Farmers Urged to “Prepare with Propane” Amid Growing Energy Reliability Concerns

With blackouts on the rise, National Propane Day underscores propane’s value in keeping agriculture businesses running.

RICHMOND, Va. (October 1, 2025) – As concern for energy reliability surges nationwide, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) celebrates National Propane Day by encouraging farmers to explore propane as a reliable, on-site energy solution that can support greater peace of mind in uncertain times.

October 7 marks the fourth annual National Propane Day, and this year’s theme, “Prepare with Propane,” is a reminder of propane’s reliability when other systems may fail. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy warns that blackouts in the United States could increase 100-fold by 2030 as the electric grid struggles to meet growing demand. Because propane is stored on site and never degrades, it remains ready even during widespread power disruptions.

For agriculture operations, that reliability is critical. Propane powers grain-drying equipment, irrigation engines, building and water heating systems, and standby generators—keeping harvest schedules on track and protecting livestock regardless of grid conditions. Propane’s reduced emissions also help producers meet sustainability goals while reducing maintenance costs compared to diesel or gasoline.

“Farmers can’t afford downtime during harvest or calving season,” said Mike Newland, PERC’s director of agriculture business development. “Propane gives them the confidence that their grain dryers, irrigation pumps, and backup generators will run when the grid can’t. It’s energy independence right on the farm.”

To help producers prepare, PERC offers planning resources, equipment incentives, and connections to local propane suppliers at Propane.com/Agriculture. By investing in propane-powered equipment now, farmers can safeguard operations against outages, cut emissions, and secure an energy source that’s ready whenever it’s needed.

For more information about National Propane Day and propane’s role in agriculture, visit www.Propane.com.
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About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.