The State of Energy

Ignite The Propane Conversation. The State of Energy is a podcast / broadcast show that brings you everything you ever needed to know about propane. For your home, business or farm. For fleets of school buses or forklifts. We will discuss how “Propane Can Do That”.

Propane, Power, and Policy Featuring Michael Baker, Chief Legislative Officer, National Propane Gas Association

Send us a text We question “zero emissions” labels, unpack Colorado’s coal-to-gas reality, and explore why propane often outperforms grid-charged EVs on lifecycle emissions. Michael Baker joins to decode the shutdown, Clean Cities funding, and how to keep energy policy pragmatic. • Ride-and-drive insights on propane vehicles versus EVs • The Comanche coal plant’s debt, timelines, and grid impact • Lifecycle versus tailpipe emissions clarity for fleets • Growth in demand from data centers and...

11-05
30:12

Montana’s 25% Propane Truck Rebate: Big Savings, Clean Energy

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt mix humor with hard-hitting facts about clean energy, sports, and smart preparation for winter. The duo dives into Montana’s new DEQ rebate program that covers 25% of the cost of new propane-powered trucks, a game-changer for fleet operators replacing old diesel rigs. They also roast the growing list of failed EV bus projects nationwide — from Austin to Prince Edward Island — proving that propane continues ...

10-19
24:58

Propane-powered touchdown: Scoring Big at the Parade of Homes

Send us a text Football season is here, and The State of Energy is kicking things off with a propane-powered touchdown! Hosts Rand DeWitt and Tom Clark, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Propane Association, dive into the grand opening of the Propane House at the Top of Utah Parade of Homes. From propane clothes dryers and water heaters to fireplaces, ranges, and even backup generators, Tom and Randy walk through how propane powers an efficient, comfortable, and lower-emission li...

09-20
25:00

Blackouts, Wildfires, and King of the Hill’s Propane Comeback

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt dive into a whirlwind of topics—from Hank Hill’s propane-fueled return on Hulu to real-world lessons from Utah’s wildfires and rolling blackouts. They break down how propane generators and appliances can keep homes running when the grid goes down, why California’s “clean truck” mandates just hit a wall with the FTC, and how propane continues to prove itself as the ultimate on-site energy battery. With a mix...

08-19
24:42

EPA Rollback, DEF Drama, and the Propane Path to Cleaner Engines

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, Rand DeWitt and Tom Clark break down the EPA’s proposed rollback of the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding and what it could mean for farmers, truckers, and fleets facing costly DEF systems and looming 2027 emission standards. From skyrocketing truck prices to the surprising truth about “zero emissions,” they explore how propane engines—already meeting future requirements—offer a cleaner, cost-effective alternative. Plus, they...

08-13
24:59

America’s Back, Vegas Cabs, and the Propane Battery That Never Dies

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, Rand DeWitt and Tom Clark celebrate America’s post–4th of July spirit, from flag-filled streets to the fireworks fallout. They reveal why Las Vegas taxi fleets are racking up over 50 million clean miles a year on propane, explore a half-billion-dollar port infrastructure grant opportunity, and tackle the looming U.S. power grid crisis. Plus, Tom makes the case for propane as the ultimate “battery” for backup generators, water heaters, fir...

07-16
24:58

National Strategic Propane Reserve- Could the Gov plan have any value to consumers?

Send us a text In this Independence Day episode of The State of Energy, Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt unpack everything from rain-soaked propane showcases in New Mexico to billion-dollar federal grants for low-emission transit. They break down the push for a national propane reserve, the real state of propane supply, and how your community can tap into major funding for propane-powered buses. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, was joined by Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana...

07-03
24:59

Watt the Heck? Why Propane Still Makes Sense

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, Tom Clark and Rand Dewitt ask the big, burning question: “Watt the heck is going on with energy policy?” From the push to electrify everything (including your toaster, your truck, and possibly your dog) to propane’s starring role as the quiet hero of reliable, clean energy—this show cuts through the static. The guys talk real-world energy needs, resilience, affordability, and why propane should never be the punchline in the clean energy c...

