Heath and Associates, Inc. is proud to announce our membership with Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) as an Offset Aggregator. Heath and Associates is offering to assist landfill gas owners with the transaction of carbon offset credits for qualifying Landfill Gas-to-Energy (LFGE) projects or on-site methane destruction. Heath and Associates is the first offset aggregator to specialize in methane destruction for CCX.

About Chicago Climate Exchange Inc.

CCX is a self-regulated exchange that administers the world's first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and trading system. CCX represents a cross-section of major public and private North American corporations, municipalities, and other institutions, as well as non-industrial environmental innovators. CCX enables members to receive credit for reductions, and to buy and sell credits to determine the most cost-effective means of achieving emission reductions. CCX serves as an efficient emissions management and monitoring system, while providing the knowledge and experience needed for both the short and long term, as the world faces the GHG emission reduction challenge.

Heath and Associates Inc.

As an offset aggregator, Heath and Associates serves as the administrative representative on behalf of the landfill gas owner. Heath and Associates offers several services to assist landfill gas owners to facilitate carbon offset credit transactions. Initially, we will validate the project or landfill action eligibility and certification according to CCX regulations. Heath and Associates will manage the CCX required verification process of the emission reduction action or project. On behalf of the offset provider, Heath and Associates will register the offset credits, receive offsets into a CCX registry account, and execute the sale of offset credits on the CCX trading platform. Other account management activities include the management and verification of annual attestation accumulations, manage offset provider’s CCX reserve account, and account reconciliation. Heath and Associates will monitor the industry-related news and the market value of the provider’s credits. Heath and Associates will make trades in appropriate size blocks and hope to provide the best possible value for the offset project or landfill action. Heath and Associates will manage the receipt and delivery of the offset credit revenue to the offset provider.

If you are interested in Heath and Associates Offset Aggregator services, please contact Mr. Kelly Kinnett P.E. at 877/252-2347 or kelly@heathweb.com. Heath and Associates can provide any information that you may need concerning CCX, carbon credit offsets, or landfill methane destruction projects or actions.  Please visit www.heathweb.com/ccx.html for additional information.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and landfill gas owners to produce successful greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.
 

Press Release: 

May 25, 2006

Shelby, North Carolina

Heath and Associates, Inc. Offers Public Awareness Plans and Related Consulting Services to Gas System Operators.

Heath and Associates Inc., is offering to assist operators in the development of a Public Awareness Program for their system that will be required by 49 CFR Part 192.616 as of June 20, 2006.  Heath and Associates has a long history of assisting operators with the development of other regulatory compliance programs such as Operations and Maintenance Plans, Operator Qualification Plans, and Integrity Management Programs. 

Background

Under the regulations, operators of gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities must carry out continuing programs to educate the public on:  

• The use of a One-Call notification system prior to excavation, and other damage prevention activities;
• The possible hazards associated with unintended releases from the pipeline facility;
• The physical indications that such a release may have occurred;
• What steps should be taken for public safety in the event of a pipeline release; and
• How to report such an event.

Operators must include in their programs activities to advise affected municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents located near pipelines. Of significance is the requirement that operators must review their programs for effectiveness and enhance the programs as necessary.

Heath and Associates Assistance

• Supplemental text to address requirements of API RP 1162 and Part 192.616.
• Justification language for non-compliance to RP 1162.
• Guidelines and self-audit measures that assist operators with implementation of a Public Awareness Program.
• Sample Materials for distribution.
• Provisions for measuring effectiveness and documenting the results.
• A series of forms to document the plan implementation.

If you are interested in Heath and Associates assisting you with the customization of your PA Plan, please contact Scott Heath at 877/252-2347.  Heath and Associates can provide a complete, customized PA Plan, or supplement your efforts to develop your own PA Plan format.

We appreciate the opportunity to present this service to you.  Heath and Associates regulatory compliance manuals (O&M, OQ, and IMP) are highly respected by various State Public Service Commissions and we believe that our Public Awareness Plans will be also.

We invite you to inquire about our services at your convenience.

Press Release:

May 24, 2006 

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Becomes LMOP Industry Partner 

Heath and Associates, Inc., has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) to become an Industry Partner.  Heath and Associates 46 years of experience in designing, constructing, and operating natural gas pipelines is a needed service in the evolving landfill gas utilization industry.  Heath and Associates will also extend their consulting services related to feasibility studies, cost estimating, economic development/industry recruiting, and negotiation of supply contracts with end users to landfill owners to identify potential projects. 

