LP Gas, July 2018
46 LPGas July 2018 LPGasmagazine com photo by brian richesson Health Administration OSHA last delayed the compliance date The rule is unnecessary NPGA argues because the industry already offers programs for crane safety training and propane tank delivery and retrieval is unrelated to construction activities When it became clear OSHA was not interested in doing anything that was going to change the rule fundamentally write us out or help us avoid the worst pitfalls of third party certification the requirements for us to take control of the issue ourselves and drive it over OSHAs hurdles became very clear says Phil Squair senior vice president of public and governmental affairs NPGA has wielded every tool available to us in advocacy including opportunities on Capitol Hill in agencies and with the legal system Squair says It also prioritized the rule during Propane Days the industrys lobbying event in June Continued from page 45 the ISSUeS The National Propane Gas Association NPGA focused on four issues at the 2018 Propane Days lobbying event In addition to the crane rule here is a look at the other issues on which the industry lobbied congressional leaders Alternative fuel tax credits Alternative fuel tax credits are essential to the growth of propane as an alternative fuel NPGA says The alternative fuel tax credit the alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit and the alternative fuel mixture credit expired at the end of 2017 A long term extension of five years of these credits would help solidify customers in the private and public sectors who are considering buying alternative fuel vehicles NPGA says DRIVE Safe Act The DRIVE Safe Act HR 5358 would create an apprenticeship program for commercial truck drivers and help address the current driver shortage that threatens the industrys ability to deliver propane efficiently The DRIVE Safe Act would direct the secretary of transportation to issue regulations permitting an 18 to 21 year old commercial drivers license holder to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines both during and upon the completion of a two step apprenticeship program Jones Act The industry seeks an exemption for propane shipments under the Jones Act This maritime law mandates that only American made flagged and crewed ships can transport cargo between U S ports but there are no Jones Act compliant propane cargo vessels Such a waiver NPGA says would improve the energy security of American citizens by allowing the industry to serve U S regions during peak demand conditions and possible supply disruptions The Jones Act only serves to reduce the options available to propane shippers for serving American consumers NPGA says NPGAs advocacy team discusses the issues for Propane Days attendees ahead of meetings on Capitol Hill The team from left is composed of Phil Squair Mike Caldarera Sarah Reboli and Michael Baker PROPANE DAYS Continued on page 48
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