In a discussion about energy solutions for farms, Mike Newland, director of agricultural business development for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Newland highlighted the importance of backup power systems, especially during extreme weather. He emphasized the vulnerability of the current electrical grid, noting, “Our grid is probably more vulnerable today than it has been in a long time, and that’s due to power plants, the old ones, coming offline, and all the AI technology that’s coming online.” He explained that propane-powered generators can either supplement existing systems or fully power a farm continuously, ensuring that critical operations remain functional during outages. Newland also references the Department of Energy’s resource adequacy report, which he encourages producers to read.
Addressing financial considerations for growers, Newland described incentive programs available to support the transition to propane-powered equipment. He said, “Anybody that’s investing in propane powered equipment around the farm, we have a very unique program…farmers can get a rebate from us up to $10,000 when they purchase propane powered equipment.” He also recommended exploring national grant programs such as USDA’s REAP and EQUIP programs, which could potentially provide additional funding alongside the propane-specific rebate.
On the topic of propane accessibility and reliability, Newland reassured rural producers that supply is robust, noting, “We’ve got, gosh, roughly 3,000 companies selling propane around the country. We’ve got a lot of fuel.” He discussed advances in renewable propane, produced as a byproduct of sustainable aviation fuel, which has “a much lower carbon intensity score” than conventional propane, highlighting the fuel’s clean-burning qualities and its potential for future sustainability improvements.
Newland also touched on innovations in propane-powered agricultural equipment and technology. He described how propane is used in various new applications, saying, “So we’re killing weeds with propane. Classifies as organic pre plant, and then in crop as well. We’ve got a product out in California. We’re injecting steam prior to vegetables being planted, and then that same technology is going to be tested on strawberry production here very soon as well.” These examples illustrate ongoing efforts to expand propane’s versatility in agriculture beyond heating and drying.
Finally, Newland hinted at future developments in mobile and automated solutions, signaling ongoing innovation in propane technology for farms. He expressed optimism about the potential impact of these projects: “We’re always looking for new opportunities. We’re having some mobile ag discussions as well, and we’ll talk more about those hopefully in the coming years, as we get those projects up and get them running.” His comments reflect both the current utility of propane in farming and the sector’s evolving focus on efficiency, sustainability, and advanced automation.
