Handbook of Cellulosic Ethanol
Advanced Biofuel Feedstock Incentives
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP; Section 9010) provides financial assistance to landowners and operators that establish, produce, and deliver biomass feedstock crops for advanced biofuel production facilities. Qualified feedstock producers are eligible for a reimbursement of 75% of the cost of establishing a biomass feedstock crop, as well as annual payments for up to five years for herbaceous feedstocks and up to 15 years for woody feedstocks. The annual payment values are determined based primarily on the crop value; producers receive 99% of the value if the biomass is harvested to produce cellulosic biofuels that meet the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuels Standard Program standards, 90% if it is harvested for other advanced biofuels, and 75% if it is harvested for heat, power, or biobased products. In addition, BCAP provides qualified biomass feedstock crop producers matching payments for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of their crops to advanced biofuel production facilities for up to two years. The matching payments are $1 for each $1 per dry ton paid by a qualified advanced biofuel production facility, up to $45 per dry ton. For more information, see the Biomass Crop Assistance Program website.
7. Second Generation Biofuel Plant Depreciation Deduction Allowance
A second generation biofuel production plant placed into service between December 20, 2006, and December 31, 2013, may be eligible for an additional depreciation tax deduction allowance equal to 50% of the adjusted basis of the property. The plant must be solely used to produce second generation biofuel and is only eligible for the depreciation allowance for the first year in operation. Second generation biofuel is defined as liquid fuel produced from any lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic matter that is available on a renewable basis or any cultivated algae, cyanobacteria, or lemna.
8. Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit
A second generation biofuel producer that is registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may be eligible for a tax incentive in the amount of up to $1.01 per gallon of second generation biofuel that is: sold and used by the purchaser in the purchaser's trade or business to produce a second generation biofuel mixture; sold and used by the purchaser as a fuel in a trade or business; sold at retail for use as a motor vehicle fuel; used by the producer in a trade or business to produce a second generation biofuel mixture; or used by the producer as a fuel in a trade or business. If the second generation biofuel also qualifies for alcohol fuel tax credits, the credit amount is reduced to $0.46 per gallon for biofuel that is ethanol and $0.41 per gallon if the biofuel is not ethanol. Second generation biofuel is defined as liquid fuel produced from any lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic matter that is available on a renewable basis or any cultivated algae, cyanobacteria, or lemna. To qualify, fuel must also meet the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel and fuel additive registration requirements. Alcohol with a proof of less than 150, fuel with a water or sediment content of more than 4%, and fuel with an ash content of more than 1% are not considered second generation biofuels. The incentive is allowed as a credit against the producer's income tax liability. Under current law, only qualified fuel produced in the United States between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, for use in the United States may be eligible. For more information, see IRS Publication 510 and IRS Forms 637 and 6478, which are available via the IRS website. Point of Contact: Excise Tax Branch, U. S. Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel
