Renewable propane arrived this year in Connecticut , Massachusetts , and Vermont .

Massachusetts received its first delivery of renewable propane at the NGL Supply Wholesale terminal in West Springfield , for distribution to retailers in the region , reports the Renewable Propane Alliance , an industry group . Bourne ’ s Energy in Morrisville , Vermont , received nearly 10,000 gallons in September .

Leslie Anderson , president and CEO of the Propane Gas Association of New England , which is an Alliance member , said in a statement :

“ The cost is just slightly more than traditional propane today , but we anticipate , as more of it is produced , that that cost is going to come down . And if you think about the added benefit that you get by knowing you ’ re helping the climate and helping the planet by using renewables — I think a lot of people are willing to spend a little bit more to get that .”

The Renewable Propane Alliance promotes rPG as “ a safe , reliable and economical part of the solution for an energy-efficient future .” According to the Alliance ’ s website , “ Propane and renewable propane are molecularly identical . This means that they can be blended without the expense and labor of conversion . The difference is that they ’ re coming from different sources . The renewable sources that have been instrumental in perfecting the production of renewable propane to date include animal oils , vegetable oils , biomass and other triglycerides .” The feedstock for renewable propane can include plant matter like corn , the Alliance added .

Founders of the Alliance include Warm Thoughts Communications , the Western Propane Gas Association , the Propane Gas Association of New England , the North Carolina Propane Gas Association , the Texas Propane Gas Association , Oberon Fuels and the World Energy Group .

One day after NGL received its shipment in Massachusetts , propane retailer Hocon Gas on September 15 brought in Connecticut ’ s first renewable propane shipment , the Alliance also reports . The rPG delivery was for Hocon ’ s propane autogas filling station .

Autogas made from conventional propane is more eco-friendly ( and affordable ) than gasoline or diesel , according to the Alliance website . It emits less carbon dioxide , carbon monoxide and nitrogen / sulfur oxides , the Alliance said . Renewable propane has still better greenhouse gas performance , with a typical carbon intensity that ’ s roughly 23 % that of gasoline or diesel , according to the Propane Education & Resource Council .

Connecticut has over 600 propane autogas-fueled school buses , the Alliance said . l FON

Attendees celebrate the first delivery of renewable propane to the NGL Supply Wholesale terminal in West Springfield ,

Mass . Photos by Kim Keil 22 NOVEMBER 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com