NDPGA State Director & Propane Instructor Ken Kraft Honored

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1 September 2017 ND Propane Gas Association NDPGA State Director & Propane Instructor Ken Kraft Honored Ken and Gloria Kraft with many of their children and grandchildren. A well organized event took place this summer. Gloria Kraft, along with her children, grandchildren and a little help from me, planned a surprise for Ken Kraft at the June Propane Convention. Ken was honored for 25 years of service to the ND Propane Gas Association. The event took place in Medora, ND. You can only imagine how hard it was to hide 20 Kraft family members in the tiny town of Medora! It was also Ken and Gloria Kraft s 50th wedding anniversary. We knew Ken was surprised when we left him speechless. Some history behind Ken s career: Certified Employee Training Program was created in John Larson director of continuing education at North Dakota State School of Science and propane marketer Bill Kellner Grand Rapids, MN, had the first propane training class in 1986 in Minot, ND before it was officially named CETP. It was a five-days covering basic propane delivery and tank setting. Bill Kellner taught the class and Ken Kraft was an attendee. Bill Kellner got sick in the middle of propane training in He was airlifted to Mayo Clinc. Ken Kraft worked for Behm s Propane at that time and they volunteered him to finish teaching the class and he has since been the instructor. Ken was on the ND Propane Gas Association board in In 1994, Kraft became the NDPGA State Director. He still holds the position and he is also on: NPGA Board of Directors NPGA CETP Certification Committee PERC Safety Working and Technical Training Group

2 NDPGA Executive Committee President Scholarship Coordinator Dale Beck Dakota Plains Ag Vice-President Lyle Stevens Horizon Resources Secretary/Treasurer Dan Marler Ferrell North America State Director Ken Kraft NDPGA Board of Directors Darin Adolphsen LPG & NH3 Inc. Lee Fitterer Fitterer Oil & Gas Darrin Johnson Northdale Oil, Inc. Jim Renke Southwest Grain Steve Ketterling Farmland Coop Dan Erbes FEI Inc Joe Fouhy Farmers Union - Beulah Dave Walth Gray Oil Jason Behm Behm Enterprises Staff Executive Director Mike Rud Office Manager Mary Nagel ND Propane Gas Association 1014 E Central Avenue Bismarck, ND Phone: Page 2 Valued NDPGA Members: Your Association had another outstanding summer conference in Medora. Mary has tried to capture all of the highlights of the June meeting in this newsletter. We were honored to have NPGA Chairman Jerry Brick and his wife attend the event. As usual, the two-day event was information packed and filled with key networking time for marketers. NDPGA has been busy meeting with key players in the industry this summer. In late June, NPGA s natural gas expert and legal counsel, Jeff Petrash was in Bismarck. We met with ND Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak to discuss state and federal subsidizing of natural gas projects in rural America. This was a very good meeting for the industry as well. Petrash was able to offer Commissioner Fedorchak a very clear understanding of why state governments need to stay out of any free energy market expansions. In July, several board members met with ND Senator Heidi Heitkamp in Bismarck. NDPGA members spent a good hour hour filling Heitkamp in on issues like LIHEAP, the BAT tax and most importantly, improving the propane delivery structure. In particular, industry representatives stressed the need for more accurate propane supply data. The marketplace makes its best decisions when it has the most complete knowledge of an issue, but the government has not kept pace with the changes to the energy infrastructure, namely the extent of exports of propane. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) tracks and publishes data on propane inventories and days of supply. However, EIA does not include export volumes in their calculation of days of supply, causing confusion in the marketplace. Requiring EIA to alter their days of supply reports in this manner would give policymakers and the industry the most accurate supply picture possible. NPGA tracks inventory trends and days of supply, and includes exports in the calculations. Compared with NPGA data, EIA s reports are overly optimistic compared with what s really the case in the nation. If there s one thing we need, its government and private data being comparable. The Senator heard the message and as you can see by the attached letter has been promoting NDPGA s request around DC. NDPGA has also learned Heitkamp reached out to several MN congressional leaders to get the legislative ball rolling on preserving the LIHEAP program. NDPGA is currently in the process of lining up potentially another State meeting with Congressman Cramer sometime in late September. Details are still being worked out. We had some much needed rain over large portions of the state in the last month. The same can t be said for Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those devastated by that horrific storm. Hope to see you all at the tradeshow in October. Until then, keep the flame lit! Propane Exceptional Energy

