Council Approves Assessment Rate Increase & Publication of 2018 Budget Plan

At its meeting in Denver, Colo., July 11-12, 2017, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved an increase in the assessment of odorized propane to $0.005 per gallon, an increase of half of one-tenth of a cent per gallon from the current rate of $0.0045 per gallon, effective Oct. 1, 2017. The additional revenue that will be generated from this increase is projected to be about $3.3 million that will be used to fund PERC programs.

Also during the meeting, the Council approved the publication of its 2018 budget plan. The proposed PERC 2018 budget is now available online and the Council seeks public comment on its proposed 2018 budget at www.propanecouncil.org. Please review the budget and provide your comments regarding the budget plan by Sept. 15, 2017, 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Key objectives of the 2018 budget include supporting the product development work underway; strengthening outreach programs to marketers, decision makers, suppliers, dealers, and end-users in all markets; investing in the next generation safety and training programs; and proposing an integrated program to support growth in the residential homeowner market.

Additionally, PERC Council Chairman Tom Van Buren passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Drew Combs, CHS. Other Executive Committee members starting a one-year term include: Vice chairman, marketers: Rob Chalmers, Meritum Energy Holdings; Vice chairman, producers: Kasib Abdullah, BP; Treasurer: Randy Doyle, Blossman; Secretary: Daniel Dixon, AmeriGas.

The Council also welcomed two new members: Scott Brockelmeyer of Ferrellgas, and Gary France of France Propane Inc.

Near to the date of the 20th anniversary of the first Council meeting, Roy Willis delivered his valediction at the end of the meeting. PERC Chief Operating Officer, Tucker Perkins, will succeed Roy Willis as president and CEO of PERC at the end of July 2017.