Page 14 - PPGA Propane Post Winter

Feature
THIS PLANT FUELS ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES
BY DEREK DALLING
PACIFIC PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION
Conventionally-produced propane is a “clean-burning alterna- tive fuel,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s been used for decades powering
light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
In the Pacific area, propane powers thousands of vehicles, residential wa-
ter heaters and furnaces, propane
appliances, generators, agricul- tural equipment, forklifts and more.
Propane’s unique 3-carbon-molecule offers “Near-Zero” emissions and a low
carbon intensity score. Propane offers fuel diversity to residents and businesses helping
them to meet their energy goals.
Renewable propane is the “new kid on the block” with regards to fuel diversity. Renewable propane is made from biomass based feedstocks, including cooking oil and animal fats, offering zero-emissions. Its carbon intensity score is less than con- ventional propane, and it’s ramping up on the alternative fuel
arena. Camelina (Camellia Sativa) is one substance that is posi- tioned to be a game changer in the renewable propane industry.
Camelina is from the Brassicaceae family (Brassica genus) con- taining oilseed (canola, mustard) and vegetable (cabbage, broc- coli, and bok choy). Like canola, Camelina seeds have a high oil content — 36% to 47% oil of the same high omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linoleic) profile. It also is high in protein (24% to 31%). As a food stuff, Camelina is not very tasty. But from an industri- al standpoint, it’s being used as a jet fuel, meeting standards as good as petroleum-based aviation fuel.
The plant has been around for centuries, originating in India as far back as 3,000 BC, with other data showing it’s growth along coastal Europe nearly 8,000 years ago. Today, it’s grown in the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, and North America.
The oil has one of the lowest carbon scores and can reduce 60% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as compared to petroleum fuel.
FARMER BENEFITS
Camelina offers farmers a number of benefits. It’s a fast-grow- ing plant and requires less water than many other crops. Farm-
14 | PACIFIC PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION