U.S. Department of Agriculture's Higher Blends Infrastructure Investment Program Information for Underground Storage Tank System Owners and Operators EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks April 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program Program website: www.rd.usda.gov/HBIIP Background The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act provided significant funding for federal grant programs. Several of these grant programs have goals related to OUST program concerns. This info sheet provides an overview of a federal grant program related to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel that may be of interest to Owners and Operators wishing to upgrade or replace their UST infrastructure. Please consult with USDA for the most accurate and up to date information. UST Owners and Operators may also wish to inquire with their UST implementing agency about state- specific programs for biofuels infrastructure. The following EPA webpages related to aging UST systems provide information to 0/0 as the UST universe ages and the transportation sector evolves. • Aging UST Systems: www.epa.gov/ust/resources- ust-owners-and- operatorsffaging. • Considering T ransitions for Aging UST Systems: www.epa.gov/ust/resources- ust-owners-and- operatorsfftransitions. Description: The purpose of the HBIIP is to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by sharing the costs related to expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. General eligibility: Most Underground Storage Tank Owners and Operators including retail stations and others such as fleet fueling operators are likely eligible to apply for upcoming announcements, if not already dispensing E15 or E85 or biodiesel blends greater than B5. Eligible applicants for past announcements included fueling stations; convenience stores; hypermarket fueling stations; fleet facilities (including transportation, freight, rail and marine; and similar entities with capital investments). Refer to U.S. Department of Agriculture for specific details. Potential benefits: Owners and Operators may be able to leverage this program to simultaneously upgrade their existing UST systems with newer equipment and add the capability to dispense lower carbon and cleaner burning fuels. Which UST Owners and Operators should apply? Any UST Owner or Operator with aging infrastructure or those with USTs of any age interested in storing higher blends of biofuels. Amount available: The amount of funding available in the next announcement is TBD. However, the Inflation Reduction Act authorized $500 million in funding to be distributed over the next several years. Previous funding announcements for the 2022 and 2020 HBIIP programs were $100 million each, as was the 2015 funding announcement for a similar grant program, the USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership. Application Timeframe: TBD, likely in 2023. Owners and Operators interested in this program to offer higher blends may want to begin working on application requirements now as the application process may be lengthy, and the application period brief. Set asides: TBD. Set asides in the 2022 application period included: • 40% for owners of 10 fueling locations or fewer. • Considerations for geographic diversity. • First time applicants. Publication No. EPA-510-F-23-005 April 2023 ------- |