Ohio Incentives and Laws
Last Updated November 2008
Ohio is the home of the Earth Day Coalition's Clean Transportation Program (www.earthdaycoalition.org/cleanfuels) and Clean Fuels Ohio (www.cleanfuelsohio.org). Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.
State Incentives
Biofuels Development Funding
The Ohio Bioproducts Development Program, administered by the Third Frontier Commission, has been established to improve the state's infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate business growth and development. Funding in the form of grants and loans will support the development of bio-based products and the production of advanced energy in the state, including biofuels. (Reference House Bill 554, 2008, and Ohio Revised Code 184.25)
Biofuels Retail Tax Credit
Retailers who sell E85 or biodiesel fuel are eligible for a tax credit of $0.15 per gallon of E85 or biodiesel sold using a metered pump at a fueling station in 2007, and $0.13 per gallon of E85 or biodiesel fuel sold in 2008. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 5733.48 and 5747.77)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 466-7429
Fax (614)466-1864
jim.zuber@development.ohio.gov
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Biodiesel School Bus Grant Program
The Ohio Department of Development's B20 Biodiesel School Bus Grant Program allows eligible school districts and county Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities organizations with school buses to receive up to 100% of the incremental costs of using B20 fuel compared with regular diesel fuel, up to $25,000 per year. This program will expire in June 2009. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 3327.17)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 466-7429
Fax (614)466-1864
jim.zuber@development.ohio.gov
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Point of Contact
Sam Spofforth
Clean Cities Coordinator – Executive Director
Clean Fuels Ohio
Phone (614) 884-7336
sam@cleanfuelsohio.org
http://www.cleanfuelsohio.org
School Bus Retrofit Grant Program
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency administers the Clean Diesel School Bus Fund Retrofits Grant Program, which offers grants for retrofits for school buses operating on diesel fuel. Priority is given to school districts in communities that do not meet the federal air quality standards for fine air particulates, and districts that employ additional measures such as anti-idling programs, to reduce emissions from their school bus fleets.
Point of Contact
Carolyn Watkins
Chief, Office of Environmental Education
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Phone (614) 644-2873
Fax (614) 728-1275
carolyn.watkins@epa.state.oh.us
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/html/schoolbus.html
Alternative Fuel and Fueling Infrastructure Grants
The Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program provides funding for the purchase and installation of E85 and biodiesel fueling and blending facilities. The maximum grant per retail facility for new construction is $40,000 per fuel type at each location, $10,000 for fueling facility conversions, and $5,000 for marketing existing and new facilities. Clean Fuels Ohio is available to assist retailers in evaluating their suitability for these grants, preparing applications, and helping with direct postcard educational mailings. This program will expire in June 2009. Funds are also available for the purchase and use of alternative fuel by businesses, nonprofit organizations, public school systems, and local governments. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.075)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 466-7429
Fax (614)466-1864
jim.zuber@development.ohio.gov
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Point of Contact
Sam Spofforth
Clean Cities Coordinator – Executive Director
Clean Fuels Ohio
Phone (614) 884-7336
sam@cleanfuelsohio.org
http://www.cleanfuelsohio.org
Fuel Cell Development Funding
The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative (Initiative) aims to stimulate job creation in Ohio and position the state as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry. The Initiative is an integral part of the Third Frontier Project, a high-tech research program designed to create jobs and bring new products to market. The centerpiece of the Initiative is the Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. This research, development, and commercialization program provides direct financial support of up to $1 million to accelerate the development and growth of the fuel cell industry in Ohio to organizations seeking to: investigate the discovery of new knowledge having specific commercial objectives with respect to products, processes, or services; commercialize new products, manufacturing processes or technologies, or adapt or modify existing components or systems produced in Ohio that can reduce the cost of fuel cell systems or address technical and commercialization barriers; or demonstrate market readiness.
