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Iowa E85 Laws and Incentives


State Incentives

Ethanol Blend Retailer Tax Credit

A tax credit is available to retail service stations at which more than 60% of their total gallons of gasoline sold and tracked through metered pumps is blended with ethanol. Once station owners surpass the 60% threshold, they are eligible for a tax credit of $0.025 for every additional gallon of gasoline blended with ethanol and sold during the tax year, through December 31, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2009, an Ethanol Promotion Tax Credit will replace the current incentive for each gallon of ethanol sold. The Ethanol Promotion Tax Credit will provide a $0.065 tax credit to any retailer meeting the renewable fuel standard (RFS) schedule for a given year. For retailers within 2% and 4% of meeting the RFS schedule, the tax credit will be $0.045 and $0.025, respectively, for every gallon of ethanol sold. (Reference Iowa Code 422.11C, 422.11N, and 422.33)

E85 Retailer Tax Credit

A tax credit is available to retail stations dispensing E85 for use in motor vehicles in the amount of $0.25 per gallon sold in calendar year 2008, $0.20 per gallon for calendar years 2009 and 2010, and $0.10 per gallon in calendar year 2011. After 2011, the tax credit decreases by $0.01 per year and expires after December 31, 2020. Taxpayers claiming the E85 tax credit may also claim the tax credit available for retail ethanol blends for the same tax year and same gallon of fuel. (Reference Iowa Code 422.11O)

Biofuels Infrastructure Grants

The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program provides financial assistance to E85 and biodiesel distributors. Cost-share grants are available for retailers to upgrade or install new E85 or biodiesel infrastructure, up to 70% of the total cost of the project or $50,000, whichever is less. Applicants may also qualify for supplemental incentives to upgrade or replace an E85 fueling dispenser, up to 75% of the cost of making the improvement or $30,000, whichever is less. The supplemental incentive is available only to applicants who made the improvement no later than 60 days after the date of the publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin of the state fire marshal's order providing that a commercially available fueling dispenser is listed as compatible for use with E85 by an independent testing laboratory.

Biodiesel distributors may apply for a cost-share grant for infrastructure upgrades and installations at biodiesel terminal facilities. Facilities blending or dispensing B2 to B98 are eligible for up to 50% of the total project or $50,000, whichever is less. Facilities blending or dispensing B99 or B100 are eligible for up to 50% of the total project or $100,000, whichever is less. The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board was established under the guidance of the Iowa Department of Economic Development; this 11-member board has authority to determine the eligibility of applicants

(Reference House File 2689, 2008, and Iowa Code 15G.203-15G.204)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Demonstration Grants

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducts marketing and education outreach to encourage the use of alternative fuels and, contingent upon funding, also awards demonstration grants to individuals who purchase vehicles that operate on alternative fuels, including but not limited to, high ethanol content blends, compressed natural gas, electricity, solar energy, or hydrogen. (Reference Iowa Code 214A.19)

Alternative Fuel Loan Program

The Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) for alternative energy projects is administered by the Iowa Energy Center. Through a participation agreement with the project lender, the program provides up to half the cost of biomass or alternative fuels related fuel production projects, up to a maximum of $1 million per facility. The AERLP funds are provided at 0% interest with the lender's funds bearing market interest. Fuel production facilities must be located in Iowa. (Reference Iowa Code 476.46)

Alternative Fuel Production Loans

The Value-Added Agricultural Products and Processes Financial Assistance Program offers a combination of forgivable and traditional low-interest loans for business projects involving the production of alternative fuels. The mixture of forgivable and low-interest loans varies according to the size of the award. Research and development projects are not eligible for this program.

Alternative Fuel Production Tax Credits

The Enterprise Zone Program and the High Quality Job Creation Program offer state tax incentives to business projects for the production of biomass or alternative fuels. Depending on the program, incentives may include: an investment tax credit equal to a percentage of the qualifying investment, amortized over five years; a refund of state sales, service, or use taxes paid to contractors or subcontractors during construction; a doubling of the state's refundable research activities credit; additional funding for training new employees; and a local property tax exemption of up to 100% of the value added to the property.

