MSSA President/member hosted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Representative Angie Craig in support of USDA’s HBIIP. The purpose of the HBIIP is to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The program is also intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to market higher blends by sharing the costs related to building out biofuel-related infrastructure.
Chan Smith, just as many other MSSA members are enjoying the opportunity updating liquid fueling infrastructure replacing tanks, piping, sumps, and dispensers handling a vast majority of liquid fuels through grants from the USDA and MDA. (Minnesota Department of Ag) As MPCA reminds Minnesota liquid fueling facilities, underground storage tanks with an age of 35-40 years, will need to be replaced.
With support from Sara Brenden and Andrew Falco of Growth Energy, Sara and Andrew guide MSSA members through the USDA grant writing process at a “no cost” to the MSSA member to write the grant. The grant writing process can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $7,000. MSSA members have also been able to “double-dip” also working with MDA’s grant program.
As many as twenty MSSA members have applied for HBIIP and work with Growth Energy and the Minnesota Department of Ag in grant assistance in updating their underground liquid fueling infrastructure.