Together Heath and Associates and the EPA, through LMOP, are working to encourage development of landfill gas energy projects.   LMOP helps project developers, utilities, landfill owners/operators, and energy users exchange information about using landfill gas.  LMOP brings together key parties in project development to make sure the gas is utilized and not wasted. 

For more information on how Heath and Associates can bring value to a landfill gas project, call 1-877-252-2347.   To find out more information about LMOP or how you too can benefit from the use of landfill gas, call the toll-free LMOP hotline at 1-888-782-7937.

Press Release:

April 3, 2006

Shelby, North Carolina:

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2005 completed Heath and Associates’ 46th year in operation.  The year 2005 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the twenty-second consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for twenty-five clients in seven states in 2005.

Press Release:

January 23, 2006

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Celebrates 10^th Year Service Anniversary For Two Employees

Shelby, North Carolina – Heath and Associates, Inc., is proud to celebrate the ten-year service anniversary of two employees.  Todd P. Clapp and Tommy H. Setzer past their ten year service dates with Heath and Associates in late 2005.

Todd Clapp began his career after obtaining an Associates Degree in Architectural Design from Gaston College.  Todd oversees the electronic drafting and graphic design activities of the firm.  Todd also maintains the corporate website and coordinates the information technology activities within the company.  Todd is married to Carol Clapp, and they have two children, Destani and Lilah. Todd is very active in his church, First Assembly of God in Gastonia, and enjoys physical fitness activities. 

Tommy Setzer has a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.  Tommy is primarily responsible for system design and project management.  Tommy also performs a variety of technical support activities to aid in company rate studies, load forecasting and gas supply studies, flow modeling, operator qualification, and pipeline integrity management.  Tommy is married to Becky Setzer, and they have one daughter Rebecca.  Tommy is very active in his church, Lattimore Baptist, and has developed several software programs for educational use. 

Press Release:

August 30, 2005

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Training and Operator Qualification School

Heath and Associates, Inc. will offer a natural gas system Operator Qualification School in October 2005.  In 2002, Heath and Associates developed three OQ Schools to provide training and qualification for Construction, Corrosion, and O & M related covered tasks. These three schools were offered several weeks during 2002 to help operators qualify their personnel who perform safety sensitive covered tasks. The Construction, Corrosion, and O&M Schools are being consolidated into one 4½-day MEGA OQ School

The MEGA OQ School will address 25 different covered tasks.  Our OQ School will offer classroom training lectures combined with computer based training topics to keep the interest of each student peaked.  Each classroom lecture will be followed by an exam.  We expect that the use of both the classroom approach and “hands-on” training aids will ensure that your gas personnel and contractors will enhance their levels of skill and knowledge. They will have to demonstrate their mechanical abilities and demonstrate that they understand all of the intuitive issues involved in what they do in the field and why they do them.  Most importantly, they will understand the potentially negative consequences of not performing covered tasks correctly.

Operators are now required to incorporate training into their OQ programs (See Amendment 192-100, effective 07-01-05).  We have designed these schools to primarily teach and train gas personnel.  Heath and Associates will provide a certificate of completion to each student who successfully completes a school.  Because only the operators can issue the qualification of an individual, each operator should modify their Operator Qualification Plan to state that employees or contractors who successfully complete the Heath and Associates School will be considered to be qualified.

The MEGA OQ School will be held October 24 – 28, 2005 at the City of Shelby Operations Center in Shelby, NC.   The school will be limited to 14 students on a first come first serve basis.  If enough interest is expressed, another school will be scheduled.  The deadline for registration will be October 5, 2005.  The registration fees for the school will be $2,000.00 per student.  The registration fees are due upon registration and are non-refundable.

Please contact Scott Heath at 704/487-8516 for further information concerning this school.  An agenda and listing of covered tasks to be addressed are available upon request.

Press Release:

April 5, 2005

Shelby, North Carolina: 

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2004 completed Heath and Associates’ 45th year in operation.  The year 2004 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the twenty-first consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for twenty-two clients in seven states in 2004.

Press Release:

May 7, 2004

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Celebrates 45^th Year of Business

Shelby, North Carolina - In the fall of 1959, Charles C. Heath opened the doors of Heath and Associates, Inc., to provide Engineering and Management Consulting Services to the natural gas industry. The year 2004 will be Heath and Associates 45^th year of operations.  Heath and Associates’ first two clients, the City of Lexington, NC and the City of Shelby, NC, remain loyal and active clients.  Heath and Associates helped emerging gas utilities design and develop their systems as natural gas became available to the Southeast in the 1960's, provided guidance and solutions to the natural gas curtailments and shortages of the 1970's, and helped their clients capitalize on the opportunities created as a result of the natural gas industry deregulation in the 1980's and 1990's.

