WPGA sponsors renewable propane legislation

April 19, 2021 By    

The Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) is sponsoring legislation that would establish a program to provide financial incentives for renewable propane production in California.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1559 – the Innovative Renewable Energy for Buildings Act of 2021 – would require the California Energy Commission to establish and implement a program to provide financial incentives for the production of renewable propane, including blends with renewable hydrogen or dimethyl ether, that is used as an energy source for buildings in the state.

According to WPGA, much of California’s investment for renewable energy generation is focused on its public utilities’ electrical grid. The association estimates there are currently about 600,000 households that are not connected to the electric grid and rely on propane.

“AB 1559 addresses this problem by fixing a number of blind spots in the state’s energy policy,” says Joy Alafia, WPGA president. “By incentivizing production of renewable propane, California will be able to ensure these primarily rural communities have access to renewable energy and are able to participate in the state’s carbon reduction initiatives.”

Renewable propane is derived from sustainable energy sources such as animal fat and vegetable oils, and WPGA says it offers a convenient, affordable and effective way for many communities to achieve carbon neutrality for energy used to generate electricity and heat homes and water. Renewable propane can also be used during events such as blackouts and when solar energy runs out.

The association also set a goal to provide California with a 100-percent renewable propane by 2030, and Alafia commended assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) for authoring AB 1559.

“I introduced AB 1559 because I am committed to doing everything possible to start addressing climate change now,” O’Donnell says. “Embracing alternative renewable energy sources such as next-generation propane is essential if we are truly serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

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About the Author:

Carly Bemer (McFadden) was the managing editor at LP Gas magazine.

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