. Her mother works for Al Parsch Oil & Propane Company.

Morgan Thomas is a sophomore at Mott Community College. This scholarship provided by Mark and Beth Pennington means the world to Morgan because this award means she is one step closer to her dreams on getting a degree for marketing. Morgan is very energetic and a go-getter, who loves the feeling when she accomplishes something, and she is very competitive. Other than the love of marketing Morgan loves to paint, do crafts, drawing, and running, plus being healthy and being happy. Her family means the most to her as well as her friends. Morgan’s stepmother, Marie Thomas, is a secretary for Parker’s Propane in Flint, MI.

Haley Tolitsky is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI studying finance and Spanish through the honors college. Haley’s father, Joseph Tolitsky, is an Operations Manager for Suburban Propane in Almont, MI.

National Propane Scholarships

Awarded to MPGA Families

Sarah MulkeyNPGA At-Large Award Scholarship

Julliann PardonBenchmarking Council Scholarship

Morgan ThomasMark and Beth Pennington Scholarship

Haley TolitskyYoung Gassers Scholarship

Page 10: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

10 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

For more than 25 years, UHY LLP’s team of industry experts have been providing value-added services to some of the Midwest’s finest propane companies. Because we understand your operations and the complex tax, accounting and business issues surrounding the industry, we are able to identify opportunities and bring tangible value to our clients.

Adding VAlue

The next level of service

An independent member of UHY International

Contact Keith A. Moore, CPA Propane Team LeaderPhone 586 843 2545Email [email protected] www.uhy-us.com

Warren, MI 800.482.2678

LPG Bobtail units available in open deck and closed deck models

Decks and fenders are fabricated from aluminum for lighter weight and corrosion resistance

Three full service repair and DOT testing centers to serve the Midwest

Gaylord, MI 888.482.2678 Portage, MI 877.752.5150

Visit us online at www.tanktruckservice.com

For new delivery units, call Mark Langworthy at 800.261.9009

Page 11: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

11www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

O n September 22, the MPGA was honored to join Senator Stamas and Representative Miller in

acknowledging the 25th anniversary of the Michigan State Police’s dedicated Hazardous Materials Training Center. The MPGA has been a proud contributor to the Center.

A legislative resolution was read and signed by both Stamas and Miller followed by a photo op in the rotunda of the State Capital.

Both MPGA’s Propane Emergency Team and Propane Emergency Response Network have instructed hundred of Michigan’s police and fire fighters on propane emergency scenarios at the Center.

Opened in 1991, the facility is used to provide training for handling and sequestering of toxic, poisonous or otherwise dangerous materials, primarily from damaged railroad cars and tanker trucks. The Center is still in heavy use today. n

HAZMAT TRAINING CENTER

Celebrates 25 Years of Safety

From L to R: Senator Jim Stamas; Andy Such, Michigan Manufacturers Association; State Representative Aaron Miller; John Cool, Michigan Railroads Association; Matt Solak, MPGA Lobbyist

Mission of HAZMAT Training Center

To minimize deaths and injuries at Industrial facilities by the accidental release of hazardous materials into the environment.

Page 12: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

12 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

MPGA Tours Michigan Propane Storage Site

P lains Midstream Canada (PMC) hosted a terminal and underground storage tour of their St. Clair, MI facility for industry

guests including MPGA members on Tuesday, September 27.

Over 40 people attended the safety orientation presentation followed by the facility tour. Attendees then enjoyed lunch followed by a round of golf at St. Clair Golf Club.

The PMC site contains five underground caverns—four dedicated to propane and one for butane—and three brine ponds on over 100 total acres. The truck loading rack has capacity for up to 150 transports a day. The site was originally owned by Diamond Crystal Salt for mining purposes.

“The facility, supporting both rail and truck, is impressive,” said Don Montroy, MPGA Supplier Marketer co-chairman.

PMC is an industry transportation and midstream provider. They specialize in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). PMC

links petroleum producers with refiners and other customers via pipeline, truck and rail transportation. They also operate strategically located facilities for crude oil and NGL storage, separation of NGL from natural gas and fractionation of NGL into specification products.

PMC is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, and has more than 1,500 employees in Canada and the U.S. Their U.S. facilities are located in 14 states and they conduct business in 45 states.

A special “Thank You!” goes to Don Bailey, Paul Patterson, and Joe Bielik of PMC for providing the informative tour. n

Michigan’s propane retailers

are adding to their storage

tanks which adds to the

state’s abundant supply of rural

home heating fuel.” —Don Montroy,

MPGA Supplier Director co-chairman

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JOB #: 58989 Print Scale: NoneCLIENT CODE: CHS05 Version: NoneCLIENT: CHS

Description: 8.5” x 11” 4CPublication: MIpgaDocument Name: 58989_CHS_2016_AD_Partner-

ship_MIpga_8.5x11_4C_v1.indd

Proof #:

Page #:

1

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Bleed: 8.75” x 11.25”Trim: 8.5” x 11”Live: 7.5” x 10”Gutter: NoneFold Type: None

Date: 8-29-2016 3:21 PMUser Name: Hortsch, MarcPrevious User: Nielsen, KaraInDesign Version: InDesign CC 2015Notes: None

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

GCD: None AD: None CW: None AE: None PM: JZ PA: AGTE

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There’s nothing more important to us than ourpartnerships. Whether we’ve been partners for decadesor weeks, we’re here to help you deliver. To do this, weinvest in propane terminals, storage assistance, innovationslike our Propane Control Room, and a new website thatsimplifies all your equipment needs. Our trusted andknowledgeable account managers are here to help youmonitor markets and plan supply so you can manage costs and serve communities with confidence. To learn how we can navigate the market better together, contact Mike Holy at 651-355-8407 or [email protected].

WARM SUPPER. PEACE OF MIND. HAPPY CUSTOMER.BROUGHT TO YOU BY A PARTNERSHIPWITH CHS PROPANE.

© 2016 CHS Inc.

T:8.5”T:11”

B:8.75”B:11.25”

Page 14: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

14 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

There seems to be plenty of propane to go around this heating season, but this winter has been quite a bit warmer than average in most parts of the country. Would there have been enough propane if there had been the kind of winter we had the last two years? Or even an average winter? The answer is maybe.

Conversations with propane marketers reveal that, while propane is plentiful and prices are low, much of the propane available is in the wrong part of the country. It will be tough to reach consumers if temperatures take an extended dip. There are complaints of some refiners and processing plants being down and not enough product in pipelines. In some areas, there is no spot market fuel as everything has been contracted.

But, new rail terminals have opened and are planned to help get product where it’s needed. Propane production projections remain robust for the foreseeable future. If the price of crude were to increase to a point that shale exploration starts again, there will be even more propane. No worries, right?

Propane production in the U.S. has grown to the point that we’ve become a net exporter. The U.S. is part of the world market now. New export terminals have opened and more are planned to open soon. The expanded Panama Canal will allow more propane shipments to reach growing energy markets in Asia. This means propane exports will continue to increase as long as markets overseas are more profitable (and expensive) than those in the U.S. Propane is going to go where the money is until price is equal both here and abroad. All of this is going to present some new challenges for propane marketers at home.

