CELEBRATING 100 YEARS: PROPANE
What comes to mind when you hear the term “fossil fuels?”
Many of us can’t help but to have negative thoughts: oil spills, war, global warming, acid rain, black lung, etc. Unfortunately, the list goes on.
The good news is that not all fossil fuels have a negative environmental impact.
Propane is a safe, clean and cost effective energy source that has many commercial and consumer applications.
New propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. At least one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards.
Propane is nontoxic, so it’s not harmful to soil or water. Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels.
Because propane is a fossil fuel, it sometimes gets an undeserved bad rap - especially when compared to electricity. When making such a comparison it is important to understand the facts.
It is certainly true that an electric motor gives off little or no harmful emissions. However, when considering emissions or the true impact of choosing one energy source over another; it is important to understand and take into account the difference between primary energy sources and secondary energy sources.
When deciding between propane and electricity, for example, it is beneficial to understand where these energy sources originate. Energy from propane is direct while energy from electricity is harnessed from a primary energy source such as coal, natural gas, or petroleum. In other words, electricity is generated by expending other sources of energy that may consequently give off harmful emissions. Unlike propane, usable amounts of electricity do not occur naturally.
Propane was discovered in 1910 by Dr. Walter O. Snelling, a chemist and explosives expert for the U.S. Bureau of Mines, when he was contacted to investigate vapors coming from a goasoline tank vent of a newly purchased Ford Model T.
In 1912, Dr. Snelling and some colleagues established the American Gasol Co. which was the first commercial marketer of propane. The propane industry in America (and the world for that matter) has a rich history of innovation, integrity, and hard work.
Today, propane supplies 3 to 4 percent of our total energy needs. It is as versatile as it is clean, safe, and accessible.
VFG is proud to serve the propane industry and our fellow members of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). We have found that, by and large, when you deal with an individual who has spent their career in the propane industry you can rest assured that you are probably dealing with someone you can count on.
If you would like to learn more about the propane industry, we invite you to explore the following web sites:
