Ethanol Laws and Incentives in Minnesota

The list below contains summaries of all Minnesota laws and incentives related to ethanol.

Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Tax

The Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) imposes an excise tax on the first licensed distributor that receives E85 fuel products in the state and on distributors, special fuel dealers, or bulk purchasers of other alternative fuels. The Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner must determine the tax rate for alternative fuel sales annually. The tax rate for E85 is set by the Minnesota Highway Construction Cost Index. The tax rate for propane is $0.239 per gallon, liquified natural gas is $0.192, E85 is $0.2259 per gallon, biodiesel (B100) is $0.318 per gallon, and compressed natural gas is $0.00251 per thousand cubic feet. Exemptions for certain categories of fuel purchasers apply. For more information, including current tax rates and fees, see the DOR Petroleum Tax Fuel Excise Tax Rates and Fees website.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 296A.07 and 296A.08)

Biofuel Blend Specifications

All gasoline sold or offered for sale in Minnesota must contain at least:

• 10% corn-based ethanol by volume or the maximum percent by volume of corn-based ethanol authorized in a waiver issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whichever is greater; or
• 10% other biofuel authorized in an EPA waiver by volume, or a biofuel formulation registered by EPA under Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 7545.

Biofuel is defined as renewable fuel with an approved fuel pathway under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 239.761 and 239.791)

Biofuel Incentive Authorization

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program may offer grants, loans, or other financial incentives to alternative fuel retailers for the installation of ethanol blender pumps or other rural economic infrastructure activities, or to producers of transportation fuels from cellulosic material or bio-based products.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 41A.12)

E85 Definition

E85 is defined as a blend of ethanol and gasoline that contains no more than 85% ethanol and is produced for use in alternative fuel vehicles. E85 must comply with ASTM Standard D5798-11.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 239.761)

Ethanol Fuel Blend Dispensing Regulations

Gasoline blended for use in an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) may contain any percentage of agriculturally derived, denatured ethanol, up to and including 85% (E85). Ethanol and gasoline blended at the point of retail sale in an ethanol-blending fuel dispenser must be clearly labeled “FLEX-FUEL VEHICLES ONLY.” If a retailer sells both ethanol blends for use in AFVs as well as ethanol blends for use in standard combustion engines, the ethanol blends for use in a standard combustion engine must be dispensed from dedicated hoses, nozzles, or other equipment, and clearly labeled for use in conventional vehicles. Retailers are not responsible for customers’ self-service fueling actions as long as they meet these requirements.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 239.761 and 296A.01)

Minnesota Biofuels Replacement Goals

The Minnesota Department of Weights and Measures promotes the replacement of petroleum used in the state with the goal that biofuels will account for at least the specified percentage of all gasoline offered for sale by the dates below:

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 239.7911)

State Incentives

Biofuel Fueling Infrastructure Grants

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers fuel retailers grants of up to $199,000 to replace or upgrade old equipment to be capable of containing motor fuel blends containing at least 15% ethanol (E15). Eligible applicants may not operate more than 20 retail petroleum dispensing stations and must dispense fuel to the public. Fleet operators are not eligible. Other restrictions apply. Awardees must provide a 35% cost share. For more information, see the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Biofuels Infrastructure Grant website.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 41A.12 and House File 2446, 2025)

Ethanol Production Facility Environmental Assessment Exemption

An ethanol production facility that produces less than 125 million gallons of ethanol annually and is located outside of the seven-county metropolitan area is exempt from preparing an environmental impact statement. In addition, an environmental assessment worksheet is not required for the expansion of an ethanol or biobutanol production facility or for the conversion of an ethanol facility to produce biobutanol. Exceptions may apply.

(Reference Minnesota Statutes 41A.09 and 116D.04)

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