Regulatory Affairs
NPGA provides members with a means to engage federal agencies in the development, revision, or withdrawal of federal regulations.
The propane industry is regulated by a complex network of federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In particular, the portable nature of propane and common delivery systems are heavily regulated by the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within DOT. Employee training and communication on emergency procedures for propane, as a hazardous material, are intricately regulated by OSHA and the Department of Transportation. In addition, the energy efficiency standards of the products powered by propane, like water heaters and furnaces, are regulated by the Department of Energy. Federal regulations are a regular, daily component of a propane business and propane businesses are able to shape these regulations by interacting with federal agencies through NPGA.