Written on: April 28, 2022 by ICM
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. has announced the commercial launch of Propane+rDME produced by Oberon Fuels, a new product that combines propane with the renewable, low carbon benefits of renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) to help create a pathway for lowering emissions to meet aggressive carbon reduction standards. It is available in southern California.
This new product is the first commercially available blend of either traditional, or renewable propane, and rDME. The resulting blended alternative product has a lower carbon intensity and can be used as a drop-in replacement for propane engines in both on-road and off-road applications. The addition of rDME further enhances the clean air and low carbon benefits of the base fuel and allows customers to reduce their carbon footprint, while continuing to use their existing assets without the need for additional investments in equipment and infrastructure.
Oberon Fuels said it enables up to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions for this popular fuel used in vehicles, forklifts, farm equipment, backyard grills and outdoor heaters.
“At Suburban Propane, we seek out innovative solutions and investments to help lead the pathway toward a low carbon economy, and Propane+rDME is the next step in the evolution of clean alternative fuels,” said Michael Stivala, President & CEO of Suburban Propane. “This low carbon energy source is just a steppingstone to a carbon-neutral, and even carbon negative, future for the propane industry. We are proud to partner with Oberon Fuels to see the culmination of our joint visions for providing solutions for a greener tomorrow. This exciting new product leverages Suburban Propane’s significant infrastructure and more than 90-year legacy of safely delivering propane across the country, and Oberon’s expertise as the only commercial producer of rDME in the United States.”
“Blending renewable DME (rDME) with propane can reduce the emissions profile and fits readily with existing storage, transportation and fueling infrastructure,” said Rebecca Boudreaux, President & CEO of Oberon. “Oberon’s rDME is a straightforward and scalable way for propane distributors and their customers to become more sustainable and will lead to overall emissions reductions from the propane sector which is a critical step to meeting global climate commitments.”
Visit www.suburbanpropane.com/rdme or www.oberonfuels.com
