Using EIA Data to Strengthen Your Voice in the Statehouse

When state or municipal lawmakers discuss action on electrification, clean heat standards, or gas bans, they sometimes rely on sweeping assumptions or insufficient data. An effective way to cut through the noise is with hard, neutral facts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

EIA data is non-partisan and widely trusted—meaning it’s harder for opponents and elected officials to dismiss. That’s why NPGA’s state advocacy team regularly arms state associations and members with EIA stats to bring into hearings, testimony, or local meetings.

Three quick ways members can use EIA data to present factual arguments before elected officials:

1. Show how many homes use propane in your state. The EIA’s “Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state, 2020” PDF shows propane usage as a heating source. Use it to counter overly broad claims about heat pump adoption, for example.
2. Point to winter reliability and inventory trends. The “Weekly Petroleum Status Report” tracks propane stocks by region. If your state is seeing below-average reserves, it’s a powerful argument for keeping propane infrastructure flexible and ready.
3. Highlight small business and farm demand. EIA’s page on “hydrocarbon gas liquids explained” show propane isn’t just for residential applications—it powers agricultural operations and local businesses as well.

NPGA’s state advocacy team serves at the disposal of state associations and members to translate these numbers into succinct talking points that resonate with policymakers to protect your business in every statehouse and town hall. For more information, please contact NPGA’s Senior Manager of State Government Affairs, Austin Wicker.