Representatives of the propane industry descended on Washington last week for their annual rally to lobby lawmakers about federal energy policies. (image: tourist4life.com)
The propane industry staged its annual Washington DC rally last week on Capitol Hill.
Propane Days was a chance for industry representatives to press the flesh with lawmakers in a bid to influence the shape of federal energy policies as they relate to the propane industry.
The goal of the rally was to inform legislators about the benefits of clean-burning propane, which is well placed to help the US reduce its reliance on foreign oil.
One of the keynote speakers was Stuart Weidie, the Alliance AutoGas president, Autogas for America founder and NPGA Governmental Affairs Committee chairman, domesticfuel.com reported.
“Propane Days has been a valuable opportunity to reach lawmakers interested in addressing America’s energy challenges,” said Weidie. “Autogas for America doesn’t promote legislative favoritism for any particular fuel. However, we believe autogas should have equal opportunity to succeed in the marketplace alongside other alternative fuels already receiving attention in Washington D.C. The environmental and cost benefits of autogas will take it from there.”
A key issue at the rally was the Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act of 2011, which is currently before Congress. It seeks to extend tax credits for propane autogas, propane-powered vehicle and propane refueling stations. Propane Days attendees lobbied for the bill’s passage.
The industry hopes that autogas will achieve parity with other alternative fuels and help the US achieve energy independence through greater use of cleaner-burning, affordable propane gas.
Other organizations participating in the event included the Propane Education and Research Council, Ferrellgas, AmeriGas, ROUSH CleanTech, Blossman Gas, and Blue Star Gas.
Ferrellgas North America president George Koloroutis said:
Utilizing clean, American-made fuels like autogas for our nation’s vehicle fleets ultimately reduces our dependence on foreign oil. America has been lagging behind the rest of the world in using this environmentally friendly, economical fuel, and it’s time we started investing in U.S. energy security with autogas.