PERC offers new online safety tool

Ward

Consumer safety messages are available for retailers to use with company brochures, newsletters, invoices, meter tickets or bill stuffers to distribute safety messages to propane customers.

The new documents were developed using the language and instructions presented in Propane Education & Research Council consumer safety brochures and booklets.

The documents are available in five configurations for use in various customer communication materials. They can be downloaded in PDF or JPG formats and are available in color and black-and-white.

The documents and a user guide can be viewed by clicking on the "Consumer Safety Message Documents" link at http://www.propanesafety.com/. The guide provides instructions to help retailers or print vendors access and download all of the documents.

Study: Flaming helps with milk production

Propane-fueled flaming for bedding on dairy farms may increase daily milk production as much as 2.9 pounds per head, a research study funded by Propane Education & Research Council found.

The 10-week study, conducted by the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at Mississippi State University, tested the impact of propane-powered flaming on sand bedding for lactating dairy cows.

Preliminary results show that flaming reduced pathogens at the sand surface. Cows housed on the treated beds produced milk with fewer somatic cells and reduced milk conductivity, suggesting a decline in sub-clinical mastitis. The increase in milk production alone was estimated to improve the dairy's production by almost $13,000 for the 403 treated cows.

"We want to perform additional research to substantiate our initial results, but we think this propane-based technology could have a significant impact on the dairy industry," said Terry Smith, researcher at Mississippi State.

The study began in June 2007 and was conducted at North Florida Holsteins in Bell, Fla.

American Welding & Tank increases prices for all product lines

Gorny

American Welding & Tank LLC announced price increases effective May 15 covering all propane tank product lines.

The new price schedules will reflect a 7.5 percent increase for new tanks and a 3.5 percent transportation surcharge. Refurbished and pre-owned tank price increases will range between 0-3 percent and will also be subject to a 3.5 percent transportation surcharge.

Orders placed May 7-14 for delivery before June 30 will be at the April 1 pricing. Deliveries in June will be subject to the transportation surcharge. Orders placed after May 14 for delivery between July 1 and Aug. 1 will be subject to the new May 15 price schedules. Those scheduled for delivery after Aug. 1 will be subject to prices and surcharges in effect at time of shipment and steel availability.

Orders placed prior to May 15 will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis contingent upon available inventory and manufacturing capacity at time of order.

Customers with open orders will be contacted to discuss the impact of unannounced raw material or transportation cost increases on existing orders.

Wisconsin governor signs bill with new rules for propane

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed new legislation that changes the way propane companies work, WBAY-TV in Green Bay reported.

Suppliers and construction companies must follow new rules when dealing with propane, and the law creates?a communication system for underground gas lines.

The bill was authored after a construction crew severed a propane line. The leak went unnoticed until a deadly explosion in July 2006 that killed two people at the Cedar Grove Resort in Ellison Bay and destroyed three buildings, including the nearby Pioneer?Store.

Now suppliers have to provide a hotline with locations of propane tanks and pipes. They also have new licensing and training requirements, and suppliers must carry liability insurance.