The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to award approximately $22 million in competitive grants to expand the sale and use of renewable fuels, including biodiesel. Specifically, USDA said the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentives (HBIIP) program aims to encourage a comprehensive approach to marketing higher blends by sharing the costs relating to upgrading of fuel dispensers (gas and diesel pumps), related equipment, and other infrastructure required at a location to ensure the environmentally safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends greater than 10 percent or fuel containing biodiesel blends greater than 5 percent.
Applicants can include fueling stations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, and similar entities with capital investments for eligible activities that support ethanol blends higher than E10. Applicants can also be terminal operations, depots, and midstream partners, for eligible implementation activities related to higher blends of biodiesel greater than 5 percent biodiesel, such as B20 or higher.
Grants will be awarded for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, but not more than $3 million.
Earlier in 2020, the USDA awarded several grants under the HBIIP including several NATSO members.
The online application system will open back up on December 21 and will close January 19. NATSO members with questions about how to apply are encouraged to contact the Alternative Fuels Council. The Alternative Fuels Council also will be following up with its clients with additional information regarding the grant.
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