During Winter Storm Uri just a year ago and countless other power disruptions created by severe weather, propane has continually proven to be a reliable source of primary and backup power for homes and businesses.
According to National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over the past four decades, extreme weather events have increased, on average, by 4.4 percent in the United States. More than 300 weather events that each caused over $1 billion in damage have hit the U.S. since 1980, with high-impact disasters increasing significantly since 2007.
According to a study commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to gauge consumer confidence in the electric grid, 23 percent of the more than 4,000 respondents have purchased a generator over the past two years and 54 percent have considered one.
During Winter Storm Uri, many Texas communities relied on propane as an emergency power source when the electric grid failed. Propane kept Texans warm and fed, and cities relied on propane-powered generators to keep their critical infrastructure operating.
PERC shared an expanded version of this story with the AP news, other news outlets, and the Texas Municipal League.
In a recent news release, Tucker Perkins of the Propane Education & Research Council stated, "We encourage city leaders to include propane on their emergency checklist. Uri showed us the severe complications that arise when electricity is not available for extended periods of time, and we're committed to providing a reliable and affordable energy source for all Americans."