42 USC 17052 - Renewable fuel infrastructure grants

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 17052.

Renewable fuel infrastructure grants

(a)

Definition of renewable fuel blend

(b)

Infrastructure development grants

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Selection criteria

Not later than 12 months after December 19, 2007, the Secretary shall establish criteria for evaluating applications for grants under this subsection that will maximize the availability and use of renewable fuel blends, and that will ensure that renewable fuel blends are available across the country. Such criteria shall provide for—

(A)

consideration of the public demand for each renewable fuel blend in a particular geographic area based on State registration records showing the number of flexible-fuel vehicles;

(B)

consideration of the opportunity to create or expand corridors of renewable fuel blend stations along interstate or State highways;

(C)

consideration of the experience of each applicant with previous, similar projects;

(D)

consideration of population, number of flexible-fuel vehicles, number of retail fuel outlets, and saturation of flexible-fuel vehicles; and

(E)

priority consideration to applications that—

(i)

are most likely to maximize displacement of petroleum consumption, measured as a total quantity and a percentage;

(ii)

are best able to incorporate existing infrastructure while maximizing, to the extent practicable, the use of renewable fuel blends; and

(iii)

demonstrate the greatest commitment on the part of the applicant to ensure funding for the proposed project and the greatest likelihood that the project will be maintained or expanded after Federal assistance under this subsection is completed.

(3)

Limitations

Assistance provided under this subsection shall not exceed—

(A)

33 percent of the estimated cost of the installation, replacement, or conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure; or

(B)

$180,000 for a combination of equipment at any one retail outlet location.

(4)

Operation of renewable fuel blend stations

(5)

Notification requirements

(6)

Double counting

(7)

Reservation of funds

(c)

Retail technical and marketing assistance

The Secretary shall enter into contracts with entities with demonstrated experience in assisting retail fueling stations in installing refueling systems and marketing renewable fuel blends nationally, for the provision of technical and marketing assistance to recipients of grants under this section. Such assistance shall include—

(1)

technical advice for compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental requirements;

(2)

help in identifying supply sources and securing long-term contracts; and

(3)

provision of public outreach, education, and labeling materials.

(d)

Refueling infrastructure corridors

(1)

In general

(2)

Grant purposes

A grant under this subsection shall be used for the establishment of refueling infrastructure corridors, as designated by the Secretary, for renewable fuel blends, including—

(A)

installation of infrastructure and equipment necessary to ensure adequate distribution of renewable fuel blends within the corridor;

(B)

installation of infrastructure and equipment necessary to directly support vehicles powered by renewable fuel blends; and

(C)

operation and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment installed as part of a project funded by the grant.

(3)

Applications

(A)

Requirements

(i)

In general

(ii)

Minimum requirements

At a minimum, the Secretary shall require that an application for a grant under this subsection—

(I)

be submitted by—

(aa)

the head of a State, tribal, or local government or a metropolitan transportation authority, or any combination of those entities; and

(bb)

a registered participant in the Vehicle Technology Deployment Program of the Department; and

(II)

include—

(aa)

a description of the project proposed in the application, including the ways in which the project meets the requirements of this subsection;

(bb)

an estimate of the degree of use of the project, including the estimated size of fleet of vehicles operated with renewable fuels blend available within the geographic region of the corridor, measured as a total quantity and a percentage;

(cc)

an estimate of the potential petroleum displaced as a result of the project (measured as a total quantity and a percentage), and a plan to collect and disseminate petroleum displacement and other relevant data relating to the project to be funded under the grant, over the expected life of the project;

(dd)

a description of the means by which the project will be sustainable without Federal assistance after the completion of the term of the grant;

(ee)

a complete description of the costs of the project, including acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance costs over the expected life of the project; and

(ff)

a description of which costs of the project will be supported by Federal assistance under this subsection.

(B)

Partners

(4)

Selection criteria

In evaluating applications under the pilot program, the Secretary shall—

(A)

consider the experience of each applicant with previous, similar projects; and

(B)

give priority consideration to applications that—

(i)

are most likely to maximize displacement of petroleum consumption, measured as a total quantity and a percentage;

(ii)

are best able to incorporate existing infrastructure while maximizing, to the extent practicable, the use of advanced biofuels;

(iii)

(iv)

represent a partnership of public and private entities; and

(v)

exceed the minimum requirements of paragraph (3)(A)(ii).

(5)

Pilot project requirements

(A)

Maximum amount

(B)

Cost sharing

(C)

Maximum period of grants

(D)

Deployment and distribution

(E)

Transfer of information and knowledge

(6)

Schedule

(A)

Initial grants

(i)

In general

(ii)

Deadline

(iii)

Initial selection

(B)

Additional grants

(i)

In general

(ii)

Deadline

(iii)

Initial selection

(7)

Reports to Congress

(A)

Initial report

Not later than 60 days after the date on which grants are awarded under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing—

(i)

an identification of the grant recipients and a description of the projects to be funded under the pilot program;

(ii)

an identification of other applicants that submitted applications for the pilot program but to which funding was not provided; and

(iii)

a description of the mechanisms used by the Secretary to ensure that the information and knowledge gained by participants in the pilot program are transferred among the pilot program participants and to other interested parties, including other applicants that submitted applications.

(B)

Evaluation

(e)

Restriction

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 110–140, title II, § 244, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1541.)

cite as: 42 USC 17052