There are other roadblocks, literally, that hinder the movement of propane to where it is needed. Murphy’s Law seems to always ring true: The weather is always the worst when you need product the most. Snowstorms close highways so transports can’t get through. Lines are long at terminals, delaying shipments. You can have all of the contracts that you need, but if you can’t get the product where you need it, what good is the contract?

To top it all off, customers don’t want to hear all the reasons why they may not be able to get their propane. They just want

to be warm. The best way to keep a loyal customer base is to keep them warm and their water hot. Oddly enough, if they never have to think about you, then you’ve done a good job.

So, the best way to make sure that you keep them warm is to have enough storage on hand. Keep it full for when times get tough. Having enough storage, either at your main facility or satellite locations, is the best way to assert your independence. Counting on producers to ensure there is enough product is fine until they can get more money for it overseas. Buy it low and put it in your storage — at least a good percentage of it anyway.

As long as you rely on pipelines, rail lines, or transport lines, you roll the dice when it’s time to really deliver propane. The times have changed and you can no longer count on everything to fall into place neat and tidy like it used to. You cannot count on all of the outside influences to help maintain goodwill with your customers.

There are all kinds of opinions as to how much storage is enough. A good rule of thumb is to prepare for enough product for an entire seven days during your busiest week of the year – with no additional deliveries to your storage site possible for one reason or another. It could happen. It has happened. Maybe ten days is better. Having that much product on hand could buy the time needed to stay off the local news. A couple of weeks of bad press can affect your business for a long time.

The cost to add a 30,000 gallon tank to an existing plant is in the $100,000 neighborhood. Less if you scour the markets for a good used tank. It doesn’t take long to pay that off by being able to buy more product when the cost is low and putting it in your storage until needed. You pay your own storage cost as well. No extra added fees.

Giant shopping malls are built for the business that retailers get the last two months of the year. Huge NFL stadiums are built for eight home games a season, nine or ten if they’re lucky. They don’t average the crowd out over the other 44 weeks and build accordingly. With the propane game changing, it’s time to build for when your customers need you the most.

The Time is Right for More Storage

“With the propane

game changing,

it’s time to build

for when your

customers need

you the most.”

Written By Bruce Montroy, Senior Vice President-SalesOriginally published in Oil & Energy Magazine Online, March 2016

Page 15: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

15www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

The MPGA’s Industry Outreach and SHOP committee launched a propane pre-buy campaign in

early August to encourage residents to complete their pre-buys with propane marketers. The campaign included social media, news media and new website.

PROPANE PRE-BUY

CAMPAIGN

Reaches Thousands of Michigan Residents

Your Heavy-Duty Transportation Company

DHT-inc.com • 800-833-6365Stephanie Davis • [email protected] • 513-260-2884

Jason Akers • [email protected] • 616-802-4644

24-Hour Dispatch • GPS-Tracked Load LocationVessels from 10,500 to 19,300 Gallons

DHT—Your Partner for Success

Continued on page 50

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16 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Legislators, their staffs and local fire fighters got the opportunity to see, first hand, how Michigan’s propane

industry supports rural jobs and rural economies when they took statewide plant tours this past summer and fall.

The association started these tours in 2009 and they have proved to be invaluable in educating Michigan policy makers on the importance of propane for their constituents.

Topics for discussion included consumer issues, safety issues, and services the MPGA has extended to communities in your district. Legislators and staff members were interested in discussing the costly subsidization of building natural gas pipelines into rural Michigan. They are concerned with the negative affects it will have on small businesses throughout the state.

The tours also provided the opportunity for lawmakers to meet and discuss issues with small business owners in their area.

The MPGA completed legislative plant tours in all five of its districts across the state. n

Plant Tour Highlights An Important Rural Michigan Industry

These plant tours are so valuable in

educating current and future Michigan

legislators on the importance of

propane as a heating source in Michigan. We

often find that most people don’t know that

Michigan is the largest propane state in the

country.” —Derek Dalling, MPGA Executive Director

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17www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

800.621.4137 • www.industrialpropaneservice.com

800.621.4137 • www.ipsequipment.com

• Design, Construction & Service• Automatic Methanol Injectors• AutoGas Dispensing Systems• Complete Plant Component Systems• New Trucks/Rechassis• On-site Testing and Services• Testing—V&K’s, Hydro’s, Internal Inspections, Wet

Mag’s, Annual DOT Inspections, Meter Calibrations

Your Equipment Leaders!

Propane Plant and Truck Specialists!

Page 18: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

18 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Empire SR Radiant & BF Blue-Flame Heaters

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The White Mountain Hearth line has a full line of quality & comfort products from vent-free to vented fireplaces, cast iron stoves, and realistic log sets.

Houston TX(800) 334-7816

Kansas City MO(800) 821-5062

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Dallas TX(800) 821-1829

St. Louis MO(800) 423-4685

Richmond VA(800) 368-4013

Fayetteville NC(800) 447-1625

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Indianapolis IN(800) 241-1971

Atlanta GA(800) 241-4155

Bill FisherGas Equipment Co. TV - www.youtube.com/gasequipmenttvwww.gasequipment.com

Looking for a Home Alone?

Can you really save money by avoiding the use of a realtor? First off, what does a real estate agent actually do for you?

In summary, they act in your interest whether you’re buying or selling a home and will typically receive a percentage of the sale once they have successfully closed the deal. Let’s take a look at what they do more in depth...

ExposureThe first thing that buyers typically do before

they even start looking at properties is contact a realtor. This means that there are many buyers in every market that will only be looking at homes listed by agents. The only way to have

your home listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service, an organization that holds hundreds of computerized listings of US real estate offered for sale) is to go through a realtor. This increases the amount of people who view your home, your showings, and offers. The more people your home is viewed by the better!

Right PricingRealtors are constantly absorbing and

analyzing the housing market. This in return means that they’re going to comprehend how the market works head and shoulders above the “for sale by owner” sellers. This also means they have the background knowledge to list the house at an

Continued on page 21

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19www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

For more information call 866.493.7762

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Page 20: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

20 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Why It’s Important to Update Your Browser

An outdated browser is a potential security risk. At Vanco Payment Solutions, multiple layers of protection

are used to govern the safe transmission, processing and storage of all banking and payment card information. As a result, there is no need for your organization to retain banking and payment card information anywhere on its own computers. However, you may have other data on your system that warrants protection and a good place to start is with your web browser.

A browser is a software application, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari, that lets you view and interact with content on a web page. Browser plug-ins, also called add-ons, are applications that extend the functionality of browsers and are required to view certain content. These include Flash Player, Java, Acrobat Reader and others. Mobile devices also use browsers and plug-ins.

Hackers are constantly looking for vulner-abilities in browsers and plug-ins that can be exploited. So while the financial information you’ve entrusted to the payment processor is secure, other information on your system may be at risk. Here are a few basic precautions you can take:

• Keep your browser(s) updated and patched, and set to auto update

• Keep your operating system updated and patched

• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and keep them updated, and

• Keep applications and plug-ins updated and patched

As a PCI Level 1 Compliant Service Provider, Vanco Payment Solutions operates with an unwa-vering commitment to security and confidentiality. Learn more at: VancoPayments.com n

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21www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

National Propane Gas Foundation Scholarship Fund

Education. Success. Scholarship.

