The State of Energy

Zions National Park transitions to Coal Powered Buses giving up Clean Propane Buses

Rocky Mountain Propane Association Season 5 Episode 17

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Zions National Park has recently made a transition from propane to coal.
Following a $33 million taxpayer-funded investment after 25 years of clean and affordable transportation powered by propane. A study from NREL suggests that this transition in Utah could result in 30% more emissions compared to the old propane buses. However, there is optimism for the future, aiming to power these electric buses with clean electricity…. 

The key questions that arise are whether these new electric buses will match the longevity of the propane fleet and if Utah can achieve cleaner electricity surpassing the efficiency of propane. With $33 million, one wonders how many new ultra-clean propane buses could have been purchased? Time will be the ultimate revealer of the outcomes. I wonder if park management has the intuition to retaining the old, reliable propane fleet to address EV challenges and ensure a seamless experience for visitors exploring the wonders of Zions National Park.

What do you think a 25 year old electric buss would look like compared to a 25 year old propane bus? 

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