Washington, DC (September 28, 2007)—The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) released a study showing that using propane in certain applications produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than many other fuels, making it an attractive option to help cut carbon emissions.

The results of PERC’s Propane Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Analysis—which took both upstream and on-site emissions into account—show that propane generates fewer GHG emissions per Btu than 70 percent of today’s fuel mix. For on-site emissions alone, propane has lower carbon content than gasoline, diesel, heavy fuel oil, and ethanol, demonstrating that propane’s carbon footprint is lower than many other fuels.

“Consumers, businesses, and municipalities using propane can be assured that they are choosing a fuel that helps to reduce carbon emissions without compromising performance,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. “At the same time, because 90 percent of it is produced domestically, choosing propane as a fuel option can reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

Conducted by Energetics Incorporated (Washington, D.C.), the study compared propane’s GHG emissions profile across different propane market segments, including residential, power generation, engine fuel, and agriculture. The seven applications analyzed in the study represent a range of market shares from well-established propane markets such as space and water heating, to emerging propane markets such as power generation.

Comparisons were done using energy consumption rates, emissions factors, and equipment efficiencies for various energy options to estimate the GHG emissions associated with the use of each fuel. Overall, the results of the analysis show that at the point of use, propane has a lower carbon content than gasoline, diesel, heavy fuel oil, and even ethanol (Graph 1).

Graph 1. On-Site Carbon Emission for Various Fuels

In residential water and space heating applications, study results show that propane performs similarly to natural gas and better than all other fuels. For traditional storage tank and water heaters, the use of propane generates 60 percent fewer carbon emissions than electric-powered heaters. In space heating applications, propane emits 12 percent fewer carbon emissions than electric heat pump systems and 64 percent fewer than electric baseboard heating.

Light-duty trucks, which constitute a significant portion of U.S. vehicle fleets, also proved to be particularly promising from a GHG perspective when using propane as fuel. The new propane-powered Roush Ford F-150 truck produces less GHG emissions than similar gasoline or even ethanol models.

In addition to its proven GHG advantages, propane has less criteria pollutants across many applications and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a clean alternative fuel. Propane is also available today, unlike other alternative fuels that are still under development. Its existing nationwide distribution infrastructure enables propane to have an immediate impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“Propane is a low-emission alternative fuel that is available today,” Willis said. “Switching to propane from GHG-intense fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, offers GHG emissions reductions right now that can help transition our high GHG-emitting economy to a low GHG-emitting economy in the future. With an existing nationwide distribution infrastructure, propane stands at the ready to help fuel that transition.”

To obtain a copy of PERC’s Propane Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Analysis, contact Greg Kerr, PERC director of research and development  at greg.kerr@propanecouncil.org or visit www.propanecouncil.org/rd.

###

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade organization that is authorized by the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (PERA), Public Law 104-284. PERC was created "to enhance consumer and employee safety and training, to provide for research and development of clean and efficient propane utilization equipment, and to inform and educate the public about safety and other issues associated with the use of propane." PERC is based in Washington, D.C., and is dedicated to promoting the safe, efficient use of propane as a preferred energy source. For more information, visit www.propanecouncil.org