Planning for your child’s college fund?

Apply Now for a NPGF Scholarship

Visit www.npga.org/scholarship to learn more about available scholarships.

Applications open on August 15. Completed applications must be submitted by February 15 of the following year.

Successful applicants will be notified by May.

Looking for a Home... continued from page 18

accurate price. Why does this give the home owners an advantage over listing the property themselves? Research shows when your home is listed overpriced, it leads to multiple price reductions over time and you end up selling at a drastically lower price. The longer a property sits on the market, the lower of a price drop it takes.

According to McAnarney Associates, homes that sold in August 2013 within their first week on the market sold for an average of 2.08 percent above list price. Homes that remained on the market for four months sold for an average of 11.53 percent below their original price.

What about online home estimates you may ask? This will get me close to my home’s value right? Even though online home estimating is a thing, they aren’t nearly as accurate. You’re one of the lucky ones if it’s remotely close. Pricing your home appropriately from the beginning is critical to getting it sold quickly at the best price.

Speed and AccuracyPaperwork…paperwork…paperwork. That’s

something you can expect going into buying home. It’s also one of the most dreaded nightmares in the home buying/selling process. Imagine if you didn’t have your real-estate agent to tell you where to sign on the dotted line. Would you understand all of the lingo in the stacks of papers you were signing? Real-estate agents handle this type of paperwork on a daily basis and know how to speed up the process, as well as complete it efficiently. A Realtor saves you time by serving as a contact between you and the other parties of the contract, preparing and reviewing necessary paperwork, and guiding you through the process to make sure everything is handled correctly.

More MoneyRealtors are masters at the art of staging a

home. In today’s market, presentation is everything! Not to mention they’re also pros when presenting

Continued on page 23

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MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

www.usemichiganpropane.com

Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) and Non-Certified Courses will be announcedin February

Visit usemichiganpropane.com and select Training & Events

Page 23: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

23www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

800-488-8816amrstd.com

The Standard of Excellence

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At ASM, we’re a lot more than just cabinets. We also manufacture a full line of superb quality operations equipment designed to make handling and maintaining cylinders as safe, simple and efficient as possible. Reducing back injuries, providing your cylinders with the greatest protection and boosting your productivity. For all your transport needs, make the move to ASM.

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Looking for a Home... continued from page 21

homes to potential buyers. Better showings lead to more money and value in your home and people will be willing to pay a higher price.

Realtors can share information about a home that you wouldn’t otherwise know. They’re trained to see past the appearance and recognize important details about the property you’re looking to buy. They are also taught to recognize the small repairs and improvements you can make to increase the value of your home. According to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the median price of a home sold using an agent is 16 percent higher than a home sold without the guidance of an agent.

In ConclusionNow bringing it back to the question, “can

you really save money by avoiding the use of a realtor?” Unless you’re someone who knows a lot about the legal aspect of buying or selling homes, the answer is most likely no. For most people,

using a realtor saves time and money in the end. A Realtor will act as your advocate during every step of the home buying and selling process. They make sure that all aspects of the deal are handled professionally, with speed, and accuracy. Having a real-estate agent can radically impact the offers you’re going to receive from buyers and help you navigate and leverage the market to help you get the best value. When buying or selling a home, a common misconception is that the best way to save money is to avoid using a realtor. In reality, just the opposite is true!

This educational piece is brought to you by Matthew Shanlian. Matt is affiliated with Michigan Wealth and Risk Management, LLC. He is the Branch Manager for Primary Residential Mortgage. You can reach Matt or his team for additional questions on mortgages or the home buying process by contacting him at 1-844-368-6554. n

Page 24: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

Download and share the consumer materials available on propanemarc.com.

BROCHURES

Include your business card in each brochure, and distribute them on deliveries, as bill stuff ers, or at local events.

AD TEMPLATE

Customize this piece and place it in your newsletter or local newspaper.

AMERICA’S HOMES DESERVE BETTER.

THEY DESERVE PROPANE.Electric water heaters have been the standard for many homes — but now,

it’s time to pull the plug. Establish propane as the smart choice for customers by

using the Pull the Plug on Electric Water Heaters campaign tools and strategies

developed by the Propane Education & Research Council.

FOLLOW UPIt’s important to revisit with customers and keep propane top of mind. In light of the new NAECA standards, it’s also a great time to show them the video on KnowYourWaterHeater.com.

5084-FL-14

TAKE ACTION TODAY.

Tell them about the course “Residential Water Heaters Under the new 2015 Federal Standards” on propanetrainingacademy.com. Emphasize that those who take the course by December 1, 2015, could win a $250 gift card.

Survey your customers to fi nd out.

Attend local homeowners’ events and other association meetings.

DO YOU KNOW WHICH OF YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS?

YES NO

ARE YOU IDENTIFYING NEW CUSTOMERS?

YES NO

DO YOU HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH PLUMBERS AND/OR HVAC CONTRACTORS?

Network with local professional organizations to build relationships for the future.

YES NO

FACT SHEET BUNDLE

Download and share the fact sheet for your climate location.

RESOURCESResources to share with customers: propanemarc.comWater heater online course: propanetrainingacademy.comWater heater online resources: KnowYourWaterHeater.com

Download and share the consumer materials available on propanemarc.com.

BROCHURES

Include your business card in each brochure, and distribute them on deliveries, as bill stuff ers, or at local events.

AD TEMPLATE

Customize this piece and place it in your newsletter or local newspaper.

AMERICA’S HOMES DESERVE BETTER.

THEY DESERVE PROPANE.Electric water heaters have been the standard for many homes — but now,

it’s time to pull the plug. Establish propane as the smart choice for customers by

using the Pull the Plug on Electric Water Heaters campaign tools and strategies

developed by the Propane Education & Research Council.

FOLLOW UPIt’s important to revisit with customers and keep propane top of mind. In light of the new NAECA standards, it’s also a great time to show them the video on KnowYourWaterHeater.com.

5084-FL-14

TAKE ACTION TODAY.

Tell them about the course “Residential Water Heaters Under the new 2015 Federal Standards” on propanetrainingacademy.com. Emphasize that those who take the course by December 1, 2015, could win a $250 gift card.

Survey your customers to fi nd out.

Attend local homeowners’ events and other association meetings.

DO YOU KNOW WHICH OF YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS?

YES NO

ARE YOU IDENTIFYING NEW CUSTOMERS?

YES NO

DO YOU HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH PLUMBERS AND/OR HVAC CONTRACTORS?

Network with local professional organizations to build relationships for the future.

YES NO

FACT SHEET BUNDLE

Download and share the fact sheet for your climate location.

RESOURCESResources to share with customers: propanemarc.comWater heater online course: propanetrainingacademy.comWater heater online resources: KnowYourWaterHeater.com

Page 25: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

25www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

Michigan’s large-capacity fuel lines, local energy production and access to storage also contribute to the state’s

low propane prices. Forecasters believe our country’s continued

increases in oil supplies will keep average propane prices low in Michigan and the Midwest region.

