Propane is a Clean Heating Source and Should be Included in the Clean Heat Standard

The MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is planning to implement a Clean Heat Standard (CHS) regulation that would financially penalize and disincentivize the use of propane statewide. In turn, they are looking to promote electricity as the primary source of heating in your home, which could be costly to consumers in a series of ways. As a Massachusetts resident, it is important to make your voice heard and tell your elected representatives that propane should be supported in the CHS, not penalized.

The MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has outlined the Clean Heat Standard and it does not include Propane or Bioheat, both of which are either excellent green fuel sources or industry-leading renewable energy sources. Instead, they are penalizing both fuel sources while incentivizing electric heat sources. 

 

As we've discussed in past blog posts and on several pages on our websites, electric heat does not create any emissions at the home, making it a "clean home heating" source. However, that conveniently ignores where and how the electricity that powers your home is made. Throughout the country, about 70% of the electricity generated is from non-renewable fuel sources like coal, natural gas, or nuclear, all of which have negative effects on the environment. Even "green" fuel sources like solar and wind use a wide range of rare natural materials that have devastating effects on the area where they're mined, take a large amount of resources to move, and are not easily recycled when they reach the end of their life cycles.

 

Propane, which is a byproduct of the natural gas creation process, is a clean burning fuel source of energy. Since natural gas is being used as a fuel source for power plants, propane will always be available in the marketplace. It would only make sense to continue to incentivize the use of Propane as a clean-burning, green energy source.

 

Not including Propane in the Clean Heat Standard will punish businesses like ckSmithSuperior who sell propane and consumers who heat or cook with propane. Please fill out the form found by clicking the link below to contact your local state representative and let them know you want Propane included in the Clean Heat Standard.

 

Contact your State Representative