Propane prominent during National Clean Energy Week

This month we celebrate National Clean Energy Week.

Now in its third year, the initiative engages policymakers, administrative officials, thought leaders, academics and technology developers – i.e., the people we need to educate about propane – and it culminates in a week of advocacy activities Sept. 23-27.

The propane industry is heavily involved this year, not only in Washington, D.C., but around the country through the collaborative efforts of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and state/regional propane gas associations. We have a lot to celebrate as an industry. But more importantly, we have a lot at stake.

Here’s information for you, your employees and your customers to know when it comes to National Clean Energy Week and propane’s part in the clean energy movement. 

National Clean Energy Week

A little more about this initiative (nationalcleanenergyweek.org), which has been gaining momentum as a valuable energy platform. In fact, Politico has described the event, organized by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum, as “a veritable who’s who of the clean energy world.”

Activities take place in Washington, D.C., and in states around the country to highlight the value and benefit of clean energy solutions. More than 100 organizations are participating this year, and for the first time in the event’s three years, propane is taking a leading role as a sponsor. We asked NPGA what makes this year different.

“The propane industry – much like the natural gas industry – is at a critical moment in history, where supporters of electrification are ignoring science and logic and pushing an agenda that is contrary to consumer choice in the name of clean energy,” the association responded in a statement. “National Clean Energy Week gives the propane industry the opportunity to stand next to other clean energy providers and show its benefits, without anyone picking winners and losers.”

Fuel for the world

Propane plays an important role in the global and domestic energy markets.

U.S. propane is in high demand internationally, and, according to NPGA, the industry also contributes more than $46 billion annually to the American economy and provides nearly 100,000 jobs in the U.S. These are contributions that can be easily overlooked by policymakers.

Look for the association to highlight propane’s wide-ranging impacts during the National Clean Energy Week Policy Makers Symposium on Sept. 26. NPGA believes this is also the right venue to share details about an apprenticeship program for the propane workforce and innovations taking place to introduce renewable propane in the market.

Clean Air Act

Let’s not forget that propane is an approved, clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act.

A little history: In 1970, Congress created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passed the Clean Air Act, giving the federal government authority to clean up air pollution. In 1990, Congress revised and expanded the Clean Air Act, providing EPA even broader authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air pollutant emissions.

Propane’s role in the act centers on its use as a transportation fuel. The Clean Air Act encourages the development and sale of alternative fuels, which EPA says are transportation fuels other than gasoline and diesel, including propane, natural gas, methanol, ethanol, electricity, and biodiesel.

Bottom-line solution

We know propane fits into the clean air picture, but exactly how and to what extent is open for debate and conversation. Our Editorial Advisory Board members had a lively discussion while sharing their perspectives on the topic for our September issue.

While those conversations will continue to take place in today’s changing energy environment, we can rest assured knowing that propane’s many strengths will help it meet customers’ needs consistently. That’s a message to share with customers, not only during National Clean Energy Week, but always.