Propane Industry’s Rural Michigan Economic Impact

• $941,199,000 Million Contributes to Michigan’s GDP

• 320,522 Homes Are Heated By Propane

• Michigan consumes an astonishing 5% of the US’s Propane

• 387,279,000 gallons of Propane Used in Michigan

Most people think of rural Michigan, away from our great cities, as one big farm, solidly dependent on agriculture for its living. Yet manufacturing and service companies and industries like propane retailers who deliver home heating fuel have always been a key part of the rural economy. As farms consolidated and the farm population fell over the decades, factory jobs—often based on autos, food, and agricultural equipment—picked up the slack. Rural towns and counties depend on manufacturing even more than Midwestern cities, where service industries dominate.

Michigan Propane Industry Creates Green Michigan Jobs

Because propane is a low-carbon fuel, using it to replace conventional fuels could cause significant reductions in harmful emissions. Research shows consumer propane sales are expected to grow 9 percent over the next 10 years. Most of the growth will come from the propane engine fuel market.

For example, the Argonne National Laboratory has estimated that converting a vehicle from using conventional fuels to propane could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 10 percent. Already, a number of new facilities and community colleges are job-training the new workforce that will convert gas engines to propane engines.

While rural Michigan offers many opportunities, it also faces unique challenges in growing its economy and maintaining an educated and healthy labor force.

About 17 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural counties. The state’s propane industry is proud to be playing a role putting some of them to work. n

Rural Michigan’s Economy is Warmed Up By Propane

• Propane is the cleanest fuel, posing zero threat to soil, surface water, or groundwater.

• Propane is used to heat rural homes and water heaters, cooking and refrigerating food, clothes drying, and powering farm and industrial equipment.

• Propane has a high octane rating, making it an excellent choice for engines. The number of propane vehicles has surged in recent years, especially for fleet use. It is the world’s third most common transportation fuel.

• Farmers use propane for waste treatment, crop drying and weed control.

• Propane is used for powering micro-turbines, small turbines that generate electricity on site at homes or commercial businesses.

By Joe Ross

Continued on page 26

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1,239Jobs

74.5% residential

Consumer uses for propane

8.1% commercial

5.8%agriculture

homes heated bypropane in Michigan

320,522

= 15 million gallons

Economic Impact of Michigan’s Propane IndustryEconomic Impact of Michigan’s Propane Industry

$275,609,000Total direct value

added in Michigan

$941,199,000Michigan consumes an astonishing 5% of the US’s Propane.

387,279,000 Gallons of propane per year

Contributed to Michigan’s GDP

Source: Impact of the U.S. Consumer Propane Industry on the U.S. and State Economies in 2012. ICF International. Design by Communications & Research

Page 27: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

1,239Jobs

74.5% residential

Consumer uses for propane

8.1% commercial

5.8%agriculture

homes heated bypropane in Michigan

320,522

= 15 million gallons

Economic Impact of Michigan’s Propane IndustryEconomic Impact of Michigan’s Propane Industry

$275,609,000Total direct value

added in Michigan

$941,199,000Michigan consumes an astonishing 5% of the US’s Propane.

387,279,000 Gallons of propane per year

Contributed to Michigan’s GDP

Source: Impact of the U.S. Consumer Propane Industry on the U.S. and State Economies in 2012. ICF International. Design by Communications & Research

Page 28: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

28 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Propane Cars and Trucks Production Picking Up Speed

The conversion of many light- and heavy-duty conventional vehicles to propane is accelerating. It’s about time

considering autogas is a fuel that has been used in vehicles worldwide for decades.

According to the US Department of Energy, when compared with vehicles fueled by diesel and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

While custom-built propane vehicles can cost a few thousand dollars more than conventional fuel vehicles, the lower cost of propane can lead to a quick return on investment. Additionally, propane has a higher octane rating than gasoline, reducing the risk of engine knocking and potential damage.

Vehicle and Infrastructure Availability

A variety of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty propane vehicle models are available through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and select dealerships.

The Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act (“Propane GAS Act”) of 2011 offers significant economic growth, environmental and energy security benefits to the American economy, according to a study released today by the National Propane Gas Association.

Fuel Economy and Performance

Propane at primary infrastructure sites costs less per gallon than gasoline and offers a comparable driving range to conventional fuel. Propane has a higher octane rating than gasoline and potentially more horsepower, but its lower British thermal unit (BTU) rating per gallon results in lower fuel economy. However, the price per gallon can quickly offset the lower fuel economy.

The potential for lower maintenance costs is one reason behind propane’s popularity for high-mileage vehicles. Propane’s high octane rating, combined with its low-carbon and low oil contamination characteristics, has resulted in improved engine life compared to conventional gasoline engines. Because the fuel’s mixture of propane and air is completely gaseous, cold start problems often associated with liquid fuels can be reduced.

Continued on page 30

Dave Long

Over 5,000 Michigan Families found help paying their heating bills at:

HeatingMyHome.org

Warm&Safe

A Program by the Michigan Propane Gas Association

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29www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

Over 5,000 Michigan Families found help paying their heating bills at:

HeatingMyHome.org

Warm&Safe

A Program by the Michigan Propane Gas Association

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30 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

The Facts Point to a Positive Economic Impact

Recent studies show, the impact of ‘autogas’ on jobs and the economy will be significant. The growth in propane vehicle sales and use created by tax credits will generate an increase in economic activity that peaks at between $4 billion and $5.7 billion per year in 2016. That translates to between 30,000 and 42,000 new jobs created by 2016.

The study illustrates how propane used as a transportation fuel, known as ‘autogas’, can be a cost effective alternative to gasoline and diesel that can help address our nation’s environmental and energy security policy goals.

“Propane fueled vehicles are a big step forward in breaking our dependence on foreign sources of energy,” said Dave Long, president of the Michigan Propane Gas Association. Propane autogas is clean, widely available, affordable, and domestically produced. It’s a

practical choice for consumers today and an important tool for policymakers as Michigan and other states look for more options to improve our energy security.

Propane autogas vehicles and infrastructure are available right now and public and private fleets are seeing significant long-term cost savings. Having more than one alternative fuel can completely displace conventional fuels in the short term. Propane autogas provides our country with significant benefits and can have an immediate impact. n

Propane Cars and Trucks... continued from page 28

Propane fueled vehicles are a big step

forward in breaking our dependence

on foreign sources of energy.”

—Dave Long, President of the Michigan Propane Gas Association

Page 31: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

MPGA PACContribution Form

I agree that a strong political action committee is vital to the success of our efforts in Lansing. I want to help support candidates with responsible pro-business positions on issues affecting the propane industry.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELSSupporters of the MPGA PAC will be recognized in MPGA publications, MPGA Board Meetings and other

Association events. You are encouraged to join one fo the following recognition clubs.