3 NDPGA Scholarship Recipients Stacia Lynn Wagner Propane Supplier Curtis Rud Oil - New Salem It s my great pleasure to accept this scholarship that you are offering me. This scholarship will help me out financially as I pay for my own college throughout the next four to six years. I would like to hank you so much for giving me this great opportunity, I really appreciate it. My chosen field of study is the medical field as a registered nurse and advance to a physician s assistant. I chose this field because I love to help people in need. While working at White Drug and Prairie Rose Assisted Living, I got to experience the role for caring and helping all aged people. I feel I have a strong personality and lots of patience. My goal as a physician s assistant would be to work in the neonatal unit with infants. The advantage about the medical field is all the opportunities for advancement. I look forward to pursuing my goal in this career. Sincerely, Stacia Wagner I would like to thank everyone for this opportunity. I'm incredibly grateful that I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive this scholarship award. I look forward to my time at UND and strive to succeed in becoming a Developmental Pediatrician. Again, thank you for everything! Sincerely, Madison Lounsbury Propane Supplier Rud Oil & Propane - Center Madison Lounsbury September 2017 Page 3

4 Action Required for CFATS 2.0 Propane facilities with more than 60,000 pounds of propane are required to participate in the CFATS program, which originally began in Marketers should have submitted a Top Screen application back when the program initially rolled out about 10 years ago, but DHS recently revised the program (CFATS 2.0) and is requiring that all applicants resubmit initial applications. We remind propane facilities of revised requirements by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) software, specifically on the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. Propane facilities may be contacted by DHS in regards to the CFATS program and should carefully review instructions. DHS may contact propane facilities by mail, , or telephone to notify the facility of the requirement to resubmit information to the CFATS program. DHS rolled out an updated analytics program - termed CFATS to provide more accurate analysis of facilities and potential threats; and, therefore, identify facilities that may or may not require continuing participation in the CFATS program. The update may cause some facilities to submit different information on Top Screen applications, Security Vulnerability Assessment applications, and Site Security Plan applications. Initially, CFATS requires submission of a Top Screen application for each facility with over 60,000 pounds of propane. More information on the CFATS program and the revisions is available here: Please direct questions to Sarah Reboli, Director of Regulatory Affairs, or Mike Caldarera, Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Services. Page 4 Propane Exceptional Energy

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6 CETP Registered Skills Evaluator Number Beginning October 1, 2016, all CETP Skills Assessments are required to have a registered Skills Evaluator number in order to be processed. ITS will not process any Skills Assessment received without the registered Skills Evaluator number on October 1, 2016 and thereafter. The cost of the Skills Evaluator Training is $75 and the registration will remain current for 3 years. If you have questions, please contact Janet at Industrial Training Services at (270) The following steps will guide you the through the process of the Skills Evaluator Training: Login to the OnBoard LMS at If you have been a stakeholder company in the Castle system or have previously taken CETP exams you are already set up in the system. User Name: your last name + last 4 digits of your social security number example: Smith1234 Password: first initial of your first name, first initial of your last name + last 4 digits of your social security number example: bs1234 If you have never done either, go to and register as a new user. Click on the Proctor/Skills Evaluator Training Instructions to review the step-by-step guide for Purchasing your own Proctor Training/ Skills Evaluator Training. Skills Evaluators completing their training and passing their exam will be given a Registered Skills Evaluator Number to be used on all Skills Assessment Affidavit forms. Page 6 Propane Exceptional Energy

