Propane is colourless and odourless, with a mercaptan odour. Like all fossil fuels, propane
is a non-renewable energy source. Propane is a gas derived from natural gas
and petroleum. It is found mixed with natural gas and petroleum deposits. Propane is
called a ‘fossil fuel’ because it was formed millions of years ago from the remains of tiny
sea animals and plants. Propane is a clean-burning, versatile fuel. It is used by nearly
everyone, in homes, on farms, by business, and in industry mostly for producing heat and
operating equipment. Propane is one of the many fossil fuels included in the liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) family. Because propane is the type of LPG most commonly used in
the United States, propane and LPG are often used synonymously. Butane is another LPG
often used in lighters.
