There is funding available for gas retailers to install ethanol blender pumps, the trick is navigating the application process to get it.
That’s where Blend Your Own (BYO) Ethanol can help. The joint effort by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is playing a key role in helping expedite the USDA REAP (Rural Energy for American Program) application process to install more ethanol blender pumps across the country.
RFA Director of Market Development, Robert White says BYO Ethanol has worked hand in hand with the USDA on the application process for 61 new blender pumps to be installed. “BYO has helped guide a number of retailers through the lengthy application process. We worked with states from Hawaii to Pennsylvania and helped walked retailers through the business advantages of blender pumps and the application process. We feel our efforts in helping answer questions and concerns from retailers will go a long way towards helping the USDA achieve the blender pump goals in participating states,” White said.
ACE Vice President of Market Development, Ron Lamberty, says retailers were pleased with the assistance they received from the BYO team. “We helped them navigate the application process, which is a process not familiar to most petroleum retailers. We basically had six weeks to help them walk them through things like establishing budgets and define narratives, locate fuel supply and composing a technical report. By helping with this, the BYO campaign is helping the country reach its renewable fuel goals and break oil’s stranglehold on the market,” Lamberty said.
The USDA announced the REAP fund program for blender pumps this spring. The program’s goal is get 10,000 blender pumps installed across the country in the next five years. The program is a part of the REAP program, which is an effort designed to help spur rural development.
Retailers can find out more about the program at BYOEthanol.com.