The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has assisted fuel retailers and helped raise awareness of USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) over the past year through its flexfuelforward.com website, targeted digital advertising campaign and presence at multiple trade shows.
The work allowed many prospective E15 and flex fuels retailers find information about applying for and obtaining part of the $450 million in competitive grants, $90 million per quarter for the past five quarters starting in July 2023 and ending September 30.
ACE Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty will be attending the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show next week in Las Vegas, Nevada — the world’s largest annual gathering of convenience and fuel marketing professionals. “As the latest and largest application window of the USDA HBIIP closes, ACE’s market development efforts will refocus on helping retailers understand the market advantage and profit potential of higher ethanol blends,” Lamberty added. “E10 went nationwide in short order after we educated retailers on the ‘ethanol math,’ including the fuel tax credit for blending ethanol and gasoline. If we can resolve the year-round policy for E15, it should expand just as quickly.”
Lamberty thanked USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for his leadership and support of the HBIIP program, and
USDA HBIIP Manager Jeff Carpenter, who was presented with the ACE Paul Dana Marketing Vision award for his leadership at the recent ACE annual meeting. “We encourage the Secretary to continue investing in HBIIP to expand access to higher biofuel blends,” said Lamberty.
Carpenter gave a presentation on HBIIP at the ACE Conference and participated in a panel discussion with Lamberty and Randy Gard, Bosselman Enterprises.
ACE 24 Higher Blends Infrastructure panel and awards 57:34