Scott Heath attributes Heath and Associates’ success to our dedication to always working to our client’s best interest.  Heath and Associates has a reputation for giving straightforward analysis and recommendations to optimize system operations even if the recommendations are not popular.  Our clients recognize that our advice and guidance have proven to be accurate and valuable, standing the test of time. 

Charles Heath, the founder of the company, retired in 2002.   The leadership of Heath and Associates was passed to E. Scott Heath in 1992 when he was elected President of the firm.  During the 1990's, Heath and Associates’ client base grew to approximately 40 gas utilities.  Last year Heath and Associates worked with 18 clients in five states. 

Heath and Associates has embraced new technology and selectively employed key personnel to efficiently serve an expanded client base.  Heath and Associates directs all of their services to the natural gas industry to become experts in this field.  Heath and Associates actively participates in four national and regional gas industry trade associations to keep abreast of current technology and issues.

Heath and Associates has developed close relationships with natural gas contractors, suppliers, natural gas marketers and producers, and interstate pipeline companies.  The long-standing relationships are utilized to assist Heath and Associates in providing services to clients.  Heath and Associates has a close relationship with Enline Energy Solutions, and Anderson and Associates, Inc., who provide subcontracted services for Heath and Associates.

Heath and Associates, Inc., would like to thank all of the clients, associates, and friends who have contributed to our success over the past forty-five years.  We look forward to serving the natural gas industry for many years to come.

Press Release:

April 2, 2004

Shelby, North Carolina:

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2003 completed Heath and Associates’ 44th year in operation.  The year 2003 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the twentieth consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for eighteen clients in five states in 2003.

Press Release:

May 6, 2004

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Selects Baseline Technologies to Provide Risk and Data Management Software for Heath’s Integrity Management Services. 

Shelby, North Carolina – Heath and Associates, Inc., (Heath) has selected Baseline Technologies (Baseline) as the Data Management and Risk Assessment service and technology provider for their Integrity Management Program project consortium.

Heath and Associates, Inc., is actively developing an Integrity Management Program (IMP) that will constitute the core elements of IMPs to be used by operators of gas transmission pipelines.  The Heath IMP is being developed such that individual operators can easily customize the core documents to comply with the DOT mandated IMP framework (required by December 17, 2004).  The Heath IMP will contain all sixteen elements required by the new Part 192, Subpart O and facilitate HCA identification and the development of a baseline assessment plan for the operators.

The development of the Heath IMP is being provided as a shared cost consortium project.  The total development costs will be divided among the project participants.  Heath is actively seeking additional project participants.

Heath will leverage the tools and expertise of Baseline with Heath’s operational experience in order to facilitate the Integrity Management Program implementation.  Scott Heath, President and CEO of Heath commented, “Central to our decision in selecting Baseline was their unique and proven solutions to empower the efficient and cost effective implementation of integrity management programs.”

“It is extremely rewarding to have a company of Heath’s history and experience within the gas industry select our Web-enabled pipeline integrity applications and associated data integration services” said Bruce Dupuis, President and Chief Technology Officer at Baseline.

Heath and Associates is a highly respected engineering and management consulting firm with over 45 years of experience exclusively dedicated to the natural gas industry. Heath was an early leader in writing and interpreting the Natural Gas Safety Act of 1968 and has since written and continuously updated more than thirty operating and maintenance plans and construction manuals so that they reflect the various DOT/OPS amendments to the Act.  Heath and Associates also assists operators in developing and implementing Operator Qualification and Pipeline Integrity Management programs to comply with the latest DOT/OPS regulations.

About Baseline Technologies, Inc.

Baseline Technologies Inc. provides pipeline operators with a comprehensive suite of integrity data management and decision support applications to meet today’s challenges of operating pipelines safely, economically and in compliance with regulatory requirements.  Baseline’s risk and data management software tools facilitate best practices and enable sound and fully documented business decisions. Additionally, Baseline provides expert data integration and training services to support their customers in successfully implementing, leveraging and maintaining these integrity management software applications.

