FAQS

FACTS ABOUT PROPANE AND NORTHWEST ENERGY

Q. Is propane safe to use in my home?
A. Propane is a safe fuel to use in your home and business. Propane has a narrow range of flammability and cannot be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels because it is released as a vapor from a pressurized container.

Q. Is propane dangerous to the environment?
A. No. Propane is an approved, clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the cleanest-burning of all fossil fuels. Tests conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show that propane-fueled vehicles produce 30 percent to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and about 50 percent fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline engines. Propane also is nontoxic, so it's not harmful to soil or water.

Q. How can I be sure I'm handling propane gas properly in my home?
A. The propane industry has developed a comprehensive maintenance program, in which trained technicians inspect propane systems and appliances in homes to ensure they are running safely and efficiently. The program also educates homeowners about proper maintenance of propane appliances and how to handle propane safely. Give us a call, or stop at any one of our nine retail locations. A Northwest Energy representative is ready to answer your questions or provide assistance.

Q. Is propane really a convenient fuel?
A. Yes.
º In the United States there are approximately 70,000 miles of interstate pipelines and more than 25,000 retail dealers making propane readily available for most homeowners.
º Propane is stored in portable tanks, so it can be used in areas beyond gas mains. We offer a variety of tank sizes ranging from small cylinders through 30,000 gallon containers. Most homes in Michigan use 500-gallon tanks while larger homes and businesses use 1000-gallon tanks. We also offer buried underground tanks in a variety of sizes, and because propane is a non-toxic, non-poisonous fuel, you don't have to worry about the aquifer or soil contamination.
º Refueling a propane vehicle takes about the same amount of time as refueling a gasoline vehicle. Nationwide, propane refueling infrastructure consists of more than 10,000 public and private sites.

Q. Who uses propane?
A. Propane is a trusted and reliable energy source that is used by millions of Americans each day. It fulfills energy needs by burning cleanly and efficiently, giving consumers more value for their energy dollar. People use propane in and around their homes for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, outdoor grills, fireplaces, and appliances; on farms for uses such as pest control, crop drying, and irrigation pumps; for industrial uses such as forklifts and fleet vehicles; and in millions of commercial establishments, including restaurants and hotels that depend on propane for heating, cooking, and other uses.

Q. How long has Northwest Energy been providing propane and refined fuel services?
A. Northwest Energy has been providing warmth, comfort and peace of mind since 1956. Northwest Energy is a member of each of the communities it serves, as well as the National Propane Gas Association, Michigan Propane Gas Association, Better Business Bureau, and many other building and trade organizations.

Sources:
National Propane Gas Association/Propane Education & Research Council (2003)
U.S. Department of Energy (2003)
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (2003)
Governor's Ethanol Coalition (2003)