Alternative Fuel Research and Development

The Iowa Power Fund, administered through the Office of Energy Independence, supports research, development, commercialization, and deployment of biofuels, renewable energy technologies, and energy efficiency technologies, while seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The fund will educate the public about these technologies with the goal of increasing the demand for them. The $100 million fund will be run by an 18-member board, with oversight from a seven-member committee of legislative and university leaders. (Reference Iowa Code 469.9)

State Laws and Regulations

Renewable Fuels Promotion and Education

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI) is directed to develop a renewable fuels marketing plan to promote the state’s biofuels industry and present it to the governor and the general assembly by March 15, 2009. The plan will include research efforts to identify barriers to increased use of renewable fuels, such as infrastructure limitations and consumer awareness. Additionally, the OEI will conduct a direct marketing campaign that promotes the use of ethanol and biodiesel blends and targets owners of flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) and diesel powered vehicles, which will be completed by December 15, 2008. As part of this campaign, the OEI will provide consumers with information including, but not limited to, fueling station locations, cold weather handling and use of biodiesel, and engine warranty statements. (Reference House File 2689, 2008)

E85 Fuel Exclusivity Contract Regulations

Any motor fuel franchise contract entered into or renewed on or after May 30, 2006, must allow for the delivery of E85 at any time demanded by the motor fuel dealer or allow the dealer to purchase E85 from another source. If a contract is already in effect on May 30, 2006, and does not have an expiration date, the franchisor must provide for the delivery of E85 at times demanded by the franchisee or allow the franchisee to purchase those volumes of E85 at those times from another source. (Reference Iowa Code 323A)

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

The goal of the Iowa RFS is to replace 25% of gasoline in the state with biofuels (ethanol or biodiesel) by January 1, 2020. One provision of the standard is to require retailers to sell a certain percentage of renewable fuels as part of their total gasoline sales. Both biodiesel and ethanol count towards meeting the RFS schedule as follows:

Year: % Biofuel UseYear: % Biofuel Use
2009: 10%2014: 15%
2010: 11%2015: 17%
2011: 12%2016: 19%
2012: 13%2017: 21%
2013: 14%2018: 23%

(Reference Iowa Code 422.11N)

Renewable Fuel Labeling Requirement

If motor vehicle fuel blended with a renewable fuel is sold from a motor vehicle fuel dispenser, the dispenser must have a decal affixed identifying the name of the renewable fuel. The decal may be different based on the type of renewable fuel used. For the purpose of this requirement, renewable fuel includes fuel blends of biodiesel and ethanol. If fuel blends containing more than 10% ethanol (E10) are being dispensed, the decal must include the following statement: “For Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only.” The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (Department) may approve an application to place a decal in a special location on a pump with special lettering or colors if the decal appears clear and conspicuous to the consumer. The application must be made in writing to the Department. (Reference House File 2689, 2008, and Iowa Code 214A.16)

Regional Biofuels Promotion Plan

Iowa has joined Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin in adopting the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform Plan (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:

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. Download Adobe Reader

State Fleet Biofuels Use and Fuel Efficiency

As part of the Green Government Initiative, the Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI), Department of Administrative Services, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Transportation will lead a Biofuels Task Force. The Biofuels Task Force is directed to focus on issues including: increasing the use of biofuels by state agencies to the maximum amount feasible; and increasing the fuel efficiency of the state’s vehicle fleet. The Biofuels Task Force will set specific five- and ten-year targets related to these areas, which will be included in the Green Government Master Plan. Progress toward these goals will be tracked using a reporting system developed under the Green Government Initiative, and resulting data will be made public via the OEI whenever possible. (Reference Executive Order 6, 2008)

Ethanol Blended Fuel Use Requirement

State fleet gasoline vehicles may not operate using fuel other than ethanol blended gasoline, unless under emergency circumstances. Vehicles must be affixed with a brightly visible sticker that notifies the public that the motor vehicle uses ethanol blended gasoline. However, the sticker is not required for unmarked vehicles used for law enforcement or security purposes. (Reference Iowa Code 8A.362)

Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Acquisition Requirements

By June 30, 2009, at least 60% of fuel purchased for use in the state's fleet of FFVs must be E85. A "State Government E85 Use Plan" must be created and detail how this fuel use goal will be met and how the state and retailers will work together to ensure that all E85 purchases are electronically coded and reported accurately. The Department of Administrative Services will provide regularly updated lists of E85 fueling stations to state employees. (Reference Executive Order 3, 2007)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements

A minimum of 10% of new light-duty vehicles purchased by institutions under the control of the state fleet administrator, Iowa Department of Transportation administrator, board of directors of community colleges, state board of regents, commission for the blind, and department of corrections must be capable of using alternative fuels. Vehicles and trucks purchased and directly used for law enforcement, off-road maintenance work, or to pull loaded trailers are exempt from this requirement. (Reference Iowa Code 216B.3, 260C.19A, 262.25A, 307.21 and 904.312A)