Industry Members Make Presence Known on Capitol Hill

As Congress was busy preparing to break for the Memorial Day recess, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) was gearing up for its 12th annual Propane Days fly-in May 24 to 25. After taking care of NPGA’s internal business the previous day, the Propane Days attendees were eager to kick off the program. The day began with a breakfast briefing from NPGA’s legislative team on the issue “asks” for this year’s Hill visits. These included asking members to support the 34-hour restart provision for truck drivers; back propane autogas initiatives; oppose excessive entry-level driver training rules; and conduct a review of the Department of Transportation’s small pipeline system regulations.

Following this briefing, Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) was welcomed to the stage by New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) president Rick Cummings. Collins gave his take on what’s happening in Congress and explained why he was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president. After the congressman finished his remarks, incoming Governmental Affairs Committee chair Tom Jaenicke introduced the keynote speaker, Chris Wallace, host of “Fox News Sunday.” Wallace began with jokes about all of the presidential candidates before settling in to more serious insight and closing with a Q&A with propane industry attendees.

Once the morning program ended, NPGA’s members made their way to the Hill for office visits with their home state delegations. While the propane industry was obviously one of several groups doing a fly-in, it was clear that there was a great propane industry presence moving about the halls of the congressional office buildings. The annual Congressional BBQ Reception capped the day. The smell of barbecue emanating from the Rayburn Building Cafeteria seemed to entice a steady stream of staffers to the reception — nearly 850 people attended. This also included 28 members of Congress who stopped by to speak with their constituents who were in town for Propane Days.

Stuart Weidie, who was sworn in as NPGA chairman before the start of Propane Days, noted that although discussion took place among some industry members to consider holding Propane Days every other year, he believes the event should continue taking place annually. “I think it’s important for us to maintain a presence every year and maintain the relationships,” he explained. “You never know when big issues will come up, and you have to plan months and months ahead of time, so I think it’s a good idea to do that every year. Of course when there’s a hot issue, more people will attend, but it’s still good to have that presence every year. For the fact that there weren’t a whole lot of hot-button issues, I thought we had pretty good attendance.”

Regarding the state propane gas associations’ visits with legislators and their staff members, several members reported that their meetings with members of Congress and their staff were successful. Participating with the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association, John Eddinger of Eddinger Propane (Bally, Pa.) met with Pennsylvania congressman Ryan Costello (R-6, Pa.) and noted that Costello was very receptive to a National Academy of Sciences study concerning jurisdictional distribution systems. “I believe he will support the report of the study in the Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Bill this summer along with supporting extending the Alternative Fuels and Refueling Infrastructure tax credit,” Eddinger said, adding that Propane Days 2016 was his third meeting with Costello since they met at Propane Days 2015. Due to Eddinger’s initial meeting with Costello, Costello toured the Eddinger Propane plant, and after meeting with Eddinger in September 2015, Costello agreed to join the Propane Caucus.

“Congressman Costello has a much better understanding of propane and our industry now than he had at this time last year. I am pleased to have established, and plan to continue, our great relationship that began during Propane Days 2015,” Eddinger said. “I have consistently attended Propane Days for many years and met with numerous offices; however, due to continuing efforts throughout the year to develop a rapport with my congressman, Propane Days 2016 was, without a doubt, the most confident and comfortable I have been during a meeting. I sense that if you have a good relationship established with your congressman, he/she will do their best to personally meet with you. I certainly hope Congressman Costello is re-elected this November so I can continue to foster our relationship.”

Also with the Pennsylvania group, David Pennypacker of Superior Plus Energy Services met with Pennsylvania Rep. Bill Shuster and with a legislative assistant for Rep. Lou Barletta. “Both offices were receptive and favorable of the issues and concerns discussed,” Pennypacker noted. He added that this was his second time attending Propane Days, and because he met with Barletta’s legislative assistant at Propane Days 2015, he was more confident and at ease meeting with her again.

“I believe the consistency of (many) Propane Days in Washington, D.C. has given the propane industry name recognition and the voice needed ‘on the hill,’” Pennypacker stated.

News from other states:

• John Jessup of the North Carolina Propane Gas Association reported effective meetings with both of the state’s senators and with representatives from almost all 13 congressional districts.

• Tom Osina of the West Virginia Propane Gas Association reported that this was the 13th year in a row the association has sent a group to meet with its congressional delegation.