Ohio Incentives and Laws
Last Updated November 2007
Ohio is the home of the Earth Day Coalition's Clean Fuels Program (www.earthdaycoalition.org/programs_cleanfuels.php) and Clean Fuels Ohio (www.cleanfuelsohio.org). Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.
State Incentives
Biofuels Retail Tax Credit
Retailers who sell E85 or biodiesel are eligible for a tax credit of $0.15 per gallon of E85 or biodiesel fuel 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 House Bill 119, 2007, and Ohio Revised Code 5733.48 and 5747.77)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 387-2731
Fax (614)466-1864
jzuber@odod.state.oh.us
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Biodiesel Grant Program
The Department of Development is required to establish a biodiesel school bus program. Under this program, the Director of Development may make grants to school districts that use biodiesel fuel for student related transportation to help offset the incremental cost of using biodiesel fuel instead of 100% petroleum diesel fuel. (Reference House Bill 119, 2007, and Ohio Revised Code 3327.17)
Alternative Fuel and Fueling Infrastructure Grants
The Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program authorized $900,000 for the purchase and installation of alternative fuel fueling and blending facilities, and for the purchase and use of alternative fuel by businesses, nonprofit organizations, public school systems, and local governments. Applications for Fiscal Year 2008 funding were accepted beginning August 27, 2007, and will continue until all funds have been committed. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.075)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 387-2731
Fax (614)466-1864
jzuber@odod.state.oh.us
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) 292-5435
Fax (614) 688-4111
sam@cleanfuelsohio.org
http://www.cleanfuelsohio.org
Fuel Cell Development Funding
The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative is a multi-year, $103 million program administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Technology Division, through the Third Frontier Project. The initiative provides grants to support the growth of Ohio's fuel cell industry through collaborations that involve companies, Ohio-based higher education institutions, and non-profit research organizations. Projects must focus on research and development that addresses technical and cost barriers to commercialization and adapting fuel cell components produced in Ohio for use in fuel cell systems.
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
mmckay@odod.state.oh.us
http://www.thirdfrontier.com
Heavy-Duty Emission Reduction Grant and Loan Program
The 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, with funding provided by Section 793 of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005. 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 can also be used for installing verified technology including pollution controls, retrofits, and development of truck stop electrification and auxiliary power units. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.861)
Point of Contact
Jim Zuber
Advanced Energy Manager
Ohio Energy Office
Phone (614) 387-2731
Fax (614)466-1864
jzuber@odod.state.oh.us
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) 292-5435
Fax (614) 688-4111
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 are required to report their corridor implementation plans to the Midwest Governors Association by April 1, 2008.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition 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. By January 1, 2007, state flexible-fuel vehicles were required to use at least 60,000 gallons of E85 per calendar year, increasing by 5,000 gallons per year thereafter. Vehicles that operate on diesel fuel must use at least one million gallons of biodiesel, increasing by 100,000 gallons per year thereafter. 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 125.831-125.834 and 125.836)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion
Vehicle emission control systems are not to 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 | AGENCY | TITLE | PHONE/FAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| John McGovern jmcgovern@earthdaycoalition.org | Earth Day Coalition's Clean Fuels Program | Clean Cities Coordinator | Phone: (216) 281-6468 x223 Fax: (216) 281-5112 | Sam Spofforth sam@cleanfuelsohio.org | Clean Fuels Ohio | Clean Cities Coordinator – Executive Director | Phone: (614) 292-5435 Fax: (614) 688-4111 | Kay (Milewski) Kelly kay.kelly@netl.doe.gov | U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory | Project Manager | Phone: (304) 285-4535 Fax: (304) 285-4638 | Jim Zuber jzuber@odod.state.oh.us | Ohio Energy Office | Advanced Energy Manager | Phone: (614) 387-2731 Fax: (614)466-1864 | Charles Stang charles.stang@das.state.oh.us | Ohio Office of Fleet Management | Administrator | Phone: (614) 995-5296 Fax: (614) 752-8883 | Preston Boone plboone@odod.state.oh.us | Ohio Energy Office | Energy Outreach Analyst | Phone: (614) 644-8864 or (866) 728-6749 Fax: (614) 466-1864 | Anita Field opga@assnoffices.com | Ohio Propane Gas Association | Executive Secretary | Phone: (614) 221-1900 x215 Fax: (614) 221-1989 | Mike McKay mmckay@odod.state.oh.us | Ohio Department of Development, Technology Division | Manager, Technology Business Assistance Office / Team Leader, Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative | Phone: (614) 644-9159 Fax: (614) 644-5758 | Matthew Lindsay mlindsay@mvrpc.org | Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission | Manager, Environmental Planning | Phone: (937) 223-6323 Fax: (937) 223-9750 | Mark Gnatowski mark.gnatowski@dot.state.oh.us | Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Equipment Management | Administrator | Phone: (614) 351-2828 Fax: (614) 351-2831 | Scott Benson scott.benson@gsa.gov | U.S. General Services Administration | Transportation Specialist, Great Lakes Region | Phone: (312) 886-8682 Fax: (312) 353-0989 |
