A group of retailer energy marketer safety and compliance professionals on July 29 announced formation of a “working group” that will act as a forum for safety and compliance discussions. It is set to begin this month and continue on a periodic basis.

This culminated following informal discussions over the past few months and was set into place on July 29 when the group held an “exploratory call” to discuss whether such an informal group would organize further.

The group will connect peers and offer a platform/forum to meet, exchange ideas, discuss policy initiatives and their implications, and share solutions to specific challenges common to those responsible for safety and compliance issues. The gatherings will be held via video chat.

“The concept for the Working Group is simple,” said Dave Latourell, director of safety and transportation at Paraco Gas. “An efficient, focused, easy-to-use environment for safety and compliance fuel professionals in the propane and heating oil spaces provides a vehicle for sharing of useful information we all need and use.”

The Group is reaching out to heating oil and/or propane retailer representatives located in, or with interests in, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. As an example, Group topics will include any and all issues of concern, including but not limited to regulatory and compliance issues stemming from:
  • U.S. Department of Transportation
  • U.S. Department of Labor
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Other federal agencies
  • Legislative initiatives: state, federal and local
  • Judicial proceedings and decisions: state and federal

The Group gatherings are planned to take no more than 30 minutes. The date of the Group’s first session has not yet been determined, but it is expected to be set in August.
There is no cost to participate. The Group will be reaching out to those persons within the heating oil and propane industries to invite them to participate in future meetings.
The following industry members participated on the July 29 call: Paula Laney director of safety and training, Energy Distribution Partners; Dave Latourell, director of safety and transportation, Paraco Gas Corp.; Shane Sweet, principal, Shane Sweet LLC; Ryan Quiggle, safety and compliance director, Superior Plus Propane; and Brian Savery, delivery, fleet, safety manager, Bournes Energy.

The Group will publish a link to an online form to allow interested industry members to register with the Group.
In the meantime, contact Shane Sweet at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or (802) 558-6101 cell-text, with questions.

SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, August 6, 2020. Weekly Propane Newsletter subscribers receive all the latest posted and spot prices from major terminals and refineries around the U.S. delivered to inboxes every week. Receive a center spread of posted prices with hundreds of postings updated each week, along with market analysis, insightful commentary, and much more not found elsewhere.