NPGA urges changes to clean energy legislation

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has released a statement regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 and has proposed recommended changes to the legislation that would continue to support clean energy while minimizing impacts to the propane industry and its large customer base.

Recommended changes include aligning propane with natural gas. Propane’s usage profile is similar to natural gas, with more than 70 percent used by residential and commercial customers for space heating, water heating and cooking.

In addition, propane is much a part of the climate solution. Propane has the smallest greenhouse gas footprint of any fossil fuel, including natural gas (methane) in many applications when all greenhouse gas emissions are considered. Moreover, propane-fueled vehicles, tankless water heaters and other uses reduce carbon emissions. Propane is a domestically produced fuel, with only about 10 percent of propane being imported, which mostly comes from Canada.

“Congress needs to be mindful that unintended consequences of policies addressing climate change would affect American citizens directly,” said Phil Squair, senior vice president of public and governmental affairs of NGPA. “We’re hopeful that this statement and our meetings with policymakers will have positive results for the country, and for the propane industry and its customers.”

NPGA believes that propane can provide climate solutions for the country immediately and looks forward to working with policymakers to ensure the industry’s recommendations are included in this legislation.