Suburban Propane celebrates commercial launch of propane+rDME

Suburban Propane Partners is pushing further into the area of renewables with the commercial launch of propane+rDME.

Suburban says propane+rDME combines clean, versatile and abundantly available propane with the renewable, low-carbon benefits of renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), produced by Oberon Fuels, to help create a pathway for lowering emissions and meeting carbon-reduction standards.

Rebecca Boudreaux, president and CEO of Oberon Fuels, and Michael Stivala, president and CEO of Suburban Propane, take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the commercial launch of propane+rDME. (Photo courtesy of Suburban Propane Partners LP)

The blended alternative product has a low carbon intensity and can be used as a drop-in replacement for propane engines in both on-road and off-road applications, the company adds.

“We seek out innovative solutions and investments to help lead the pathway toward a low-carbon economy, and propane+rDME is the next step in the evolution of clean alternative fuels,” says Michael Stivala, president and CEO of Suburban Propane. “This low-carbon energy source is just a stepping stone to a carbon-neutral, and even carbon-negative, future for the propane industry.”

San Diego-based Oberon Fuels began commercial production of rDME last year at its facility in Brawley, California.

“Blending renewable DME with propane can reduce the emissions profile and fits readily with existing storage, transportation and fueling infrastructure,” says Rebecca Boudreaux, president and CEO of Oberon. “Oberon’s rDME is a straightforward and scalable way for propane distributors and their customers to become more sustainable and will lead to overall emissions reductions from the propane sector, which is a critical step to meeting global climate commitments.”

Suburban Propane invited elected officials and clean energy subject matter experts to its Placentia, California, customer service center to celebrate the product launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speaking program and facility tour.

The New Jersey-based company is a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable energy and related products and services. It acquired a stake in Independence Hydrogen earlier this year and has partnered with U-Haul to offer renewable propane in California.