06-10
25:35

Rockets, Renewables, and Real-World Solutions

Send us a text In this episode of The State of Energy, hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt take listeners on a journey from outer space to backyards and boiler rooms. They break down the staggering environmental impact of Blue Origin’s recent 11-minute space flight, which reportedly emitted more carbon than the average person will over their entire lifetime. The conversation then pivots to a cleaner path forward—highlighting Orbex’s use of low-emissions bio-propane to power its eco-conscious rock...

04-29
24:54

Protecting American Energy from State Overreach

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Reand DeWitt to discuss propane Autogas conversions, the water heater standard, and protecting American Energy from State Overreach.

04-14
25:51

Underground tank corrosion

Send us a text The State of Energy talks with Matt Tredinnick and Kevin Jaffe with mopeka about underground tank corrosion and how to monitor your tank protection annodes

03-28
35:52

Clean the Air with Special Guest EV Auto Owner Alex Lawrence

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt with Special Guest EV Auto Owner Alex Lawrence. Alex spent his first 20 years in business as a self made entrepreneur that started, led and sold multiple companies. These ventures were built across software, consumer Internet, commercial real estate, venture capital and franchising. Alex raised over $25MM in capital and had one partnership reach #34 on the Inc. 500 list. Five years ago Alex left the world of entrepreneurship t...

02-21
27:22

Fracking pioneer Chris Wright confirmed as Energy Secretary

Send us a text Fracking pioneer Chris Wright confirmed as Energy Secretary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq9-QB6Zl78 https://nypost.com/2025/02/03/us-news/fracking-pioneer-chris-wright-confirmed-as-trumps-energy-secretary/ https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2025/02/05/why-the-energy-crisis-demands-an-all-of-the-above-approach-and-where-renewable-propane-fits-the-picture/ https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/ford-loses-another-51b-on-evs-a-question

02-16
25:00

Tom buys a Tesla... for research

Send us a text The Rocky Mountain Propane Association (RMPA) announced the renewal of the home builder incentive program, offering up to $1,500 per home for installing propane appliances, effective March 1. Last year, the program distributed $2 million. The hosts emphasized propane's cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, particularly in areas with dirty electricity. They also discussed the challenges of building a propane-powered home, including dealing with homeowners associations a...

02-08
32:28

Special Guest Robert Bryce: Energy Realism is Energy Humanism

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand Dewit welcomes Robert Bryce to discuss Energy, Power, and Propane. https://robertbryce.com/ https://robertbryce.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JuiceTheSeries

01-17
25:04

EPA approves California ban on gas cars

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt discuss energy in the news. The EPA has approved California's ban on gas-powered vehicles by 2035 The State of Energy will buy an EV and report back each month, giving our audience real-world insight into EV ownership. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/18/epa-approves-california-plan-to-ban-gas-only-cars-starting-in-2035-.html

12-28
25:00

Top 5 Propane Christmas Gifts

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt talk about the California ban on disposable propane tanks and how you can get a refillable 1lb propane tank. And the top 5 propane gifts for Christmas

12-13
24:53

The next Secretary of Energy Loves Propane

Send us a text The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt discuss the next Energy Secretary and why he loves propane. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/chris-wright-an-unapologetic-energy

11-27
24:55

Montana DEQ Grant pays 50% of new propane powered vehicle

Send us a text Montana DEQ Grant pays 50% of new propane-powered vehicles. The State of Energy hosts Tom Clark and Rand DeWitt discuss the Montana DEQ spending the last of their VW money on 50% vehicle grants for propane-powered vehicles. https://deq.mt.gov/energy/Programs/fuels https://www.fleetowner.com/equipment/article/21145001/vws-traton-set-to-acquire-navistar-for-37-billion https://electrek.co/2024/10/28/ford-tops-q3-earnings-but-ev-losses-weigh-profits/ https://propane.com/abou...

11-03
25:04

One Billion Dollar Giveaway

Send us a text One billion dollars is available in rebates for clean propane powered school buses. Tom and Rand talk and the latest round of funding from the EPA for Clean Propane powered school buses. Contact your local school district transportation manager and let them know how to get $35,000 rebate per school bus. This is not a grant program. Rebates have less red tape and are easier to get. https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus https://propane.com/pcrp/ https://propane.com/about/incentiv...

10-18
25:00

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