For more information contact:

Press Release:

September 9, 2003

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath and Associates, Inc. Offer Pipeline Integrity Management Services

Heath and Associates, Inc., will offer Pipeline Integrity Management services to clients being this fall.  In order to assist natural gas transmission operators comply with the Department of Transportation’s Research on Special Programs Administration new Integrity Management regulations, Heath and Associates will help their clients develop IMP programs.  Heath and Associates will also offer services to help operators implement and maintain these programs.

The proposed rule is extremely complicated and burdensome for operators.  The proposed rule including the preamble is 54,399 words and occupies 58 pages of small print in the Federal Register.  RSPA estimates that the man hours needed to establish an Integrity Management Program and identify the HCAs will be 3,100-7,000 per operator.  Operators are estimated to have 700- 1,500 hours per year associated with maintaining the integrity management programs.

Heath and Associates is proposing to assist operators develop their Integrity Management Programs. Heath and Associates has written over 40 Operations and Maintenance Plans and have extensive experience in assisting client in interpreting and complying with natural gas safety regulations.  In the mid 1990’s, Heath and Associates prepared a generic O & M Plan that could be customized for use by our clients.  This project involved over 1000 man hours of labor to develop the generic plan and 960 man hours of customization work.  The development costs for the generic O & M Plan was split between seventeen gas systems.  We believe a similar approach to developing Integrity Management Programs can be successful.

Heath and Associates has been asked by several operators to prepare plans and procedures to comply with the new IMP requirements.  We again desire to write a plan and accompanying procedures that can be adapted to a number of gas systems.  The customization process, however, will be significantly more labor intensive to establish procedures unique to specific systems. 

In order to utilize our time in the most efficient manner, Heath and Associates desires to prepare the plans for clients who request this service simultaneously.  The consolidation of our time to develop multiple plans should enable the plans to be worked as a larger project and reduce the overall labor and cost.

The development of Integrity Management Plan procedures for the proposed rule is a mammoth project.  It is imperative that work on these plans begin soon to complete the plans within 12 months of the final DOT rule.  Heath and Associates has been successful in keeping consulting fees low in the past by allowing clients to pool requirements and utilize common services.  Please contact Heath and Associates if you desire help developing or implementing your Pipeline Integrity Management Plan.  We encourage you to participate with our other clients and will be happy to further discuss our services with you at your convenience.

Press Release:

March 4, 2003

Shelby, North Carolina:

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2002 completed Heath and Associates’ 43rd year in operation.  The year 2002 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the nineteenth consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for eighteen clients in five states in 2002.

Press Release:

September 30, 2002

Shelby, North Carolina:

Heath Announces Sr. Project Manager

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President of Heath and Associates, Inc., is pleased to announce that Kelly P. Kinnett has joined their firm as a Senior Project Manager on September 23, 2002.  Mr. Kinnett brings eleven years of experience in the natural gas industry; ten serving the LDC customers of Kansas Gas Service and Oklahoma Natural Gas. He has an extensive background in field operations, including construction project management, internal auditing and supervising field employees doing construction, operations and maintenance, and customer service.  Mr. Kinnett received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri.  His wife, Jennifer, and their three children have relocated with Kelly to Shelby, North Carolina.

Press Release:

February 1, 2002

Shelby, North Carolina:

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2001 completed Heath and Associates' 42nd year in operation.  The year 2001 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the eighteenth consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for twenty-two clients in seven states in the year 2001.  

Press Release:

December 2001

The following information was conveyed to the Office of Pipeline Systems on December 21, 2001

It is shown for your information. 

AGA-INGAA-APGA SECURITY MEASURES FOR CRITICAL FACILITIES 

In recognition that in today's environment there is an increased general threat of potential terrorist or criminal activity the natural gas transmission and distribution industry is committed to implement appropriate security procedures at their critical facilities. 

THREAT LEVELS
The first requirement for implementing responsible procedures to alerts is to have consistently defined threat levels such that when an operator receives a threat alert, there is a commonly understood response action. AGA, APGA and INGAA, representing the natural gas distribution and transmission industry, recommend the following definitions in the government's issuance of threat advisories. 

THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS:

Threat Level Normal: 
Threat Level Normal exists when there is no known threat, or only a general concern about malicious activity (such as vandalism) that warrants only routine security procedures. Any security measures applied should be maintainable indefinitely without additional impact to business activities. This may be equivalent to normal daily conditions.

Threat Level Low: 
Threat Level Low applies when there is an increased general threat of potential terrorist or criminal activity with no specific threat directed toward the energy sector. Additional security measures are recommended, but they should be maintainable for an indefinite period of time with little impact on normal business activities.

