The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is now accepting applications for the next round of Green Island Biofuel Corridor Network grants. The deadline to apply for the grants is April 30, 2010.
The Green Island grant program is a competitive funding opportunity available to retail fuel station owners and farmer co-ops interested in promoting and selling two biofuel blends, E85 (ethanol) and B20 (biodiesel). The goal of the Green Island grant program is to establish a statewide network of publicly accessible B20 and E85 refueling stations, particularly along interstates and major highways and in major population centers.
“Green Island grants encourage and help expand the commercial availability of biofuels in Tennessee, giving motorists more options at the pump and reducing harmful vehicle emissions,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen in a written press statement. “This program is a vital piece of the state’s efforts to make biofuels a real option for Tennesseans.”
TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely says now that 65 biofuel pumps are serving Tennesseans across the state, this round of Green Island Grants focuses on completing the development of the Green Island Corridors.
“We want to identify partner retail fuel stations in areas along our major corridors where biofuel stations are not currently in place, particularly in the Chattanooga and Memphis areas,” Nicely also said in a written statement.
The Green Island grant program assists a limited number of retail fuel stations with the capital costs of converting or installing fuel storage tanks and dispensing equipment for B20 and/or E85. The maximum grant award is $45,000 per E85 or B20 fuel system ($90,000 for both fuels). Retail station owners must provide at least 20 percent of the total project costs. To learn more about this grant and to download an application, go tohttp://www.tn.gov/tdot/biofuel/application.htm.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is sponsoring a Ethanol Workshop in Nashville on April 28 to discuss installing ethanol infrastructure and grants available. A member from Growth Energy Market Development team will be available at the event to discuss our own grant opportunities. To learn more about the workshop or to register, contact Ed Coleman at (615) 837-5150.
