Sign Up for News Updates
This article was originally published by The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.
Anyone who’s ever mentioned at a backyard barbecue that they work in the propane industry has grown accustomed to “King of the Hill” references to “propane and propane accessories.” Some are less than flattered, but others, me included, accept the association with good humor and even a little pride.
Even though the last episode aired in 2009, the show has lost little of its cultural relevance. Now the series is being rebooted for a new season. It’ll be interesting to see how Hank, Peggy and Bobby Hill and their colorful cast of neighbors have changed, or not, in the last decade and a half, and in what direction the producers and writers have chosen to take the show.
It has me thinking: What has changed about propane in recent years, and what hasn’t? And where does propane go from here?
The propane brand’s tagline, “Energy for Everyone,” speaks to its versatility, reliability and affordability. It also hits on something essential to the appeal of Hank Hill and his family: an everyman quality that feels familiar and trustworthy. That’s what propane and propane people have been for more than 100 years in the U.S — dependable, domestically produced energy delivered by neighbors and available to all.
The propane we know is a mainstay in cooking, home and water heating, and cozy outdoor experiences because it is energy-dense and easy to transport and store for long periods of time. From a 500-gallon fixed tank to a portable 1-pound camp cylinder, propane (and propane accessories) is ready whenever you need it, especially when things change suddenly and dramatically. And in the real world, just like in the Hill family’s fictional hometown of Arlen, Texas, change is in the air.
The electric grid that powers much of our daily lives is strained to a breaking point by the rapid rise in energy demand from data centers racing toward AI dominance. In its recently released report, “Evaluating the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid,” the U.S. Department of Energy projects that Americans will experience a 100-fold increase in blackouts if coal- and natural gas-powered plants are retired by 2030 as currently scheduled amid this increased demand. Add in the increasing frequency of natural disasters impacting the grid and it’s obvious something has to give.
The energy landscape is experiencing its own reboot, and propane is set to star in the upcoming season as a reliable, clean, versatile energy source that provides a wide range of affordable, grid-independent solutions.
In this new season, the propane we know has evolved into a major player, brimming with vitality and innovation. It’s still the same dependable fuel for warmth and comfort, but it’s much more than that now.
Now, propane has become a fixture in power generation, from home backup generators to combined heat and power systems (CHP) serving commercial and industrial facilities with high efficiency and low emissions. Propane powers more than 150 school buses in Newport News — and 22,000 more across the country — and other clean vehicles that are more affordable, quieter and better for air quality than diesel and gasoline vehicles.
Innovative research has led to breakthroughs in ultra-low carbon renewable propane, made from cooking waste, plant material and even captured CO2, that can power the same equipment as conventional propane at even lower carbon intensity. New, high-efficiency propane engines are being developed to serve a variety of sectors, including heavy trucking. Hank Hill’s head must be spinning as he contemplates the pace of propane’s progress.
It is rare to see a reboot that is as good as the original. In the case of propane (and propane accessories), the latest version is everything we love about the original, now energized by a limitless new set of possibilities. Virginia should tune in and take a fresh look at how propane can serve its energy needs and decrease reliance on the grid.