Tank Member ≤ $100Bobtail Member $101 – $250

Transport Member $251 – $500P.I.G.S. Member ≥ $501

METHOD OF PAYMENTq Personal check enclosed for full amount (make checks payable to MPGA PAC)

q Please charge my personal credit card: q VISA q MASTERCARD q AMEX

NAME COMPANY

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE, ZIP

PHONE FAX

EMAIL

ACCOUNT#

EXP. DATE SIGNATURE

Please fill out and mail to:

Michigan Propane Gas Association, 1000 West St. Joseph Hwy, Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48915

Thanks for Your Support!

Page 32: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

32 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

From branding to Bernie to economics to

racism, a post-election wrap-up hosted

by MSU’s Michigan Political Leadership

Program Nov. 11 at the East Lansing Marriott

picked at the strands of a tangled knot of

reactions to the 2016 presidential election.

Some pundits credited President-elect

Donald J. Trump with a stronger branding

strategy than his Democratic opponent, Hillary

Clinton.

Darci McConnell of McConnell

Communications, said “Hillary never gave

people a reason to vote for her.” McConnell said

100 percent of Clinton’s ads were anti-Trump

until the last 48 hours of the campaign.

“I challenge anybody in this room to name

Hillary’s message,” McConnell said.

Rick Weiner, former chairman of the

Michigan Democratic Party, agreed with

McConnell, noting the low percentage of union

voters who went for Clinton. “We didn’t have a

compelling economic message in 2016, that’s

pretty clear,” Weiner said.

McConnell added a “knock” for the press.

“The dominant coverage through this

entire campaign was, who’s ahead in the polls,”

McConnell said. “No one ever really got a

chance to talk about real positions, real policy.

It’s non-stop horse race.”

Susan Demas of Inside Michigan Politics said

Trump “single-handedly turned around CNN.

It was wall-to-wall coverage, like the Malaysia

flight all over again.”

Kathy Hoekstra of The Detroit News agreed

that the media “helped prop him up.”

“There was something every hour,” Hoekstra

said. “They couldn’t turn their eyes away.”

Sen. Bernie

Sanders’ strong

Democratic

primary challenge

to Clinton was

brought up as a

major factor in the

general election

results.

Demas said

Sanders had

“authenticity and Trump was very clever to

build off of his message.”

Kaitlynn Buss of The Detroit News said

Sanders “had great success in the primaries,

and the Democrats made a huge mistake in

overlooking that, thinking his supporters would

fall in line behind Hillary.”

Much of the forum zoomed in on the

intersection of race and politics.

McConnell said Trump took advantage

of a racially motivated backlash against the

presidency of Barack Obama, instead of

distancing himself from it, as prior Republican

candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney had

done, and the strategy was successful.

“McCain pushed back, Romney pushed

back, Trump said, ‘C’mon,’” McConnell said.

Grossman said research has not pointed to

an increase in racial animus during the Obama

years so much as “concentration of those

attitudes within Republican Party voters.” That

“sorting” process, Grossman said, led up to

Trump’s victory in 2016.

Grossman said it was surprising that racial

attitudes could matter more in an election

following two elections with an African-

Michigan Pundits try to untangle a knotty election

By Derek Dalling, MPGA Executive Director

Rick Weiner

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33www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

American on the ballot, “but that’s what

happened.”

Wiener said that even if one concedes that

racial animus has not grown in the past decade,

“those that do have [negative views toward

African-Americans and Latinos] found it more

acceptable socially to verbalize it.”

Wiener said Trump voters are not

necessarily racist, but “those who put those

views into play” bear the “burden of putting the

genie back into the bottle.”

When another forum attendee lamented

that “nobody gives a damn about issues”

anymore, Wiener said that was “dead wrong.”

He said that the candidates’ campaign

slogans, from “drain the swamp” to “stronger

together,” contains a “basket of issues.”

“There are issues, and they’re being defined

by people other than you or I,” Wiener said,

referring to his fellow pundits and others who

could be defined as “elites.”

As to the future of state and national

politics, the pundits’ crystal ball was cloudier

than usual. Grossman wondered whether the

2016 election would mirror a 30-year trend

seen in the south, in which a white working-

class constituency moved “permanently” to the

Republican Party.

Weiner noted the tendency for the losing

party in a presidential election to bounce back

in the subsequent mid-terms. He predicted

that 2018 would be “a huge year for Democrats

nationally,” especially “if the president

missteps.”

The pundits also indulged in speculation

on the 2016 election’s impact on Michigan’s

upcoming 2018 gubernatorial election.

Grossman noted a “longstanding historical

pattern” where the party out of power in

the presidency has won 17 out of the last 21

gubernatorial elections, “and the losses were

near misses.”

In the near term, all of the panel members

predicted interesting times ahead.

“What happens with Republicans becoming

a governing party?” Grossman asked.

Until now, Grossman said, “they just had to

be against the Obama agenda, but now they

have to see what they can accomplish.” n

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34 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Wicked Weather or

The winter season is projected to bring higher than average precipitation. However, temperatures will fluctuate

around average or just below. Some snow will be presented in mid-November. There will be a mix of wintry weather in December and January; winter officially starts on December 21. However, temperatures won’t become frigid until February. Overall, we will experience a slightly mild first half of

winter, followed by a slightly more severe second half. Under each listed region is a glance at last year’s average monthly temperatures to be used as comparison to our upcoming colder season. These findings are in accordance to multiple weather prediction sources including NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Weather Underground, and the National Weather service.

Eric DoBrokaMeteorologist at WLUC—TV6 NBC

Upper Peninsula:“Last year, Upper Michigan was spared a severe winter but meteorologists warn not to expect that again this year. The latest projections indicate temperatures will trend colder than average with copious amounts of precipitation continuing into the winter.”

UPPER PENINSULA (2015/16)

November December January February March

Average High Temp. 58˚ 40˚ 32˚ 36˚ 46˚

Average Low Temp. 43˚ 14˚ -2˚ -4˚ 6˚

34 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

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35www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

Michigan will see a snowfall amount ranging from 20% to 25% above average.”

— Rob Guariro, Meteorologist, The Winter Forecast

Matt KirkwoodMeteorologist at WoodTV8—TV NBC

West Michigan:“We’re experiencing a trending La Niña pattern, which could result in colder temperatures as opposed to the El Niño pattern that brought us warmer temperature last winter. We can assume that the temperature along with our proximity to the Great Lakes will provide more snowfall than last year. Climate change and global warming will provide some seasonal transitions, resulting in the possibilities of: winter starting later, a white Christmas being up for debate, and the possibility of winter lasting longer than previous years.”

WEST MICHIGAN (2015/16)

November December January February March

Average High Temp. 55˚ 45˚ 32˚ 37˚ 50˚

Average Low Temp. 35˚ 32˚ 20˚ 21˚ 31˚

Dr. Jeff AndresenProfessor of Geography at Michigan State University

Mid Michigan:“Last year, we experienced a very strong El Niño pattern, which resulted in an unusually mild winter. In fact, last year was actually the 5th warmest winter season on record in the “mitten state”. This year however, we are forecasted to experience a milder intensity La Niña, which would bring us a cooler and wetter winter here in central Michigan. Also, it’s worth noting that long-term trends are providing us with the knowledge that the vast majority of the world is warming up, bringing us milder and warmer winters here in the Midwest.”

