NATIONAL (Jan. 20, 2023) — On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, the New York Times published an article with claims that the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has been misusing funds as laid out by the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA) of 1996 that established the council. The article alleged that PERC is spending money outside of the bounds of PERA by investing in a widespread, pro-propane marketing campaign.
The Times reporter also made claims that PERC and the propane industry are pushing an anti-climate agenda, favoring the future of the industry over the future of the climate.
PERC has since published an excerpt from an email sent to the Times in response to the allegations of the article. In the email, PERC outlines how the propane industry is fighting for decarbonization and why their use of funds is included under the scope of PERA. With technological advances and the development of renewable propane, PERC states to the Times, the industry is working toward a low-carbon future.
"We are realists who understand both the urgency of acting now and the need to pursue a wider path that includes electricity, renewables like solar, wind and renewable propane, as well as low carbon alternative energies," said PERC in the email. "This is not anti-electrification. It is pro-decarbonization."
The email response continued by pointing out the three separate occasions in which Congress has reviewed PERC's spending. The propane council further asserted that no limitations were made on PERC's spending activities in any of those reviews.
Read PERC's full response here.
