The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC) recently announced Tom Procter, MFA Oil director of service, has been elected to serve as its chairman. Procter and other officers were installed on Jan. 6, 2016, at the council’s winter meeting in Camdenton, Mo.
MOPERC is comprised of 15 volunteer directors and is administered by executive staff. The volunteer directors are propane industry representatives from across the state who serve in various capacities. Counting Procter, MFA Oil has two directors on the council. Tom May, MFA Oil director of employee relations, is also a MOPERC director.
MOPERC is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the Missouri legislature to administer a statewide checkoff program. Checkoff programs, also referred to as research and promotion programs, promote and provide research and information for a particular commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. The MOPERC checkoff collects funds through assessments of up to one-half-cent per gallon on all odorized propane sold in Missouri. The proceeds are used for industry training, consumer safety, appliance rebates and market development programs.
Since its inception, MOPERC has helped thousands of Missouri homeowners replace water heaters, furnaces and other appliances with new, more energy efficient models. The council created a groundbreaking Lawn Equipment Assistance Fund (LEAF) which has helped dozens of Missouri lawn contractors and landscape companies acquire propane-powered lawn mowers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on operational costs.