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Climate change is one of the most pressing issues today, and Mother Nature reminds us frequently and harshly. Americans are experiencing a dramatic increase in natural disasters and their durations, whether they be hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, or snowstorms.
Chief Doyle Dahmann of the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, through early September 2024, there have been 20 confirmed billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in the U.S., resulting in $53 billion in damages. This follows a historic 2023 that recorded 28 events costing $93 billion in damages. As recently as 2007, the number of billion-dollar disasters was only five.
Winter Storm Uri, which unleashed freezing temperatures and heavy snow across much of Texas in February 2021, resulted in more than 200 deaths and served as a wake-up call for communities and emergency responders to look for ways to ensure they can be resilient when bad weather hits. Since then, many homeowners have invested in home generators to ensure the power stays on following a severe weather event. Resilience measures such as backup power at homes and businesses not only save lives but also offer tremendous economic value.
However, investing in a generator is not an option for some homeowners in disadvantaged communities. That’s why emergency responders look for energy solutions that can power city shelters during any type of weather event. The Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department in rural Texas uses propane to power its community shelter. Following Winter Storm Uri, the department doubled the capacity of its system to ensure they could provide a safe place for residents in need.
“If we do have an emergency and lose power…we can operate…we can feed people in the community with the generator we have,” said Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doyle Dahmann.
The department’s Deputy Chief Doug Zweiner said they wouldn’t have been able to operate during Winter Storm Uri without their reserve power system. “The freeze made us realize that we needed a better source of backup power. That’s when we decided to double our capacity.” Both Zweiner and Dahmann selected propane as their energy source since the fuel has an indefinite shelf life. “We just didn’t think it would be financially attainable for us to keep a large rotating supply of diesel,” said Zweiner.
Deputy Chief Doug Zweiner of the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department
“The propane can sit in the tank for years without going bad,” said Dahmann. “So far, we’ve had no problem with our generator because propane runs so clean. I think that’s the biggest reason to have propane generators…you’ve always got clean fuel.” Propane power generation is significantly cleaner than diesel, reducing CO2 by 15 to 25% and virtually eliminating nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
Zwiener added: “I think the main thing is it just works. It works when you need it and it’s low maintenance. It’s the most reliable source that’s worked out for us so far.”
During a weather emergency, people commonly use propane for lighting, heating, cooking, operating medical equipment, transportation and powering critical infrastructure such as police and fire stations, hospitals, emergency shelters, and cell towers. Propane is a preferred choice for essential services due to its clean characteristics, as well its portability, reliability, and affordability. As a safety precaution, homeowners should never bring propane equipment indoors, as it is strictly for outdoor use.
Approximately 5% of American households use propane for primary home heating, and millions more use it for cooking, water heating, clothes drying, and more. Propane is the go-to power source in remote areas where there are no gas lines or it is difficult to install transmission lines. As increasing severe weather events continue to compromise the electric grid, the demand for distributed generation powered by propane and other clean energy sources will continue to rise.
For consumers seeking generators or microgrid power solutions, it’s important to ensure the energy comes from clean sources that don’t negatively impact the environment. We can’t lose sight of clean energy in our quest for power reliability and resiliency, and propane can provide all of the above.
