The U.S. just reached a new milestone in exporting a fossil fuel that doesn't get a ton of attention: Butane. 

Newly released data show exports set a record last year. 

While many Americans may think of butane as lighter fluid, it can be used as a cooking fuel or an ingredient in high-octane blended gasoline. 

Most of the butane the U.S. is shipping overseas is heading to Africa and Asia, where countries like Morocco, Indonesia and India have subsidies in place to encourage its usage as a cleaner way to prepare food than wood or charcoal.

Exporting record amounts of butane to Africa and Asia for cooking fuel is a positive step towards cleaner energy use. Encouraging its usage over wood or charcoal can have significant environmental benefits in these regions.