MID MICHIGAN (2015/16)

November December January February March

Average High Temp. 54˚ 46˚ 32˚ 36˚ 49˚

Average Low Temp. 35˚ 32˚ 20˚ 21˚ 31˚

35www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

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36 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION36 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

Chris EdwardsMeteorologist at WXYZ

Detroit—TV7 ABC

Southeast Michigan:“We’re experiencing a trending La Niña pattern, which could result in colder temperatures as opposed to the El Niño pattern that brought us warmer temperature last winter. We can assume that the temperature along with our proximity to the Great Lakes will provide more snowfall than last year. Climate change and global warming will provide some seasonal transitions, resulting in the possibilities of: winter starting later, a white Christmas being up for debate, and the possibility of winter lasting longer than previous years.”

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (2015/16)

November December January February March

Average High Temp. 53˚ 46˚ 33˚ 38˚ 50˚

Average Low Temp. 38˚ 35˚ 21˚ 23˚ 34˚

Andy SullivanForecaster at the National

Weather Service in Gaylord, MI

Northern Michigan:“We should be prepared to experience more snowfall this winter than previous years. Other than that, this winter should be nothing too extreme for the upper region of the Lower Peninsula. We will be experiencing more of mild first half of winter, with more winter weather progression during the later half.”

NORTHERN MICHIGAN (2015/16)

November December January February March

Average High Temp. 53˚ 44˚ 30˚ 34˚ 54˚

Average Low Temp. 35˚ 33˚ 20˚ 14˚ 18˚

Wicked Weather or Wonderland

Page 37: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

In January, there will be a Republican in the White House and the GOP will continue to control the House and Senate. But, what will

the Trump agenda be and how will it impact small businesses?

President-elect Donald Trump made immigration reform one of his most important campaign promises. He said he would build a wall between Mexico and the United States and that he would deport illegal or undocumented residents back to their home country. He has since modified his stance on deportation saying he would concentrate on sending back only those with criminal records. That means companies employing law abiding undocumented residents will not see their employees deported.

Another major plank in the Trump platform was opposition to trade agreements such as TPP and NAFTA. As former President George W. Bush said recently, NAFTA has created 30 million new American jobs. He and others fear that changes in trade policy will hurt the US economy. Since his election, both Canada and Mexico have expressed a willingness to re-negotiate NAFTA. My sense is that Trump will re-

Impact of the New Administration on

Michigan’s Small

Business

The ACA will

become more

efficient and will

use health saving

accounts… it will

not go away and

the changes will

likely benefit

small business.”

—Steve Mitchell

By Steve Mitchell

With change comes fear and/or opportunity.

Continued on page 38

37www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

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38 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

negotiate NAFTA for better terms and as much as he has attacked TPP, he will eventually sign a Trans Pacific Partnership.

Trump has pushed for a simplification of the tax code that will benefit business. Corporations and S-Corps maximum tax will fall to 15% and the highest personal income tax will fall from almost 40% to 33%. There is a fear that lowering the marginal tax rates will cause higher budget deficits, but Trump believes that by decreasing taxes there will be more capital going into the economy.

Health insurance has changed dramatically since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. The Trump Administration will likely repeal and replace it, but it will not cause the disruption that many fear. Trump told CBS’ 60 Minutes that the repeal and replacement would take place simultaneously. He said he wanted

to continue to allow young people below the age of 26 to be covered under their parents insurance and he wanted to assure that no one would lose coverage because of pre-existing conditions. His own vice president, Mike Pence, supported the expansion of Medicaid under the ACA as governor of Indiana. The working poor who benefitted from the expansion are key white voters; Trump will not turn his back on them. The ACA will become more efficient and will use health saving accounts and other conservative mechanisms, but it will not go away and the changes will likely benefit small business.

Regulations are the bane of a businessman. With Trump, you will see a wholesale retreat from the onerous regulations imposed on American business from the EPA and every other federal government department. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change will be gone as soon as Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th. This may be the greatest benefit that all companies will get from the new administration, relief from the job killing regulations imposed on them by the Obama Administration.

With change, we can either fear what is coming or hope that there will be real opportunity for small business and for the economy. I believe that the Trump Administration will be very helpful to the small business people who provide a significant number of the jobs in America. n

About the Author: Steve Mitchell is Chairman of Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. He has worked in more than 40 states for corporate, media, governmental, and association clients. He has served as an analyst and pollster to news media across the country and to the BBC, Financial Times of London.

Your questions answered by the people who know propane equipment.

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With change, we can either fear what is coming or hope that there will be real opportunity for small business and for the economy.”

Michigan’s Small Business... continued from page 37

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39www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

OVERTIME RULE

Change In Effect

With changes in overtime rules coming, marketers are about to have difficult payroll decisions to make at

their businesses come December. The new rules—announced by President

Obama in May—will require companies to pay overtime to salaried workers earning $47,476 or less, up from the current level of $23,660.

There are three main solutions for handling employees that are working high amount of overtime hours while shy of the $47,476 salary threshold:1. Raise the employee’s salary to an amount

slightly higher than the threshold making them exempt.

2. Switch their payment system from salary to hourly.

3. Forbid employees from logging overtime hours. One scenario that could come up is if you

have a full-time front desk supervisor who you

are paying hourly at $23 per hour ($47,840 per year). She habitually works overtime and last year you paid her $55,600. Assuming she meets the federal and state definitions to qualify as an exempt employee, do you want to re-classify her as exempt and pay the $47,840? How will this impact her behavior? Will she need a part-time person or more hours from other staff members to get the work done?

The biggest reason for the change according to the text of the rule is inflation. The share of full-time salaried workers qualifying for overtime fell from 62 percent in 1975 to about seven percent currently.

In addition to creating a higher salary threshold for overtime, the rule will also make the following changes: • The highly-compensated employee salary

threshold to qualify for the overtime exemption will be raised from $100,000 per year to $134,004 per year.

Continued on page 40

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40 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

• Up to 10 percent of the salary threshold for non-highly compensated employees to be met by non-discretionary bonuses, incentive pay, or commissions, as long as these payments will be made on at least a quarterly basis.

• The salary threshold will be updated automatically every three years, beginning on January 1, 2020, to keep up with inflation. The Department of Labor (DOL) is anticipating that beginning on that date the minimum salary threshold will be $51,168 for full-time salaried employees and $147,524 for highly-compensated employees.

The rule will be strictly based on annual salary with no differential for cost of living, average area compensation, or income tax rates. It will not change the “duties test” that determines whether salaried employees earning more than the salary threshold are eligible for overtime pay. The DOL estimates that fewer employers will have to use the “duties test” because the increase in the salary threshold means more employees’ exemption status will be clear from their salaries alone. n

OVERTIME RULE CHANGE... continued from pg. 39

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Page 42: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

42 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

F E AT U R E D M A R K E T E R

TJ Lancaster’s father owned a propane

company, Gaylord Gas, which operated

in Gaylord for some time. For more

than 20 years, Lancaster helped to maintain

operations within the business throughout

Otsego County and the surrounding area.

In the wake of his father’s retirement,

Lancaster was faced with a dilemma. His

immediate option from that point was to

work for a national and, innately, larger-scale

company. In refuting such a route, Lancaster

took steps toward establishing Alpine

Propane.

