The Ohio Corn Marketing Program, in partnership with the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and the American Lung Association of the Midland States, is pleased to announce, The Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program, a new grant funding opportunity for petroleum marketers to significantly expand the reach of ethanol compatible fuel in the Ohio marketplace.

The Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program will provide funding to fuel retailers to aid in the purchase and installation of necessary dispensing equipment that is compatible with ethanol-blended fuels.

E85 and ethanol-blended fuels contain a percentage of ethyl alcohol and gasoline. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. There are over 16 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today, creating a great opportunity to reduce life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions through the use of E85 fuel. Using ethanol-blended fuels can reduce ozone-forming pollutants and air toxics.

“Motor vehicle emissions are a major source of environmental pollution. We are pleased to be a part of this program in Ohio,” says Barry Gottschalk, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Midland States. “The use of alternative fuels, like E85, benefit air quality which is important in our mission to save lives to improve lung health and prevent lung disease.”

The Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program details include:

- Funding structure to aid in the purchase of ethanol compatible fuel dispensing equipment and site-work (i.e. tanks) to accommodate installation

- Priority given to petroleum-marketers looking to install in multiple locations

- Simple application process with assistance available for completing appropriate paperwork

- Quick reimbursement when projects are completed

- Application process to start Feb. 1

“Over 722,000 Ohio motorists are driving flex fuel vehicles and they deserve access to efficient and clean burning ethanol,” says Tadd Nicholson, executive director of the Ohio Corn Marketing Program. “The new grants will help Ohio fuel retailers offer more choices at the pump, with fuel that is produced in Ohio by our seven ethanol plants with corn grown by our farmers.”

More information on the Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program is available on the Ohio Corn Marketing Program website.