Ohio

Department of Weights and Measures, 614-728-6290

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Grant Program

In early 2017, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will administer a one-time, $5 million grant program to replace or convert Class 7 and Class 8 diesel or gasoline trucks to natural gas or propane trucks. Vehicles must be privately operated in Ohio at least 50% of the time. Maximum grant awards will be 50% of the fuel components of the new vehicle or 50% of the cost of the conversion parts, up to $25,000. Total grants to any recipient may not exceed $400,000. For more information, see the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Grants website. (Reference House Bill 390, 2016, and Ohio Revised Code 122.076)

Alternative Fuel Signage

The Ohio Turnpike Commission allows businesses to place their logos on directional signs within the right-of-way of state turnpikes. An alternative fuel retailer may include a marking or symbol within their logo indicating that it sells one or more types of alternative fuel. Alternative fuels are defined as E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or any fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy determines, by final rule, to be substantially not petroleum. For more information, see the Ohio Turnpike Commission website. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831 and 5537.30)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements

With the exception of law enforcement vehicles, all newly acquired state agency vehicles must be capable of using an alternative fuel and must use the relevant alternative fuel if it is reasonably priced and available. Alternative fuel is defined as E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, or any other fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy has determined is substantially not petroleum. State agencies must also meet the annual average fuel economy requirement set by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services on all passenger automobiles purchased. Law enforcement and emergency rescue work vehicles are exempt from this requirement. The Office of the Ohio Treasurer established a biodiesel revolving fund in which funds appropriated by the Ohio General Assembly can be used to pay for the incremental cost of biodiesel used in state owned or leased diesel vehicles. (Reference Ohio Revised Code123.01, 125.831-125.832, 125.834 and 125.836; and Executive Order(PDF) 2007-02)

Ethanol Infrastructure Grants and Loan Guarantees
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loan guarantees to rural (population less than 50K) small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Eligible renewable energy systems include equipment used to distribute flexible fuels. The maximum grant funding is 25% of project costs and the maximum loan guarantee is $25 million. The program is funded through fiscal year 2018 but is subject to congressional appropriations thereafter. For more information, see the REAP website.

Point of Contact
Office of Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Phone: (202) 690-4730
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

Click here for a complete list of domestic ethanol producers and sales contacts for E85/direct ethanol sales