“I wanted to be a local company, so I

started my own company,” Lancaster said.

“Now I can be like we were when we started

Gaylord Gas. We can be a local, family-owned

company and take care of the customers the

way that they want to be taken care of—give

them that personal touch.”

It was an approach that would not have

been possible with a larger scale business

operating in multiple states. In order to make

his desire to provide quality service a reality,

Lancaster partnered up with Bill and Linda

Muzyl.

“Part of the reasoning there is they have

three sons; I have two sons, so between us

we have five boys … helping in the business as

well,” Lancaster said. “We have the boys going

out helping set tanks and deliver gas so we’re

getting them involved in the business, too.”

In addition to helping with the daily tasks

at Alpine Propane, the young gentlemen also

spent 10 hours a day for a week preparing

the logs that comprise the company’s main

office, making for a uniquely rustic, yet

inviting, appearance.

This aesthetic touch is a reflection of the

lifestyle that many of those who compose

Lancaster’s clientele actively pursue in

Northern Michigan. Many of these individuals

have opted to enjoy the natural beauty that is

offered in the rural regions of Michigan.

According to Lancaster, “Natural gas is

pretty much in all the cities and metropolitan

areas, where rural America is out in the farms

and the countryside, they don’t have natural

gas running down all those roads and propane

is the cleanest, most efficient way to heat your

homes … it’s just always going to be the fuel

of choice where natural gas isn’t available.”

To that effect, there is virtually no area

that is too remote within Otsego County

or the immediate area of the surrounding

counties for Alpine Propane to offer its

services.

Alpine Propane, LLC

• Opened August 1, 2014 by TJ Lancaster

• Locally Owned and Operated

• Two locations: Gaylord and Alanson

Page 43: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

43www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

F E AT U R E D M A R K E T E R

“If they can get in and out, there’s a way we can

get in and out … there hasn’t been many in 20 years

that I’ve ever had to say ‘we can’t do it,’” Lancaster

said.

Among the services that Alpine Propane offers

to its customers is the setting and maintenance of

propane tanks in a variety of applications including

businesses, homes, farms and hunting camps.

In addition, Alpine Propane has a dispenser that

individuals may use to refill small tanks for use with

grills or in hunting blinds.

“On the horizon, we will continue to expand,

striving to save customers both time and money.”

They also plan to continue helping the veterans,

local fairs, local festivals, and local causes that

concern the various communities they service.

Lancaster also promises a rapid response should

any issue arise with the propane services that his

company provides.

“If people need something and they want to

see me and … it’s urgent, I can be standing on their

front porch most of the time in 15 or 20 minutes,”

Lancaster said.

Among the aspects of Lancaster’s business that

he is the most passionate about is the fact that

Alpine Propane will always be transparent with its

customers, both prospective and active. Hidden fees

and the like will be something that Alpine Propane

will make it a point to shy away from.

“We’re going to be fair, honest and dependable,”

Lancaster said. “For anyone who uses propane …

you’ll be glad you came in because we’re going to

save you some money now and into the future.” n

The most rewarding aspect of

working in this business is

solving all of the unique issues

each customer faces on a daily

basis. Then getting all of the

Thank You’s from those

customers for saving their day!”

—TJ Lancaster

TJ Lancaster

Page 44: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

44 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

To join the MPGA PERN team or for more information, contact Marv Ockerman, PERN

Chairman, at [email protected]

Page 45: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

What could be What could be Okay, sure – winning the lottery would probably be better. So would not havingto deal with insurance at all! But since you didn't pick the winning numbers inlast week's drawing, you're likely to need to keep running that company. And that means dealing with insurance – for your business, for your employees, foryour future and your health. Not to mention your peace of mind. The good news is, insurance doesn't have to be painful! And we're putting our money where our mouth is by offering you a FREE insurance audit to proveit. It's designed to help you see where your coverages may be out of date (yes, we'd rather be golfing, too) and where your business may be vulnerable. It's alsodesigned to show you where your coverages are strong ... possibly too strong! ... as well as where it could be improved (is it lunch time yet?).

We take your business' insurance needs as seriously as you do. Which is whythe Michigan Propane Gas Association picked us as the one insurance companyto earn your board's endorsement (our sense of humor had nothing to do withit). And because your business is a member of the association, you can enjoyexclusive benefits offered only to MPGA members. Including custom coverages,favorable pricing, and priority service when you call. Plus, because we at Beckwith Financial Group have long-term relationships with a wide variety of providers, we can shop your coverages for you – so you always get the best deal. In fact, we've been helping businesses like yours save money on custom coverages for over 25 years. And have earned the reputation of trusted advisors throughout the state. For more information – and to participate in your free, no-obligation insurance audit, log on to the Michigan Propane Gas Association's web site and follow the quick link to receive information via e-mail. Or log on to directly to www.beckwithgroup. com and click the "request a quote" button for the type of insurance you're interested in. Or speak directly to one of our advisors by calling 1-800-237-5504. We're ready to help you take the worry out of your insurance world – so you can get back to the real world. Now wouldn't that make you happy?

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etter?

Page 46: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

46 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

F E AT U R E D S U P P L I E R

Propane Liquid Injection enables the vehicle

to exceed gasoline’s performance, torque,

drive-ability and cold weather starting. Icom

holds numerous patents on Propane Liquid Injection,

components and tanks.

Icom North America began in the USA in NYC in

2004. Icom opened its manufacturing Plant in New

Hudson, MI in 2008 to be near its OEM partners, to

domesticate the Icom System and to meet the growing

demand for the Icom systems. Icom expanded to a new

Technology, Training and Conversion Center building in

2014. At this facility Icom installs systems for fleets across

Michigan including: Metro Cars, DHL, many municipalities

including Livonia, Ypsilanti, Auburn Hills, shuttles and van

companies, and dozens of Michigan propane companies.

Metro Cars has hundreds of Icom propane vehicles in

Michigan. In addition CleanFUEL USA and Roush have

hundreds of propane school buses and trucks in Michigan.

Icom projects that there are approximately 1000 propane

vehicles in Michigan utilizing over 3 million gallons of

propane annually.

Industrial Propane Services in Byron Michigan

manufactures Propane Autogas Fuel Stations and builds

Propane Bobtails. Icom and IPS started the United

Propane Autogas Solutions Group (UPAS) to propel

propane Autogas gallons across the USA by making it

seamless for fleets across the USA to move to Propane.

Albert Venezio CEO of UPAS and Chairman of Icom

notes, “UPAS brings together the 4 legged stool for the

fleets: Propane Fuel Supply from a valid supplier, EPA

Icom North AmericaPropane Autogas Accelerates in Michigan and across the USA

Propane Autogas is accelerating in Michigan and across the USA. This acceleration is driven by key factors such as:

• The price differential between gasoline and propane at a wholesale (Autogas) level is often at about $1 per gallon.

• Propane Autogas allows the fleets to meet their green and sustainability goals.

• Propane Autogas allows the utilization of a domestic fuel source in these troubled times (energy security).

