Grant Funding for Flex Fuel Pumps

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grant and guaranteed loan funding for eligible rural businesses to assist with the cost of purchasing and installing flexible fuel pumps for mid-range ethanol blends (including E85). The Obama administration has set a goal of installing 10,000 flexible fuel pumps nationwide within 5 years.

Applications for the 2012 program year are being currently accepted. 

On April 18, 2011, Growth Energy hosted a webinar with officials from USDA to talk about the program and answer questions from retailers. Watch an archive of that webinar now on your computer or download a PDF of the PowerPoint slides.

Watch the Webinar

Documents

• USDA REAP Brochure (PDF)
• REAP Flex Fuel Grant Fact Sheet from USDA (PDF)
• REAP Property Eligibility Map and Search Tool
• Read the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (PDF).
• You can also read the rule as published in Vol. 76, No. 72 of the Federal Register (PDF).

In addition to flexible fuel pumps being eligible for funding under REAP:

• Grants are available for audits of energy improvements and studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems; and
• Agricultural producers in non-rural areas are eligible for REAP assistance. Small businesses must still be located in rural areas. This clarification makes REAP eligibility requirements consistent with those of other USDA energy programs.

State Program Information & Grant Writers

• Rural Development Energy Coordinators (DOC)

• Illinois (PDF)
• Indiana (PDF)
• Iowa (PDF)
• Minnesota (PDF)
• Missouri (PDF)
• Nebraska  |  Grant Writers
• Ohio (PDF)
• Oregon (PDF)
• Pennsylvania (PDF)
• Texas  |  Grant Writers (XLS)
• Virginia (PDF)
• Wisconsin  |  Grant Writers (PDF)
• Wyoming (PDF)

Additional Resources

E85 and Blender Pumps: A Resource Guide to Ethanol Refueling Infrastructure (PDF)
Produced in cooperation with the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the FlexFuel Vehicle Awareness Campaign, the guide helps fuel marketers and other interested parties learn more about options available to market ethanol blends. The guide provides technical details regarding dispensers and vehicles as well as information covering such areas as financial assistance, construction, and permitting.