The push for E85 fuel pumps in Colorado is gaining strength, thanks to funding recently provided by the Colorado E85 Coalition, a group created in May 2006 to increase awareness, availability and usage of E85 in the state.
The coalition is offering funds to eligible retail stations to install E85 infrastructure and pumps. In addition to financial assistance, the group will offer education, marketing and technical assistance to those eligible companies. The coalition's goal is to offer the funds to qualifying markets in the attempt to expand the availability of E85 to Colorado consumers.
"I think the success of this coalition is driven by the knowledgeable people that work around the table," said coalition Chairman Gerry Harrow. "I think it's really helped to have the right people that can move this forward with their knowledge and expertise."
The coalition will provide partial funding, not to exceed $15,000, to qualified applicants or a maximum of 75 percent of infrastructure tax credits, whichever is less. In addition to the coalition's funding, there are several generous state and federal tax incentives available to retail stations.
The funding for potentially qualified applicants will be awarded on strict criteria. Some of the factors that are considered include: the ability for the facility to obtain long-term supplies of ethanol at a set price, location and the number of flexible-fuel vehicles used there, and if the facility offers more than one renewable fuel. "We want this to be a long-term commitment statewide," Harrow said.
The initiative is focused in Denver and Ft. Collins, Harrow said, but the group is considering funding for other stations throughout the state, as well. In the future, the coalition may also target fleet managers. "A lot of the municipalities and fleet markets share refueling sites, and we're starting to look at those projects together," Harrow said. "Partnering with municipalities and fleets will make [the program] even more positive down the road."
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