Propane and Education Research Council (PERC) produces research related to the use of propane. The educational material created by PERC highlights the benefits of propane over other energy sources and counters arguments against the use of propane.

Introduction

Propane and Education Research Council was created by Congress as a non-governmental organization in 1996. ¹ The organization is governed by a 21-member board appointed by the National Propane Gas Association and the GPA Midstream Association, which includes nine members from each association and three public members. ²

Activities

PERC produces research reports that promote the use of propane over other sources of energy. ³ The organization claims that as a stationary source of energy, as opposed to sources that are produced at a generation facility and then transmitted to the customer, in other words “grid-generated electricity,” ⁴ propane produces 43 percent less greenhouse gas emissions when compared with the average greenhouse gas emission levels of grid-generated electricity. ⁵

PERC claims that propane can be used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline. ⁶ The organization states that a school bus powered by propane emits 12 percent fewer greenhouse gases, 15 percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 38 percent less sulfur oxide (SOx) compared to gas-powered school buses. ⁷

PERC produces research that seeks to counter arguments made against the use of propane. ⁸ The arguments in opposition to propane addressed by PERC range from the degree to which propane is environmentally friendly, the environmental impact of propane production compared to competitors, and whether propane is a renewable source of energy. ⁹

PERC claims that while some argue that electricity is an environmentally superior heating source, PERC asserts that this is not entirely true because many electricity generators use non-weather dependent sources of energy. ¹⁰ In addition, whereas many electricity sources can contaminate groundwater and marine eco-systems, liquid propane does not because it dissipates into the air. ¹¹

PERC states that while propane is traditionally considered a non-renewable source of energy because it is a byproduct of natural gas production, ¹² propane can be sourced from renewable sources because it can be collected as a byproduct of producing biodiesel from animal fat and cooking oil. ¹³

Finances

Propane and Education Research Council is funded through the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), which establishes an assessment on each gallon of odorized propane in the United States as well as imported propane. ¹⁴

In 2019, PERA received $39,714,795 in contributions ¹⁵ toward $40,099,925 in total revenue, ¹⁶ incurred $31,267,708 in expenses, ¹⁷ and held $29,758,079 in net assets. ¹⁸

Leadership

Tucker Perkins is the president and CEO of PERC. ¹⁹ Prior to joining PERC, Perkins was the president and CEO of CleanFuel USA, ²⁰ a manufacturer of propane gas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. ²¹

1. “About” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
2. “About” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
3. “About” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
4. “About” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
5. “About” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
6. “Environment – The Environmentally Friendly Energy for Everyone.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/
7. “Environment – The Environmentally Friendly Energy for Everyone.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/
8. “Myth Busting – Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
9. “Myth Busting – Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
10. “Myth Busting – Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
11. “Myth Busting – Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
12. “Myth Busting  -Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
13. “Myth Busting – Propane and the Environment.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/environment/myth-busting/
14. “About.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/
15. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Propane and Education Research Council. Part 1, line 8.  2019.
16. ^[1] Propane and Education Research Council. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, line 12.
17. Propane and Education Research Council. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, line 18.
18. Propane and Education Research Council. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, line 22.
19. “Staff – Tucker Perkins.” Propane and Education Research Council. https://propane.com/about-perc/staff/
20. “Tucker Perkins.” LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tucker-perkins-8972a510/
21. “CleanFUEL USA Expands Retail Propane Refueling Dispenser Options.” Cision. June 23, 2010. Accessed March 25, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cleanfuel-usa-expands-retail-propane-refueling-dispenser-options-96973864.html