MN Bio-Fuels Urges Retailers To Apply For Infrastructure Grants As Deadline Nears

Burnsville, Oct 16 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) is urging retailers to apply for $4 million in available biofuel infrastructure grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) before the application deadline next week on Oct 23.

"Because E15 can be used in 96 percent of vehicles (all cars 2001 or newer) on the road today and offers higher octane at a lower price without sacrificing gas mileage, more and more retail gas stations across Minnesota are choosing to offer it to consumers. To stay competitive, we urge retailers who don't currently offer E15 - often marketed as Unleaded 88 - to apply for a biofuel infrastructure grant through MDA before next week's deadline. More access to E15 is good for Minnesota's environment and economy, as well as its family farmers who need strong domestic markets now more than ever," said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.

On Aug 25, MDA announced it would be awarding approximately $4 million in cost share assistance through its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program to expand access to E15 and other higher blends of ethanol.

Under the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program, applicants must have no more than 20 retail stations in Minnesota and may apply for between $5,000 and $199,000 per individual project. Applicants must commit to 35 percent of the total project costs. Program awards may be combined or stacked with Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) awards through the United States Department of Agriculture.

Applications are due by 4 pm on Oct 23. Retailers interested in applying for the grants or receiving assistance in navigating the application process are encouraged to contact MDA or MN Bio-Fuels.

Since the program began in 2021, the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program has provided 60 grants totaling $9.5 million, with grant recipients contributing another $11.6 million in matching funds.

There are currently 526 stations in Minnesota that sell Unleaded 88. As of Aug 31, 94.42 million gallons of E15 have been sold in Minnesota this year.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the average price differential between E15 and regular 87 fuel during this period was 13 cents a gallon, yielding a total of $12.27 million in savings at the pump for Minnesotans.