South Carolina

Consumer Services Director, 803-737-9696

Biofuels Distribution Infrastructure Tax Credit

A taxpayer that purchases, constructs, or installs, and places into service a qualified commercial facility for distributing or dispensing biofuels is eligible for an income tax credit of up to 25% of the purchase, construction, and installation costs. Eligible property includes pumps, storage tanks, and related equipment used exclusively for distributing, dispensing, and storing biofuels. A qualified facility must clearly label the equipment used to store or dispense the fuel as being associated with the biofuel. The credit must be taken in three equal annual installments beginning with the taxable year in which the facility is placed into service. Qualifying fuels include blends containing at least 70% ethanol (E70) dispensed at the retail level for use in motor vehicles, and pure ethanol or biodiesel fuel dispensed by a distributor or facility that blends these non-petroleum liquids with gasoline or diesel fuel for use in motor vehicles. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 12-6-3610)

Biofuel Blending Capability Requirements and Liability

Terminal operators and other entities involved in the bulk transfer of gasoline or diesel, including suppliers and refiners, must offer all grades of petroleum products not already pre-blended with ethanol and biodiesel, and ensure that the motor fuel is suitable for subsequent blending with biofuels. Terminal operators and other bulk suppliers are not liable for fines, penalties, injuries, or damages resulting from subsequent blending of fuel sold at retail locations. Furthermore, no individual or entity can deny a distributor and retailer from blending biofuels for sale in South Carolina, as long as the individual or entity is registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 39-41-235)

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