• Propane Liquid Injection is the key technology behind every USA OEM Project the last 12 years including school buses, shuttles, work trucks, bobtails, pickups and vans.

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47www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

F E AT U R E D S U P P L I E R

Certified Propane Systems for a large variety of

fleet vehicles, Propane Vehicle Installation and

Service from reliable Dealers and Propane Fuel

Stations from reliable manufacturers. Introducing

the entire project to fleets with strong UPAS

partners greatly increases the chances of the

fleets choosing Propane over other Alternative

Fuels and not staying in inertia (doing nothing). In

addition, it is very important for the Propane Fuel

Supply companies to utilize propane in their fleets

to enjoy the savings and for when their sales

people and work trucks arrive at the customer

burning the propane they are promoting. In

addition, the Propane Companies in UPAS enjoy

a discount for Propane Vehicle Systems and Fuel

stations from the partner vendors.”

Venezio further noted, “Regardless of UPAS,

we have an excellent nucleus of Michigan Fleets

utilizing Propane Autogas and dozens of excellent

Michigan Propane Supplier partners so let’s work

together to grow Michigan Fleets to utilizing up

to 8 Million gallons of Propane Autogas in 2017!”

Jeff Vandemark of IPS notes, “Propane Fuel

Dispensers sales across the US have increased

significantly in the last few months. It is exciting

for the propane industry. Our industry needs this

to happen. I strongly encourage everyone to get

involved and research Propane Autogas. There

are huge opportunities to increase your gallons

and customer base. We must approach this as

an ‘industry opportunity’ and work together to

make this a success. If we all focus on providing

safe equipment, a competitively priced product,

and reliable and affordable infrastructure and

conversion equipment, we will all benefit from

it. There are other alternative vehicle fuels being

introduced that have a lot of financial backing and

highly regarded reputations being introduced to

the market. None of these products comes close

to the benefits of using Propane Autogas. If we all

work together as an industry to promote Propane

Autogas, it will not only grow all of our gallons,

but it will also open up countless opportunities

for all of us.”

Propane Autogas is a vital element in

propane’s future. It is not alchemy. The Michigan

companies noted are successful at it across

the USA. n

Icom North America, LLC54790 Grand River Avenue

New Hudson, Michigan 48165www.icomnorthamerica.com

248-573-4934 • Fax: 248-573-4931

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48 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

McGathey Joins Independent Technologies, Inc.

President and CEO of Independent Technologies, Inc., Daryl

Ingalsbe, appointed Boyd H. McGathey as the new VP of Business

Development for WESROC Remote Monitoring Systems.

Mr. McGathey most recently served as Executive VP and COO at

Ferrellgas, the nation’s second largest retail propane marketer. While

responsible for all retail propane operations, McGathey also headed

Blue Rhino distribution and Ferrell North America, its all-encompassing

propane business unit.

Prior to Ferrellgas, Mr. McGathey was the West Division President

at Inergy Propane. He served as partner and COO for Liberty Propane,

the nation’s ninth largest propane company until it was acquired by

Inergy Propane in 2011. Mr. McGathey led Liberty Propane’s 38 retail

operations in 11 states and played a key role in business development,

growing the company from a small start-up into the ninth largest

propane company in the industry in less than six years’ time.

During a brief absence from the propane industry, Mr. McGathey

worked with security giant ADT, a Tyco International LTD company.

As General Manager, McGathey was recognized and awarded several

times for the successful turn-around of their Midwest operations.

W H AT ’ S N E W

Boyd H. McGathey, named VP of Business Development for WESROC©

Jaenicke Named NPGA Governmental Affairs Chairman

Tom Jaenicke, long-time member of the NPGA Governmental

Affairs Committee, will serve as committee Chairman for

the 2016-2017 association year. Jaenicke, along with Cindy

Platz-Belmont, Vice-Chairman, will lead this flagship committee as

they address policy issues ranging from autogas market growth to

enhanced agency outreach.Tom Jaenicke

Page 49: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

49www.USEMICHIGANPROPANE.com

W H AT ’ S N E W

DHT Logistics Announces Acquisition of Buckeye Transport Express LLC to Accommodate Growing Midwest Market

DHT Logistics is pleased to announce

the purchase of Buckeye Transport

Express LLC, located in New Holland

OH. The transaction is expected to be

immediately accretive and stands as proof

positive of the commitment to growing DHT

Logistic’s transportation business through

acquisitions that fit its’ current operating

model.

“We are thrilled to welcome Buckeye

Transport Express LLC’s, drivers and

customers to the DHT family,” said DHT’s

President Dave Hausbeck. DHT Logistics is

very excited to be growing in the Midwest

market, and we are very focused on being the

most reliable and committed transportation

company out there! Buckeye Transport

Express LLC is a strong, family-run business

and this complementary addition was a great

opportunity to even more rapidly grow our

footprint in the Midwest market.

Dan Preston, President—Buckeye Transport

Express LLC, also wishes to thank all of his

customers for their past patronage, and he is

confident that DHT Logistics will be the best

fit, not only for these customers, but also for

his own retail business.

“We look forward to serving you! If you

have any questions, please don’t hesitate to

give us a call!,” said Stephanie Davis, DHT

Sales & Marketing.

Dave Hausbeck, President—

DHT Logistics: (989) 239-6751

Jason Akers, Director Tank Division—

DHT Logistics: (616) 802-4644

Stephanie Davis, Sales & Marketing—

DHT Logistics: (513) 260-2884

Dan Preston, President—Buckeye Transport

Express LLC: (740) 572-1684

Flint Expands Autogas Fleet

The Flint Mass Transportation Agency

(MTA) recently expanded their

commercial bus fleet with 16 new

vehicles. The purchase was made possible

by utilizing Federal Transit Administration

funding (80%) and 20% local match. Flint

MTA is purchasing propane autogas at a rate

of 75 cents per gallon. They are also taking

advantage of the federal alternative fuel tax

credit that brings down the cost of fuel to 39

cents per gallon. n

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50 MICHIGAN PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

2 Signature Truck

8 Ray Murray, Inc.

10 Tank Truck Service & Sales UHY, LLP

13 CHS

15 Dave Hausbeck Transportation

17 IPS Equipment Inc./IPS Industrial Propane Service, Inc.

18 Gas Equipment Co., Inc.

19 Independent Technologies, Inc.

21 National Propane Gas Foundation Scholarship Fund

22 2017 MPGA Education Rebate

23 American Standard Manufacturing

24 MPGA Industry Outreach Rebate

29 MPGA SHOP Rebate

38 Bergquist, Inc.

41 Marshall Excelsior

44 MPGA PERN Rebate

45 Beckwith Financial Group

50 NPGA Women in Propane Council

51 General Agency Company

52 Smith Gas Liquids Company

Index to Advertisers

With social media alone, the campaign reached over 32,000 people with over 1,000 Facebook engagements resulting in nearly a thousand new views to the campaign site: HeatingMyHome.org n

PROPANE PRE-BUY CAMPAIGN... continued from pg. 15

Page 51: An Industry Service of The Michigan Propane Gas Association€¦ · Juliann Pardon is from Imlay City, Michigan. Juliann graduated high school in 2014. She is currently attending

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