Effective March 2006.

This privacy policy applies to all websites and URL’s controlled or operated by the Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. (PERC, us/we), which link to this policy, unless otherwise specified to include, but not limited to, www.Propane.com and www.WesternPGA.org.

This is a new privacy policy effective as of the date set forth above. Even if you read and approved a prior policy, you need to review this new version as it has been updated and revised.

Titles and headings are provided for general reference and ease of use only, as information may be covered in more than one heading or under other headings.

If users have questions or concerns regarding this statement, they should first contact [email protected].

Information Collection

“Find a Propane Retailer” Requests for Contact

In order to request to be contacted by propane retailers, a user must first complete a contact request form. On this form a user is required to give contact information (such as name and email address). We provide this information to the selected propane retailers. By providing this information to us, or by submitting a request, you expressly consent to being contacted by us and by propane retailers via phone, fax, email, mail, or other reasonable means, at any of your contact numbers or addresses, in order that we may provide the services set forth on our website, reasonably address matters pertaining to your request or for other reasonable purposes related to our business.

Information Use

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data tied to information about the user and stored on the user’s computer. We use both session cookies, which terminate when a user closes his browser, and persistent cookies, which remain on the user’s computer until manually deleted.

By setting a persistent cookie, we enable our users to not have to log in with a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our website. If users reject these cookies, they may still use our website. The only drawback to this is that the experience and/or access of a user may be limited in some areas of our website. For example, the user may not be able to participate in any of our sweepstakes, contests, or monthly drawings that may take place. See the “Profile” section.

Log Files

Like most standard website servers we use log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the website, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use.

Sharing Information to Propane Retailers and to Conduct Our Business

When you submit information to Find a Propane Retailer, you authorize us to share this information with our network of propane retailers in order to try to provide the services you request. For example, when an approved member of our propane retailer network accepts a lead from a website user, and that user indicates what personal information they are willing to share so that the propane retailer can contact the user, such as telephone numbers, physical addresses, and email addresses; that information is shared with our propane retailers who have accepted a service request lead.

Though we strive to preserve user privacy, due to the existing regulatory environment, we cannot ensure that all of your private communications and other personal information will always remain confidential. By way of example, we may disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a belief that such action is necessary or advisable to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, legal proceeding, process, or investigation served on our business or website(s), or when we believe parties are misusing or attempting to misuse our websites or services, including but not limited to violating the law, committing fraud, deception, theft, attempting to harm or divert our business, engaging in threatening or inappropriate behavior or threatening to place, or placing themselves or others in danger. You should also be aware that courts of equity, such as U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, may have the authority under certain circumstances to require us to share or transfer your information to third parties. Finally, although we strive to protect your privacy, third parties beyond our control may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications. Therefore, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information or private communications will always remain private.

The Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. will not be responsible or otherwise liable for any use or disclosure of your personal information by a third party to whom the Propane Education and Research Council, Inc. is allowed to disclose you personal information under this privacy policy.

Aggregate Information (non-personally identifiable)

The Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. may share aggregated activity or statistical information with partners, or others, but such information shall not contain personally identifiable information.

Links and Integrated Partnerships

This website contains links from and to other websites. Please be aware that the Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites. We encourage our users to be aware of this when they leave our website and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by the Propane Education & Research Council, Inc’s website.

Surveys & Contests

From time-to-time, the Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. may request information from users via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name and mailing address), and demographic information (such as zip code). Contact information will be shared with the contest or survey sponsors (if the Propane Education & Research Council, Inc. elects to utilize an outside promotions or survey company) to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of our services and this website.

Security

“Perfect security” does not exist on the internet and we do not guarantee security of information or that unauthorized access will not occur. However, we take all reasonable precautions when protecting your personal information. Servers that store personally identifiable information are located in a supervised and/or locked facility. Users’ personal information off line is restricted by our internal security procedures, and authorized access to such information is only provided to our employees and contractors who reasonably need the information for their areas of responsibility.

Your information may be transferred to and maintained in whole or in part on computer networks which may be located outside of the state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction in which you reside, and may be stored on equipment or in facilities leased or licensed from third parties.

If users have any questions about the security at our website, users can send an email to [email protected].

Denial of Access to Personal Information

Your rights to access your personal information are not absolute. We may deny access:

  • when denial of access is required or authorized by law;
  • when granting you access would have an unreasonable impact on other people’s privacy;
  • to protect our organization’s rights and property; or
  • where the request is frivolous or vexatious.

If we deny your request for access to, or refuse a request to correct Personal Information, we will explain why.

Changes and Updates to This Policy and to Services, Products and Functionality of Website(s)

We reserve the right to change our information, features, services, products, policies, promotions, disclosures, and disclaimers at any time. Changes to this Policy will be in writing and be posted on our website as applicable. Please check these terms periodically for changes. At the top of the policy we indicate the date of an update. The continued use of any services or of the applicable affiliated websites following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.

Contact Information

If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:

Propane Education & Research Council
1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 452-8975
Fax: (202) 452-9054
[email protected]