Retailer & Supplier Hub
Gain a Competitive Advantage with E15
Fuels with higher blends of ethanol such as E15 (UNL 88) and E85 are already offered at 6,000 sites across the U.S. and can give you and your company a competitive advantage. Higher ethanol blends:
- Boost your bottom line
- Give your guests a low-cost fuel option
- Lower GHG emissions
- Increase marketing opportunities
- Provide access to infrastructure funding at both the state and federal levels
- Enhance engine performance
Learn more below, or by reaching out to Growth Energy Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer.
The USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Program
In July 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) made $450MM available for biofuel infrastructure through September 2024 under the Inflation Reduction Act. The program will share the costs related to upgrading fuel dispensers (gas and diesel pumps), related equipment, underground storage tanks (USTs), and other infrastructure required to ensure the environmentally safe availability of biofuels.
- The program makes $90 million available per quarter:
- $67.5 million for biofuels.
- $18 million for fuel distribution.
- $4.5 million for heating oil.
- Per applicant, there’s a limit of $5 million available per quarter, for a maximum of $15 million per entity throughout the duration of the 18-month program.
- Operators with 10 or fewer stores are eligible for a 75% cost share.
- Operators with greater than 10 stores are eligible for a 50% cost share.
Fueling stations are eligible to apply, along with fleet facilities, rail and marine operations, terminal operations, midstream partners, and home heating oil operations. All of these parties are able to apply for and secure funds under the Higher Blend Infrastructure Program.
This chart shows how the funding is divided into rolling 90-day application periods. For more information you can refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity or Federal Register.
With the current state of the gasoline and retail industry in the United States, many factors go into determining the success of capital investments by retailers. Gross margins, fuel volumes and traffic patterns all contribute to successful fueling stations.
One place many retailers start is by planning on including E15 in their new build or scrap and re-build plans. More terminals are offering pre-blended E15 making access to supply easier and easier to obtain.
