NPGA Applauds House and Senate Introduction of the Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act ("Propane GAS Act") of 2011

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) applauds House Republican Conference Secretary Representative John Carter (R-TX) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) on their introduction of the Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act ("Propane GAS Act") of 2011 (H.R. 2014/S.1120) in the House and Senate.  This legislation would extend existing tax credits for the purchase of propane as a motor fuel (also known as "autogas"), the purchase of propane autogas vehicles, and the installation of propane autogas refueling infrastructure through 2016.

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Original cosponsors in the House of Representatives include Representatives Dan Boren (D-OK) and Mike Rogers (R-AL). Original cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

NPGA President and CEO Richard Roldan noted, "The Propane GAS Act offers the kind of policy commitment necessary to continue building the propane autogas market.  The level of private investment in alternative fuels that Congress anticipated when they created these incentives is much more likely to occur when the availability of the tax credits in the long- term is assured. Extending these tax credits will move this country towards greater use of clean, domestic fuels and the increased use of propane autogas will provide consumers and fleet operators with a clean, domestic, abundant and efficient alternative to fuels derived from foreign sources."

"Our nation must move to a more sustainable energy policy that lessens our dependence on foreign energy sources," said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee.  "It is in our national interest - and national security interest - to encourage alternative energy sources, including propane, as a way to move our economy forward and protect our environment. Propane is readily available and helps provide an alternative to imported oil."

House sponsor Representative John Carter (R-TX) noted that, "As America searches for new sources of energy to lower consumer costs and cut our dependence on foreign oil, propane is a leading contender.  Propane is a proven winner as an alternative fuel.  For a fraction of the tax incentives we currently provide for other energy sources with yet unknown potential, we can actually put a practical alternative in the field for everyday use by consumers with this legislation."

"Propane autogas is easily the most accessible alternative transportation fuel currently available in the marketplace and is the most popular alternative transportation fuel worldwide," concluded NPGA's Roldan.  "Ever since these tax credits were created, the propane industry has seen more and more vehicle fleets transition to propane autogas alternatives.  Now is not the time to curtail federal investment in clean energy transportation. Extending these tax credits is not only solid public policy, its excellent news for the environment, the economy, and business and commercial fleet operations nationwide."

Propane autogas is an American fuel. 98% of U.S. supply is produced domestically. Propane autogas is also clean.  Propane autogas vehicles produce 19% less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline powered vehicles and significantly lower particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbon emissions than gasoline or diesel vehicles.

Propane supply is also abundant.  In fact, in 2010 the North American market (U.S. and Canada) was a net exporter of propane into the global marketplace. This will continue into the future as production of propane from natural gas shale formations increases.

NPGA is the national trade association of the propane gas industry with a membership of approximately 3,200 companies, including 39 affiliated state and regional associations representing members in all 50 states.  Although the single largest groups of NPGA members are retail marketers of propane gas and propane autogas, the membership includes propane producers, transporters and wholesalers, as well as manufacturers and distributors of associated equipment, containers and appliances.  More than 55 million households and businesses use propane gas for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor recreation, and other uses. Propane gas is also used in millions of installations nationwide for commercial heating and cooking, in agriculture, in industrial processing, and as a clean alternative engine fuel for over-the-road vehicles and industrial lift trucks.

SOURCE National Propane Gas Association