8/10/06-Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed a bill into law that gives fueling stations grant money to cover the cost of adding ethanol and biodiesel pumps in the state.
The new law, previously HB5754, sets up matching grant programs to provide owners and operators of service stations and bulk plants with up to 50 percent of the cost for creating fuel delivery systems capable of providing E85 fuel and biodiesel blends.
Grants to service station owners and operators for E85 or biodiesel facilities will be capped at $3,000 for the costs of converting an existing system into an E85 or biodiesel system. Grants to construct new E85 systems will be capped at $12,000 while new biodiesel systems will be capped at $4,000.
Grants to bulk plants for biodiesel facilities would be capped at $2,000 for the cost of converting an existing system into a biodiesel system, and $15,000 for the constructing a new biodiesel system. A “bulk plant” is defined as a motor fuel storage and distribution facility that is not a terminal and from which motor fuel may be withdrawn by a tank wagon, a transport truck, or a marine vessel.
The new law also requires the MSF to provide up to $500,000 in fiscal year 2006-2007 for the grant programs.

6/23/06-A bill headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk would give fueling stations grant money to cover the cost of adding ethanol and biodiesel pumps in the state.
Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bangor Township, HB5754 would amend the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to require the creation and administration of matching grant programs to provide owners and operators of service stations and bulk plants with up to 50 percent of the cost for creating fuel delivery systems capable of providing E85 fuel and biodiesel blends.
Grants to service station owners and operators for E85 facilities would be capped at $2,000 for the costs of converting an existing system into an E85 system, and $15,000 for the cost of constructing a new E85 system.
Grants to bulk plants for biodiesel facilities would be capped at $2,000 for the cost of converting an existing system into a biodiesel system, and $20,000 for the constructing a new biodiesel system. A “bulk plant” would be a motor fuel storage and distribution facility that is not a terminal and from which motor fuel may be withdrawn by a tank wagon, a transport truck, or a marine vessel.
If a grantee stops using the E85 or biodiesel system within three years of receiving the grant, the grantee would be required to repay the amount of the grant, as determined by the MSF.
The bill would also require the MSF to provide up to $500,000 in fiscal year 2006-2007 for the grant programs.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.

3/17/06-The House approved a bill March 16 that would give fueling stations grant money to cover the cost of adding ethanol and biodiesel pumps in the state.
Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bangor Township, HB5754 would amend the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to require the creation and administration of matching grant programs to provide owners and operators of service stations and bulk plants with up to 50 percent of the cost for creating fuel delivery systems capable of providing E85 fuel and biodiesel blends.
Grants to service station owners and operators for E85 facilities would be capped at $2,000 for the costs of converting an existing system into an E85 system, and $15,000 for the cost of constructing a new E85 system.
Grants to bulk plants for biodiesel facilities would be capped at $2,000 for the cost of converting an existing system into a biodiesel system, and $20,000 for the constructing a new biodiesel system. A “bulk plant” would be a motor fuel storage and distribution facility that is not a terminal and from which motor fuel may be withdrawn by a tank wagon, a transport truck, or a marine vessel.
If a grantee stops using the E85 or biodiesel system within three years of receiving the grant, the grantee would be required to repay the amount of the grant, as determined by the MSF.
The bill would also require the MSF to provide up to $500,000 in fiscal year 2006-2007 for the grant programs.
The bill has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.