The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded Propel Fuels a $10.1 million grant to install more than 100 Flex Fuel E85 stations over the next four years. This will more than double the number of E85 stations across the state that has nearly one million flex fuel vehicle drivers. The award is funded through the State of California’s AB 118 Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program and will aid in the state’s goal of moving toward more clean energy transportation fuels.
“With America’s largest base of alternative fuel-capable vehicles, California’s drivers are rapidly embracing new fuel choices,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels. “This funding will enable us to provide greater access to E85 in the state’s most underserved markets and provide a critical link to the next generation of low carbon fuels coming into production.”
Over the next four years with completion scheduled for 2016, more than 600 jobs will be created. Once complete, the use of E85 has the capacity to displace 145 million gallons of petroleum and 470,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Propel is matching the grant with more than $24 million in private investment. The company will manage construction, operations and maintenance of the fueling structure that will exceed 200 Flex Fuel E85 stations by 2016.
“These awards support a diversity of alternative fuel and vehicle types, including biodiesel production, natural gas vehicle technologies and incentives, and E85 fueling stations, which together provide a crucial boost to the development of clean energy transportation in the state,” said Energy Commissioner Carla Peterman.
She concluded, “They will enable the deployment of more advanced technology vehicles on the roadways – and support the development of the fueling infrastructure needed to keep them rolling. Investing in these innovative projects will benefit all Californians by improving our air quality, creating jobs, and providing the diverse transportation options that we need today and in the future.”
ICM has worked collaboratively with Fluid-Quip, Inc. to develop the technology and deliver it to the marketplace; Fluid-Quip is ICM’s equipment provider for the SMT™ systems. In addition, ICM has obtained the rights to license the SMT™ technology to commercial plants from Lee Tech, LLC.
“We are extremely disappointed in that vote because I think it fails to recognize and appreciate the enormous potential of this industry to revitalize the rural economy,” said Vilsack during a conference call today when asked specifically about a vote last week by the Senate Armed Services Committee that would prohibit the military from spending money on alternative fuels. “I certainly hope that as this process continues folks will understand the negative impact such a vote has on rural America and will decide that the Navy, USDA and Department of Energy are on the right track to produce these new fuels.” The House Armed Services committee is considering a similar amendment to the defense spending bill. 
Advanced biofuels took a $200 million step forward on the march toward commercialization Wednesday with the official opening of 
With the 100 new jobs created by the plant opening, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the importance of expanding tax credits for investments in clean energy manufacturing for the economy during a conference call today with Novozymes President Adam Monroe. Novozymes leveraged its $200 million private investment in the Blair facility with a 48C manufacturing tax credit from the federal government.