Economic Impact

American Energy at Work

The propane industry is composed overwhelmingly of small, independent businesses working to meet the unique energy needs of their communities. They operate in parts of the country left behind from recent economic gains and provide technical training to their employees, allowing them to develop skillsets that are highly sought-after and transferable. Propane marketers provide clean-burning and critical energy to residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers in all fifty states.

A domestically produced fuel, propane supports jobs and investment in the American economy from production to consumption.

Propane exports help reduce our trade deficits with other countries. And industry careers such as service technicians, mechanics, and transport drivers can never be outsourced, which means working men and women can always find a home with a propane company.

Nationally, propane is used in 50 million American homes.

11.9 million households rely on it for space or water heating.[1] The industry serves 1.1 million commercial accounts, 505,000 agricultural accounts, and 185,000 industrial accounts.[2] Propane powers large swaths of the U.S. economy and provides clean, reliable energy so a variety of market sectors can flourish.

 

Agriculture

Farmers use propane to dry their harvest, reducing crop loss and allowing them to safely store their commodities when market prices are unfavorable.

Commercial

Businesses that operate outside of natural gas infrastructure rely on propane to provide efficient, on-site power for energy-intensive applications, including furnaces, boilers, engines, and cooking and refrigeration equipment.

Autogas

As a vehicle fuel, propane autogas allows fleets, such as school buses, to reduce emissions and operating costs, letting school districts save money and redirect transportation funds back inside the classroom.[3][4] Learn more about the many benefits of clean school buses.