7 Take a moment and check through your employee files. You should have certification documents for their training. Look today! If you do not have certificates - your employees may NOT be certified. Do NOT assume they are certified. To check on the status of your CETP records, please contact Industrial Training Services at Industrial Training only has records of Certified Employee Training Tests. They do not have records of HazMat or refresher training. They can reprint your employee s certificates for a minimal fee. Do You Have An Emergency Response Phone Number? response phone numbers. If you have an audit from DOT, they will call your 24 hour emergency response telephone number. If your account subscription is not current, you could be fined $32,500. US DOT requires that every shipper of hazardous materials/wastes provide emergency response information to accompany the shipping documents and to also provide a 24 hour emergency response telephone number. This number must be operated by a person who is knowledgeable of hazardous materials/wastes being shipped and has comprehensive emergency response and incident mitigation information 49CFR and.604. The fine for not having an active emergency response contact number is $32,500. These 800 numbers are not free to use - there are yearly fees of up to $ A shipper must pay a yearly fee to utilize emergency Is your account up to date? Call your emergency response number now and check it out! If you are not current on your 800 phone number call NDPMA today. NDPMA has negotiated a reduced rate for members of only $115 per year with INFOTRAC. INFOTRAC can also provide you with MSDS information storage and retrieval and shipping papers. INFOTRAC will also provide answers to regulatory questions for their customers. Their staff is well versed in the regulations and will research any questions or problems. Employees, drivers, whomever needs help, can call INFOTRAC. Page 7

8 Jerry Brick Assumes NPGA Chairmanship SD State Director Jerry Brick and his wife Susan ND State Director Ken Kraft and his wife Gloria industry members during his travels to state association meetings. Jerry Brick, Propane Operations Manager of North Star Energy LLC in Aberdeen, South Dakota, assumed the role of Chairman of the National Propane Gas Association during the annual meeting of the NPGA Board of Directors on Monday, June 19, He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role with more than 40 years of service in the industry. Jerry has served in numerous capacities on the NPGA Board of Directors including the South Dakota State Director, Executive Committee, and all officer positions. During his time as Chairman, he plans to focus on continuing unity and integration between NPGA, PERC, and the state associations and promoting propane as a clean, safe energy source. Jerry is looking forward to meeting with The officer slate for was also confirmed at the Board of Directors meeting. Chris Earhart, President of Dixie Gas & Oil in Verona, Virginia will serve as Chairman Elect, Randy Thompson, President and CEO of Thompson Gas, LCC, will serve as Vice Chairman, and Denis Gagne, Vice President Wholesale at Eastern Propane Gas, Inc. will serve as Treasurer. Page 8 Propane Exceptional Energy

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10 67 th Annual ND Propane Gas Association Meeting & Convention Stephanie Balmer Industrial Training Phil Squair NPGA Stuart Flatow from PERC knows how to put humor in education Dale Beck presents Immediate past President Dave Walth with a plaque for his four year reign as NDPGA President. Dave is starting his tenth year on the NDPGA board of directors. Page 10 Propane Exceptional Energy

11 NDPGA Inducts Jim Berntson to the Hall of Fame Jim Berntson and Family At the propane convention in June, Jim Berntson was inducted into the propane hall of fame. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and taught for 6 years before entering into the propane industry. Jim began his propane career at Ellison Enterprises along with his wife Sharee. He was a member of NDPGA for 30 years and also served on the board of directors. Jim is also in his 41 st year at the Sanborn Fire Department. When North Dakota adopted National Fire Protection Association code, below grade propane appliances were not allowed. That meant no furnaces or propane water heaters would be allowed in basements. Jim was very instrumental in getting this changed. Jim also worked as an advisor helping to set up the first ground rules for the LIEHP program. Congratulations Jim and welcome to the Hall of Fame! Page 11

12 Council Approves Assessment Rate Increase Meeting in Denver, CO, mid July, the Propane Education & Research Council approved an increase in the assessment to $0.005 per gallon of odorized propane, an increase of half of one-tenth of a cent per gallon from the current rate of $ per gallon, effective Oct. 1, The additional revenue is projected to be about $3.3 million for programs. VIDEO: A Common Task is Not Immune from Accidents Filling portable cylinders may be a common task in our industry, but it s still a good idea to review best practices on a regular basis to help avoid accidents. This week s video helps you do just that. Watch the video Page 12