MN HF1904

$1,500,000 appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to retail petroleum dispensers for biofuel dispensing equipment.

Eligible recipients must sell petroleum for vehicles manufactured after 2000, operate no more than 15 retail petroleum dispensing sites, and be located in Minnesota.

Grant funds must be used for installation of equipment to dispense gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol by volume and related technical assistance, with grants not exceeding 85 percent of total project costs.

Up to $35,000 of the appropriation may be used for administration expenses, and the commissioner shall cooperate with the Minnesota Biofuels Association in program implementation.

Commissioner must report annually to legislative committees with jurisdiction over agricultural policy and finance by February 1, detailing the number of grants awarded and the program's projected effect on meeting biofuel replacement goals under Minnesota Statutes section 239.7911.