Point of Contact
Mike McKay
Manager, Technology Business Assistance Office / Team Leader, Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative
Ohio Department of Development, Technology Division
Phone (614) 644-9159
Fax (614) 644-5758
michael.mckay@development.ohio.gov
http://www.thirdfrontier.com
Heavy-Duty Emission Reduction Grant and Loan Program
The Ohio Department of Development administers a Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program and a Diesel Emission Reduction Revolving Loan Program for the purpose of reducing emissions from diesel engines. Funding may be used for projects related to certified engine configuration including new, rebuilt, or remanufactured engine configurations as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board. Funds may also be used for installing verified technology including pollution controls, retrofits, and development of truck stop electrification and auxiliary power units. Fleets must operate at least 65% of the time in a particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and/or ozone non-attainment or maintenance county. Private fleets are eligible but they must establish a public-private partnership (PPP) with a government organization that is eligible for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.861)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 466-7429
Fax (614)466-1864
jim.zuber@development.ohio.gov
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Point of Contact
Sam Spofforth
Clean Cities Coordinator – Executive Director
Clean Fuels Ohio
Phone (614) 884-7336
sam@cleanfuelsohio.org
http://www.cleanfuelsohio.org
State Laws and Regulations
Regional Biofuels Promotion Plan
Ohio has joined Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin in adopting the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform (Platform) (PDF 2 MB), which establishes shared goals for the Midwest region, including increased biofuels production and use. Specifically, the Platform sets the following goals:
- Produce commercially available cellulosic ethanol and other low-carbon fuels in the region by 2012;
- Increase E85 availability at retail fueling stations in the region to 15% of stations by 2015, 20% by 2020, and 33% of all fueling stations in the region by 2025;
- Reduce the amount of fossil fuel that is used in the production of biofuels by 50% by 2025;
- By 2025, at least 50% of all transportation fuels consumed by the Midwest will be from regionally produced biofuels and other low-carbon transportation fuels.
The Platform also establishes a regional biofuels corridor program. The program directs state transportation, agriculture, and regulatory officials to develop a system of coordinated signage across the region for biofuels and advanced transportation fuels and to collaborate to create regional E85 corridors. The program requires standardized fuel product coding at fueling stations as well as increased education for retailers about converting existing fueling infrastructure to dispense E85. The state transportation, agriculture, and regulatory officials were required to report their corridor implementation plans to the Midwest Governors Association by April 1, 2008.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements
All new motor vehicles acquired by state agencies must be capable of using alternative fuels and must use that alternative fuel if it is reasonably available and priced. State flexible-fuel vehicles must use at least 60,000 gallons of E85 per calendar year, increasing by 5,000 gallons per year after January 1, 2007. Vehicles that operate on diesel fuel must use at least one million gallons of biodiesel, increasing by 100,000 gallons per year after January 1, 2007. Credits for vehicle acquisition will be issued in accordance with the federal Energy Policy Act of 1992. Any additional credits that an agency earns above their requirements may be sold, with proceeds going to the Biodiesel Revolving Fund to pay for the incremental cost of biodiesel for use in vehicles owned or leased by the state. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831-125.836 and Executive Order 2007-02)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion
Vehicle emission control systems may not be tampered with unless the action is for the purpose of converting a motor vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel and is in compliance with the standards adopted under the Clean Air Act Amendments. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 3704.16)
Utilities/Private Incentives
There are currently no known utility or private incentives offered in Ohio.
Points of Contact:
| NAME/EMAIL/TITLE | AGENCY | PHONE/FAX |
|---|---|---|
| John McGovern Clean Cities Coordinator | Earth Day Coalition's Clean Transportation Program | Phone:(216) 281-6468 x223 Fax:(216) 281-5112 | Sam Spofforth Clean Cities Coordinator – Executive Director | Clean Fuels Ohio | Phone:(614) 884-7336 Fax: | Erin Russell-Story Project Manager | U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory | Phone:(412) 386-7334 Fax: | Jim Zuber Advanced Energy Manager | Ohio Energy Office | Phone:(614) 466-7429 Fax:(614)466-1864 | Carolyn Watkins Chief, Office of Environmental Education | Ohio Environmental Protection Agency | Phone:(614) 644-2873 Fax:(614) 728-1275 | Chuck Stang Administrator | Ohio Office of Fleet Management | Phone:(614) 995-5296 Fax:(614) 752-8883 | Preston Boone Energy Outreach Analyst | Ohio Energy Office | Phone:(614) 644-8864 or (866) 728-6749 Fax:(614) 466-1864 | Anita Field Executive Secretary | Ohio Propane Gas Association | Phone:(614) 221-1900 x215 Fax:(614) 221-1989 | Mike McKay Manager, Technology Business Assistance Office / Team Leader, Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative | Ohio Department of Development, Technology Division | Phone:(614) 644-9159 Fax:(614) 644-5758 | Matthew Lindsay Manager, Environmental Planning | Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission | Phone:(937) 223-6323 Fax:(937) 223-9750 | Mark Gnatowski Administrator | Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Equipment Management | Phone:(614) 351-2828 Fax:(614) 351-2831 | Scott Benson Transportation Specialist, Great Lakes Region | U.S. General Services Administration | Phone:(312) 886-8682 Fax:(312) 353-0989 |
