Grants available for Maine businesses to expand ethanol, biodiesel options
Courtesy / USDA
Maine USDA State Director Tim Hobbs will host a webinar about the USDA's Higher Blends Infrastructure Fuel grant program Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Businesses that want to make ethanol and biodiesel fuel available to customers or employees can get a financial boost from $100 million worth of grants being offered by the the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grants are for fueling stations, convenience stores, fleet centers, fuel terminals and others that provide motor fuel.
“As the coronavirus response continues, America’s energy independence has proven critical to our economic security now more than ever,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky in a news release.
Maine USDA Director Tim Hobbs said the program is an opportunity for Maine businesses, such as fueling stations and convenience stores, to provide clean ethanol and biodiesel fuel options for customers. The competitive grant program will help finance the upgraded infrastructure by sharing the costs related to installing fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure.
The program is also aimed at helping farmers. U.S. farmers are producing record amounts of feedstock for renewable fuels, according to the USDA. Lower commodity prices, though, paired with the record production, have made the market uncertain. Biofuels made from the feed stock reduces air pollution and support rural economic development, the USDA says on the webpage devoted to the program.
Approximately 93% of the 263 million vehicles registered in the U.S. are able to use E15. In addition, there are more than 22 million flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are capable of utilizing ethanol blends up to E85. The HBIIP program will aid in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies.
The grants pay for up to 50% of total eligible project costs up to $5 million. Some $86 million of the grants are for higher blends of fuel ethanol and $14 million is for higher blends of biodiesel. Higher biofuel blends are fuels that contain ethanol greater than 10% by volume or containing biodiesel blends greater than 5%.
The USDA has launched an online portal to begin accepting applications for the grants. Electronic applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Paper applications will not be accepted. Maine businesses can find out more about the grants in a free webinar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, hosted by Hobbs. The webinar will cover compliance requirements, application process, resources and more.
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Ethanol and bio fuel are not good for the environment. Government needs to stop giving tax payer money away in this con.
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