Biofuel Infrastructure

The use of both biodiesel and ethanol results in significant reductions in petroleum use as well as lowering greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, according to the Argonne National Laboratory, corn-based ethanol production and use reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 52% compared to gasoline.

That’s why Clean Energy Mobility is proud to offer a suite of incentives aimed at increasing the availability of biofuels throughout Michigan. Combined with state and federal tax incentives, our incentives can cover the costs of most of the ethanol or biodiesel infrastructure (e.g., new tanks, pumps, etc.).

In addition to providing resources for regional biofuel infrastructure, Clean Energy Mobility is working to promote bio-based products through a pilot program that provides financing for jurisdictions to test and sample bio-based materials as a substitute to conventionally used products.

Biofuel initiatives include:

I-75 Green Corridor: This project is working to establish a green corridor along I-75, from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to the Florida Keys, through the installation of ethanol and biodiesel pumps at intervals of 200 miles. Clean Energy Mobility, as part of a wider project through the University of Tennessee, provides matching grants of up to $30,000 per facility for the installation of, or conversion to, biodiesel (i.e., B20 or higher) pumps along I-75 in Michigan. In addition, the grant can be used for E85 pumps, or for the conversion to E85 pumps.

2012 Michigan Ethanol Infrastructure & Marketing Incentive: This project provides financial assistance to public service stations installing or converting to ethanol blender pumps. These pumps mix ethanol and regular unleaded gasoline on-site, providing for greater variety of ethanol products. Grants of up to $10,000 per pump are available. Additionally, awards of up to $5,000 or 50% of the total cost (whichever is smaller) for marketing and advertising of ethanol fuel availability are available.

Download the 2012 Michigan Ethanol Infrastructure & Marketing Incentive program details here.

Michigan E85 Infrastructure:This project offers financial assistance for initiatives that increase E85 infrastructure in Michigan. When the project is complete, five E85 stations and 10 pumps will be installed throughout the state. Four sites are currently operating: Sebewaing, Elkton, Whitmore Lake, and Howell. One more site is planned for 2011. This U.S. Department of Energy Recovery Act Project’s petroleum displacement is estimated at more than 800,000 gallons annually.

Bio-Based Products Program: Clean Energy Mobility, in partnership with the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MPSC), is working to promote bio-based products through a pilot procurement program with municipal project partners in southeast Michigan. The project will work to identify viable bio-based substitutes for conventional materials used by municipal partners in building and vehicle fleet applications. After the testing phase of the project, Clean Energy Coalition will research procurement policies and establish best practices to help develop purchase ordinances and policies conducive to continued adoption of bio-based products. Following pilot completion, the team will evaluate and summarize feedback results, while promoting the identified products through the company website and at regional outreach events.

Project Partners

• Corn Marketing Program of Michigan
• University of Tennessee: Governor Supports Biofuel Initiative
• U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program
• Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC)

 

Successes

• E85 Infrastructure: Eight E85/blender pumps operational at Ignash Petroleum in Elkton, Mich.
• E85 Infrastructure: Two E85 blender pumps operational at Cooperative Elevator Company in Sebewaing, Mich.
• E85 Infrastructure: Two Michigan sites under construction for Corrigan Oil Company
• E85 Infrastructure: 10 of 13 pumps installed with 9,000 gallons of E85 dispensed and 6,300 gallons of petroleum displaced in 2010
• I-75 Green Corridor: One Detroit site planned
• 2011 Michigan Blender Pump Incentive: Recently announced

Program Contact Information

Joel Baetens
Project Manager
734.585.5720 x11
joel@cec-mi.org