Trade Groups Want More Incentives for Clean Energy
by Ann Meyer (CSP Daily) NACS among that that see cost of EV chargers as obstacle to Biden administration’s goals — While the Biden Administration aims to take giant steps toward clean energy, three industry trade associations representing convenience stores and fueling centers said Friday more incentives for private investment are needed for Biden’s goals to be realized.
The Biden Administration’s support of a brighter, cleaner energy future is detailed in the Inflation Reduction Act he signed into law in 2022 and spoke of during the State of the Union address Feb. 7.
But industry trade associations foresee obstacles to obtaining the private investment required for electric charging stations and greater adoption of advanced biofuels. The associations were preparing comments Friday on the U.S. Environmental Protection Association’s Renewable Fuel Standard Rule for 2023, 2024 and 2025, announced Dec. 1, 2022, suggesting the volume targets and percentage standards for biofuels weren’t ambitious enough.
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The EPA has set a modest biofuels mandate of 100 million gallons above 2022 levels in 2023 through 2025, said David Fialkov, executive vice president of government affairs for NATSO and SIGMA.
“We think the EPA could be more ambitious with its advanced biofuel mandates,” Fialkov said. “The capacity is there, the feedstock is there, and fuel retailers and trucking companies are eager to invest in renewable diesel and biodiesel. EPA can do more to lower transportation’s carbon footprint now.”
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The act also provides a list of incentives, such as tax credits and grants, to encourage adoption of cleaner energies. Specifically, it provides:
- $500 million in grant funds for convenience stores, fueling stations and fleet facilities that offer higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel and shares costs related to expanding biofuel-related infrastructure through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program in effect through 2031.
- An Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit supporting fueling stations with alternative liquid fuels in low-income and rural areas and electric charging stations.
- Incentives for domestic production of clean energies, including a new Clean Fuel Production Credit, and extends existing tax incentives for alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and renewable diesel, through the end of 2024.
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- Clean energy tax credits for wind, solar, nuclear, clean hydrogen and clean fuels. READ MORE
