ATLANTA, Ga. – The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), meeting her recently, approved a commercial mower incentive program designed to encourage the widespread adoption of propane-fueled mowers by putting as many as 600 new mowers into service nationwide.
Eligible groundskeepers can get up to $1,000 for buying a qualifying propane-fueled commercial mower and sharing details with PERC about their use and operation of the mower for one year. Compared with gasoline mowers, propane mowers can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by more than 80% and greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50%.
"Landscaping firms, local governments, colleges and universities, and lawn care pros are switching to propane-fueled mowers because they offer lower emissions, cost less to operate, and run on an abundant, domestically produced fuel," PERC President and CEO Roy Willis said. "With this incentive program, a mower operator can earn $1,000 by using a great product and reporting on its performance."
While meeting in Atlanta, PERC re-elected all five of its officers for another one-year term:
- Chairman: Joe Armentano, Paraco Gas, Rye Brook, NY
- Vice Chairman-Marketers: Paula Wilson, AmeriGas, Valley Forge, PA
- Vice Chairman-Producers: Joe Gump, ConocoPhillips, Dacula, GA
- Treasurer: Gerry Misel, Georgia Gas Distributors, Sandy Springs, GA
- Secretary: Eric Benson, JS West & Co., Modesto, CA
They will serve on the Executive Committee through July 2013. Among their biggest projects for the coming year will be leading the development of the Council’s strategic plan.
The Council’s top priority remains the research and development of new propane-fueled products and the safety and training programs that support them, Armentano said. "We’ve taken some big steps in our research and development efforts, and commercial mowers are just one example of that work," he said. "This year we will push harder to bring more propane-fueled appliances, vehicles, and equipment to market."
The Council will next meet July 11 and 12 in Napa, CA.
