Your safety and that of our employees are our most important concern!
Propane is a safe, reliable fuel. Like many other fuels, however, it is flammable. That means it can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Remember, in order to protect you, your family and others you must be aware of (and respect the normal, everyday hazards around you. Propane is no exception.
A Pressure Situation
The propane in your gas system is stored under pressure. While it's stored, there's no problem. But, in the unlikely event your system develops a leak (which can be caused by physical damage or deterioration), it can become dangerous.
Propane burns at an even rate when properly mixed with air, as in your stove or furnace. But, if a leak occurs, a flame or spark could ignite it. If that happens, it could cause a fire - or even an explosion. Although such accidents are rare, want you to be aware of this possibility.
Know Your Propane System
Your propane system has four basic parts:
1. A tank or cylinder, equipped with a main shutoff valve;
2. One or more regulators, designed to reduce pressure between the container and your
appliance(s);
3. Gas piping, to carry the propane to your appliance(s);
4. Gas appliance(s)
The tank or cylinder is where the propane is stored. It is with a shutoff valve, which turns the gas "on".
A Home that is Environmentally Friendly
Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air act as
well as the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 - making it an ideal energy
source for those dedicated to protecting and preserving our plant.
Propane is one of the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. It creates less pollution, providing all of us with cleaner, more breathable air.
Burning coal to generate electricity releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Per pound of fuel burned, coal emits more than twice the amount of carbon dioxide as propane. By using propane gas instead of electricity, you can cut emissions and help preserve the environment.
Coal-burning power plants produce power at about 40% fuel efficiency. That means you would need 714 pounds of coal to run a single 100 watt light bulb continuously for one year. Extend that to the annual power usage in a typical American home and you'll need xx tons of coal this year to power your home? By contrast, the fuel efficiency of propane appliances is often well above 90%/
Accouding to the EPA, much of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, which produces acid rain, is attributable to coal-fired, electricity-generating facilities. In contrast, neither the process by which propane is produced, nor the combustion of propane gas produces signirficant acid rain contaminants.
The organic form of mercury, methylmercury, is one of the six most serious pollution threats to the planet. Coal-burning power plants are the single largest source of mercury pollution, and the only major source the government still does not regulate. Analysts estimated 98,000 pounds (49 tons) of mercury are emitted directly into the air each year by hundreds of coal-burning power plants in the U.S.
Reducing your usage of electricity can make a powerful difference to our environment. Propane is nontoxic, so it's not harmful to soil or water. Because propane does not endanger the environment, the placement of propane tanks either above or below ground is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
New Propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and many models even meet the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards.
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