respond | preferences | login | unsubscribe

Dear PEI Member:

PEI is now soliciting comments on its recommended practice for the Installation of Bulk Storage Plants (PEI/RP800).

A printed copy of the draft will be mailed to all PEI members in the United States and Canada. However, anyone interested in reviewing and commenting on the draft document before publication can download a copy and submit comments online from PEI's web site at www.pei.org/RP800. Comments are due to PEI by Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

In recent years, factors such as the increased emphasis on environmental protection, state and federal regulations, and safety considerations have necessitated that bulk plants be carefully planned and constructed. Until now, however, the lack of universal, uniform installation standards have hampered that effort. It is anticipated that contractors following this recommended practice will maximize bulk plant system efficiency, prevent surface and groundwater contamination, minimize environmental hazards, reduce safety hazards, and avoid practices that needlessly increase installation costs.

The practices are the consensus recommendations of members of the PEI Bulk Plant Installation Committee which include Terry D. Cooper (chairman), Acterra Group; Georges Boyazis, Innovative Petroleum Products; A. Roy Creley, Lakes Region Environmental Contractors; Wayne Geyer, Steel Tank Institute; Doug L. Jones, Pump Masters Inc. of Texas; Mark Lipa, Neumayer Equipment Company; Dave MacDonald, Prevent-A-Spill; Bill Morgan, Collins Equipment Corporation; Charlene Numrych, Liquid Controls; Brian Savage, Savage Associates, Inc.; John Steward, Blackmer - A Dover Company; and Rick Zillig, Morrison Bros. Co.

Respond to this Newsletter

by e-mail to the editor, Robert Renkes at rrenkes@pei.org

or join the discussion in the Petroleum Equipment Forum

to unsubscribe or change preferences see below.

HYDROGEN FUEL
Exxon Mobil is partnering with QuestAir Technologies, Plug Power, and Israel's Ben Gurion University to commercialize on-vehicle hydrogen production systems for use in a fuel cell-powered lift truck. Under the arrangements, Plug Power will commercialize technologies developed by Exxon Mobil, QuestAir and Ben Gurion University that take liquid fuel–gasoline, diesel, ethanol or biodiesel–and convert them into hydrogen onboard the vehicle where it will be used in a fuel cell power train. "By developing a system that converts liquid hydrocarbons into hydrogen directly on a vehicle without the need for storage, we hope to demonstrate significant infrastructure, logistics and cost advantages compared to other hydrogen vehicle systems," said Emil Jacobs, vice president of Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering.
Honda said earlier this month that its new FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle will be available for lease to customers in Southern California in mid-2008. The FCX Clarity will be available for lease for three years at a price of $600/month. The vehicle has a fuel economy of 68 miles per gallon and a range of 270 miles.

PENNSYLVANIA NEW TANK LAW NOW IN EFFECT
Amendments to Chapter 245 dealing with storage tanks took effect November 10 when final rulemaking appeared in Volume 37, Number 45 of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. An excellent summary of the changes is available here. Some of the key changes of interest to PEI members include:

• Re-regulating large aboveground heating oil tanks (exempted in 1996) with greater than 30,000 gallons of capacity where the product is consumed on the premises where stored.
• Regulating biodiesel, synthetic fuels and fluids (motor oils), and ethanol intended for blending with motor fuel.
• Simplifying site-specific installation permit processes for certain aboveground tanks.
• Requiring secondary containment for new or replacement underground tank systems (tanks, product piping and/or dispensers).
• Requiring routine monthly monitoring of sumps, product piping and the interstice of double-wall tanks.
• Placing an increased emphasis on training and standards of performance in the Installer, Inspector and Company Certification Program.
• Requiring line leak detectors with automatic pump shutoff device for new and replacement underground pressurized piping.
• Precluding the internal lining of underground storage tanks.
• Requiring underground piping that is tightness-tested after November 10, 2008, for routine release detection monitoring be performed by a DEP certified UTT installer/tester.
• Requiring spill containment buckets and sumps on underground storage tank systems be tested for liquid tightness at installation, replacement or repair, and the test record be retained.

BRIEFLY NOTED
Husky Corporation, Pacific, Missouri, has announced the winners of the company's annual sales awards. Winner of the President's Award is Red Leonard Associates, Inc. The Organization of the Year Award goes to S&R Sales, Inc. The award for Best Individual Performance was given to Juan Vazquez of Rice Christ, Inc.
The Ohio Petroleum Contractors Association has recently elected John Dzwonczyk of JGD Associates, Avon Lake, Ohio, to its board of directors.
PetroSun West LLC has purchased 95 of Time Oil's convenience stores located in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. Time leased the stores to independent operators.

SUMMARY OF PEI CONVENTION SURVEY
Many thanks to all those who attended our convention in Atlanta and have taken the time to respond to our online survey sent mid-November. The areas receiving the most positive feedback were the exhibit hall set-up and separation from most of the convenience store merchandise. Also receiving high marks were the education sessions and the inclusion of all session handouts in the convention program. Social networking events and improved bussing made the list as well.

The two biggest negatives were the legibility of the badges and running out of food at the membership lunch. Both are correctable. The convention hotels also took a hit. There were mixed feelings about Atlanta as a convention city. This, of course, is a decision that NACS makes, but we will provide your feedback to them.

We will publish all survey results on our web site once we get them tabulated and summarized. All responses to the survey will be reviewed by the Convention and Exhibitor Advisory Committee when it meets in February. Suggestions made for education sessions will be reviewed by the Education Committee which also meets in February. Your candid feedback is very much appreciated.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Georgia consulting engineering firm. Ridge Environmental Solutions, Inc., 225 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock, Georgia 30188, has applied for affiliate division membership. Nathan Curry is vice president of business development for the firm, which was established in 1997. Ridge not only performs environmental assessment and remediation services, but also implements environmental solutions for clients throughout the United States. Sponsored for PEI membership by Joey D. Batchelor, GuardTech, Jacksonville, FL.
Georgia installation and service company. C & J Services of Augusta, Inc., 2333 Old McDuffie Road, Augusta, Georgia 30906, has applied for affiliate division membership. John R. Durst is secretary-treasurer of the firm, which was established in 1990. Sponsored for PEI membership by F. Jeff Futrelle, MecoAgusta, Augusta, GA.
Maryland service company. Service Station Repair LLC, 7881-C Beechcraft Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879, has applied for affiliate division membership. Alex Daneshpour is the general manager of the firm, which was established in 2005. Service Station Repair services petroleum equipment. Sponsored for PEI membership by Mike Burgess, DurEquip, Fort Wayne, IN.
Oklahoma fiberglass tank repair firm. AAA Fiberglass Repair, 4311 SW 119th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73173, has applied for affiliate division membership. James W. Kringlen is owner of the firm, which was established in 1992. The company repairs and modifies underground and aboveground fiberglass tanks and installs fiberglass piping. Sponsored for PEI membership by Barry Broderson, DominoEqp, Clinton, OK.

ADMITTED TO PEI

• Titan Oil & Gas Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia (dis)
• C & M Equipment, Inc., Watkinsville, GA (dis)
• Northern Steel Industries, Tisdale, SK (mfr)
• Dhehyun E&I Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea (aff)
• Integrated Cleaning Systems, West Palm Beach, FL (aff)
• Stratema Industria e Comercio Ltda., Guarulhos, Brazil (aff)
• Rick's Petro Service, Blue Springs, MO (aff)
• Kardtech Inc., Brampton, ON (aff)
• Titus Pump Service, Longview, TX (aff)
• StarCo EnviroServices, Inc., Bay City, TX (aff)
• Dynamis, Inc., Knoxville, TN (aff)

©2007
Petroleum Equipment Institute
P. O. Box 2380
Tulsa, OK 74101-2380

The TulsaLetter (ISSN 0193-9467) is published two or three times each month by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. Robert N. Renkes, Executive Vice President, Editor. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the Editor. Basic circulation confined to PEI members.