OPEB : What might be the cost for a conversion kit , and a storage unit for the tank , etc . NEWLAND : You can find conversion kits starting from around $ 800 . That converts a gasoline engine to propane . If a commercial cutter is thinking about making that switch , they need to reach out to a local propane company and work out the infrastructure . It ’ s not a big lift . But it does require they use certain cylinders on the mowing equipment . Depending on the size of the business , they could use a tank exchange program if they ’ re small , or if they ’ re large enough cutter , they may put in a refueling station at the property to let the folks refuel their own cylinders . All those opportunities are discussed at the local level with their local propane supplier .
OPEB : Talk about the bigger picture for propane , beyond outdoor power equipment . What ’ s going on in other markets ? NEWLAND : A lot of what I do is in the agricultural space . The emissions regulations are being increased everywhere . And that helps propane . As much as we personally don ’ t like governments continuing to crank emissions to really tough levels , it gives propane an opportunity . I ’ m talking about on-road regulations being increased in 2027 , and other regulations being increased again in 2028 , that gives us an opportunity to meet those new regulations without much additional equipment on those engines . When you look at a diesel engine for 2027 , or 2028 , it ’ s going to be a very challenging for that engine to meet those new emissions requirements set by EPA . The good news is propane is in a good spot to be able to deliver on those new regulations .
OPEB : What ’ s the best success story overall for propane ? NEWLAND : We have propane-powered school buses all over the country transporting more than a million and a half kids daily . That ’ s a small percentage and but it ’ s growing every single year . The buses are priced slightly above a gasoline bus , and slightly less than a diesel engine . And they ’ re performing incredibly well . That gives people confidence in our field .
OPEB : What are our sources of propane and how is the U . S . supply today ? NEWLAND : Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing . And the backstory is we ’ ve got a lot of it . We export 60 plus percent of the available propane today ; it leaves the U . S . and goes elsewhere to be consumed . One of our missions is to find new uses and users of propane . It ’ s good for our environment here in the US . And it ’ s good for the economy .
OPEB : That refining process can be volatile , both economically and politically right now . Is this a stable fuel source , long term ? NEWLAND : We do have the detractors who want to link us to the fossil fuel market and the volatility there . But we can get to a science-based conversation about emissions and what grid carbon intensity looks like , I think a lot of folks should be moving toward propane , not trying to push it away . We have got a great white paper on the grid and the carbon intensity around that . You can look at that .
Visit : www . propane . com / research-development / emissions / power-generationthe-emissions-shifting-problem
OPEB : One thing I appreciate about this time in this industry , with electrification in particular , is that we ’ re all talking more specifically about a range of power sources . And that can be to your advantage . Right ? NEWLAND : In some places , batteries make sense . I have a gas-powered trimmer and a gas-powered leaf blower ; I ’ m probably going to keep them . I used to live on four acres . Not anymore . And I ’ ve kept my gaspowered tools – just because . Do I need those where I live ? No . My yard could be mowed with an electric push mower . But like I said , I think people are missing the carbon story . Just because it ’ s plugged into the wall , doesn ’ t mean it ’ s clean . You know , it ’ s all dependent upon where your electricity is produced and how it ’ s produced . Propane is cleaner .
OPEB : Are there different qualities of propane manufactured through the refining process ? Or is it all just propane ? NEWLAND : It gets pretty difficult . And I ’ m gonna throw this out there , though we don ’ t have time to discuss it . There is renewable propane that comes from renewable sources . And if you think about a facility that may make renewable diesel fuel , or sustainable aviation fuel , those are the types of facilities that produce renewable propane . We can talk about that down the road .
Visit : www . propane . com / about-propane / renewable-propane
ABOUT MICHAEL NEWLAND Michael Newland is director of agriculture business development for the Propane Education & Research Council . Newland promotes propane use for agricultural markets . He facilitates the adoption of propane-powered equipment , appliances , and vehicles through market development and product development to preserve existing markets and develop new growth opportunities .
Prior to this role , Newland served as National Sales Manager for Business Development at AgYield , a full-service revenue management company for growers based in Illinois . Prior to AgYield , he was Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Midwest USA Division of Mag- Grow , and he worked as the Director of Field Operations and National Agronomist for Wilton Agriculture Strategies .
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