Threat Level Medium: 
Threat Level Medium applies when an increased and more credible threat of terrorist or criminal activity is directed against the energy sector. Implementation of additional security measures is expected. Business entities need to be aware that corporate resources will be required above and beyond normal operations.

Threat Level High:
Threat Level High applies when an incident occurs or credible intelligence information is received that indicates that a terrorist or criminal act against the energy sector is eminent. Maximum security measures are necessary. 

OPERATIONAL RESPONSE
AGA, APGA and INGAA, representing the natural gas distribution and transmission industry, support implementation of procedures that reflect a heightened state of security at its critical facilities. These procedures include measures that would be taken at Threat Level Normal in addition to measures that would be taken at Threat Level Low. The industry will continue to operate at this heightened alert level of Threat Level Low until notified by the government that the country has returned to normal operating conditions. Specific responses will vary depending on facility type, operation, location and the threat presented. 

The operator will identify critical facilities based on: 1) consequence determination; 2) potential threats and their outcomes; 3) a methodology of risk assessment; and 4) selection of appropriate risk controls for the particular facility. Clearly the threat to public safety, potential for energy disruption and attraction as a terrorist target vary across the country. Therefore, these are important considerations in determining critical facilities. Following are the recommended security procedures for critical facilities operating under the current environment and absent the government's issuance of a higher threat level.

Threat Level Low Procedures (Incorporates Threat Level Normal Procedures):

Press Release:

March 21, 2001

Heath and Associates Assists Gas Systems Comply with Operator Qualification Rule

Probably the most discussed topic at the moment within the natural gas industry at large is the Federal DOT’s Pipeline Operator Qualification Rule [49 CFR 192,Sub-part N].  Each and every gas utility, pipeline company, and liquids transporter should be making final adjustments to a document that represents the first phase requirement to implementation of the Rule.  The law mandates that each Operator develop, follow and maintain a written qualification program that defines exactly how their company will evaluate and qualify individuals performing covered tasks on their pipelines and pipeline facilities. 

In December, 2000 Heath & Associates, Inc., commenced offering a series of eight OQ Workshops to five small municipal gas systems located in South Carolina.  Each of these systems must operate safely with the constraints of having few resources and restrictive budgets, which makes the reality of Rule implementation a significant burden and a big challenge.  To assist these five companies in this undertaking, Heath contracted the services of Bob Greis, a recent retiree who worked 33 years with the Consolidated Edison Co. of NY., 26 of those years being spent in the natural gas operations end of the business. Before retiring from Con Edison, Mr. Greis had the unique opportunity of being nominated by both the AGA and NYGAS to serve on the Technical Advisory Task Group that supported the gas industry’s Regulation Negotiations committee during all the Reg/Neg meetings in Washington, DC.  As a result, Mr. Greis became an expert in all facets of the Rule.

Heath and Associates previously formed an alliance with Energy worldnet to assist operators as they addressed the Operator Qualification Rule.  Energy worldnet provides operators with core OQ Plans and covered task list, interactive computer based software training, evaluations for covered tasks, and a record-keeping database.  Heath and Associates has assisted Energy worldnet in the delivery of these products to the municipal operators in North and South Carolina. 

As a starting point to aid the five municipal gas systems who participated in the workshop series, Heath and Associates assisted the municipals in acquisition and installation of the Energy worldnet OQ Complete Software Package. Working closely with subject matter experts from each of the Municipal gas companies, Heath’s staff along with Bob Greis conducted eight workshops that produced an individually customized written OQ Plan for each of the five Gas Systems.  Each covered task was discussed and evaluations were selected to customize the plans to each system.  Tasks were assigned to personal classifications and each operator’s plan was edited to reflect their individual requirements.  All of the South Carolina participants have expressed their satisfaction with the workshop process and results.  They feel confident in the fact that they are ready come April 27th when all written plans are due for submission to their state’s Public Utility Commission.

Press Release:

January 25, 2001

Shelby, North Carolina:

Mr. E. Scott Heath, President and CEO, is proud to announce that the year 2000 completed Heath and Associates' 41st year in operation.  The year 2000 was another successful year with the company posting positive earnings for the seventeenth consecutive year.  Heath and Associates worked for twenty-six clients in six states in the year 2000.

Press Release:

November 6, 2000

Operator Qualification Workshops Offered

On August 27, 1999, the Department of Transportation Office of Pipeline Safety established the Gas Pipeline Operator Qualification Rule (49 CFR 192.800 Sub N).  As the close of the year 2000 quickly approaches, the mandates of the DOT’s Gas Pipeline Operator Qualification Rule no longer loom in the distant future.  In six short months [April 27, 2001], each and every pipeline operator in the nation will be required to have their Operator Qualification Written Plan ready for regulatory compliance review.  This written Plan requires that each operator spell out in detail, the processes and procedures they will employ to ensure compliance with 49 CFR 192.800 Sub-part N.

Heath and Associates has been assisting natural gas system operators prepare for this rule by guiding them in the selection and purchase of generic Operator Qualification Plans, Covered Task Lists, computer software databases and records management systems, and interactive CD-ROM training and evaluation courses to address the requirements of the rule.  Heath and Associates formed an alliance with Energy WorldNet, Inc. and Safety Compliance and Evaluation, Inc. to assist them in the delivery of their OQ related products.

Heath and Associates has been asked by several operators to help them complete the development of their Operator Qualification programs.  Operators who have purchased generic OQ plans and records management systems will need to assign and cross link their employees, job descriptions, covered tasks, and evaluations along with establishing processes and procedures for implementing their programs.

Many of the municipal systems in South Carolina have similar operational approaches and staffing, and can develop their OQ programs cooperatively.  Coordination of the OQ program development will be beneficial to systems in the defense of their OQ programs with State Public Service Commission Pipeline Safety inspectors.  Systems with similar OQ programs will be able to lower training and evaluation costs by joining with other operators if the programs have common covered task lists and evaluation criteria.

In order to utilize our time in the most efficient manner, Heath and Associates desires to prepare the plans for clients who request this service simultaneously. The consolidation or our time to develop multiple plans should enable the plans to be worked as a larger project and reduce the overall labor and cost to the client.

Recently, Heath and Associates added a Senior Consultant to its staff, Bob Greis. Mr. Greis is an individual with 27 years of gas operations experience who recently accepted an early retirement offer after 33 years with a major multi service utility. Before taking early retirement, Bob was appointed by the American Gas Association [AGA] to serve as a technical advisor to the industry's Regulation Negotiation Committee that fashioned the language of the new Rule in Washington, DC. Bob attended every Reg/Neg meeting and consequently, became an expert on all facets of the Rule.

Heath & Associates believes that assistance is needed with implementation of the Rule and we propose to offer an Operator Qualification Workshop that we believe will be very helpful to your company in your efforts to ensure compliance with the Rule. This Workshop will be informative and structured in such a manner that each company will be able to ask questions and discuss their specific issues concerning their Written Plan and any other general concerns that they may have regarding implementation of the Rule.

The workshop will be conducted over a course of eight days from November 2000 to March 2001. The workshop meetings will be scheduled approximately two weeks apart. The workshop series outline is attached for your review. Mr. Greis also has gas operations training experience as well, and is capable of providing guidance in the areas of evaluation methods and training techniques that could be of great assistance to you.

Enclosed is a subscription form to enlist your gas system in the Heath and Associates Operator Qualification workshop series. We are offering this workshop contingent on a minimum subscription of four systems. We have estimated our time to develop this workshop series. Although the consulting and expense time requirements vary depending on the number of participating systems, the majority of the cost is fixed. The fee for the workshop series will be between $4,800.00 and $7,500.00 per system; depending on the number of systems that subscribe. Fifty percent of this fee will be billed in December 2000 and the remainder of the fee will be billed at the completion of the workshop series.

We are sponsoring a conference call on November 10 at 2:00 p.m. to address questions from the potential participants. Please call our office between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to obtain an access code for the telephone conference.

The development of an Operator Qualification program is a significant project. We anticipate that each participant will be capable of completing their set up of an OQ program at the conclusion of the workshop series. It is imperative that work on these plans begin soon to complete the plans by April 27, 2001, the effective date of the new requirements. Heath and Associates has been successful in keeping consulting fees low in the past by allowing clients to pool requirements and utilize common services. We encourage you to participate in this offer and will be happy to further discuss the enclosed proposal at your convenience.

Press Release:

September 1, 2000

Shelby, North Carolina: 

Heath and Associates, Inc., is proud to announce that our President and CEO, Mr. E. Scott Heath will begin a three-year term as a Director of the Southeastern Gas Association.  Heath and Associates has been a member of the Southeastern Gas Association for over 25 years.   Scott Heath is one of three associate members who will sit on the Board of Directors.

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