Louisiana Incentives and Laws

Last Updated August 2006

State Incentives
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit
The state offers an income tax credit worth 20% of the cost of converting a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel, 20% of the incremental cost of purchasing an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) AFV or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and 20% of the cost of constructing an alternative fuel refueling station. For the purchase of an OEM AFV or HEV, the tax credit cannot exceed the lesser of 2% of the total cost of the vehicle or $1,500. Only those vehicles registered in Louisiana can receive the tax credit. (Reference Revised Statutes 47:38 and 47:287.757)

Point of Contact
Taxpayer Services Division
Louisiana Department of Revenue
Phone (225) 219-0102

Point of Contact
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Phone (225) 342-1399
http://dnr.louisiana.gov/sec/execdiv/techasmt/programs/transportation/incentives.htm

Biodiesel Equipment and Fuel Tax Exemption
Certain property and equipment used in the manufacture, production, or extraction of unblended biodiesel, as well as unblended biodiesel used as fuel by a registered manufacturer, are exempt from state sales and use taxes. Unblended biodiesel is defined as B100 which meets the D6751 standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). These provisions are effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2012. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:301)

State Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Promotion
The Legislature of Louisiana urges the state Department of Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to promote the use of alternative fuels and provide incentives for companies and consumers who use alternative fuels. (Reference Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, 2006)

Renewable Fuels Standard
Within six months after monthly production of denatured ethanol, produced in the state, equals or exceeds an annual production volume of at least 50 million gallons, 2% of the total gasoline sold by volume in the state must be denatured ethanol produced from domestically grown feedstock or other biomass materials. "Ethanol" is an ethyl alcohol that has a purity of at least 99% percent, exclusive of added denaturants, meets U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-4806 standards, and is produced from domestic agricultural or biomass products.

This requirement will not be effective until six months after the average wholesale price of a gallon of Louisiana-manufactured ethanol, less any federal alcohol fuel mixture tax credit, is equal to or below the average wholesale price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Louisiana for a period of not less than 60 days, as determined by the Louisiana Biofuel Panel. Additionally, the Legislature of Louisiana urges the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry not to implement the minimum ethanol requirements if the requirements raise the price of gasoline by more than $0.02 per gallon.

Within six months after monthly production of biodiesel produced in the state equals or exceeds an annual production volume of 10 million gallons, 2% of the total diesel sold by volume in the state must be biodiesel produced from domestically grown feedstock. “Biodiesel” is defined as a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from renewable resources and meeting the requirements of ASTM D-6751, or a diesel fuel substitute produced from non-petroleum renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel and fuel additive requirements.

Alternatively, these requirements may be met through the production of an “alternate renewable fuel,” defined as a liquid fuel that is domestically produced from renewable biomass, can be used in place of ethanol or biodiesel, and meets the definition of renewable fuel in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. However, these requirements may not exceed 2% of the total gasoline and 2% of the total diesel sold by volume by owners or operators of fuel distribution terminals.

Within six months after monthly production of an alternate renewable fuel capable of substituting for ethanol and biodiesel produced in the state equals or exceeds an annual production volume of 20 million gallons, 2% of the total motor fuel sold by volume in the state must be the alternate renewable fuel produced from domestically grown feedstock. This requirement may not exceed 2% of the total motor fuel sold by volume by owners or operators of fuel distribution terminals.

Blenders and retailers will have six months to meet the new minimum content requirements, unless the state Department of Weights and Measures determines there is an insufficient supply of ethanol or biodiesel in the state. Any combination of alternative fuels, including but not limited to denatured ethanol, biodiesel and alternative renewable fuel may be used to meet these requirements. Fuels containing ethanol or biodiesel will not be required to be sold in ozone nonattainment areas. The Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry will adopt rules and regulations requiring incentives to compensate for any costs associated with achieving the minimum ethanol and biodiesel standards.

(Reference House Bill 685, 2006, Senate Bill 454, 2006, House Resolution 94, 2006, and Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:4674, 3:3751, and 3:3752)
Biofuels Feedstock Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2006, renewable fuel plants operating in Louisiana and deriving ethanol from the distillation of corn must use at least 20% of the corn crop harvested in Louisiana as feedstock. In succeeding years, the minimum percentage of Louisiana-harvested corn used to produce renewable fuel in Louisiana facilities must be at least the same percentage of corn used nationally to produce renewable fuel as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of the Chief Economist.

Beginning July 1, 2006, renewable fuel plants operating in Louisiana and deriving biodiesel from soybeans and other crops must use at least 2.5% of the soybean crop harvested in Louisiana as feedstock. In succeeding years, the minimum percentage of Louisiana-harvested soybeans used to produce renewable fuel in Louisiana facilities must be the percentage of soybeans used nationally to produce renewable fuel as reported by the USDA Office of the Chief Economist.
(Reference Senate Bill 454, 2006 and Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:3751 and 3:3752)

Low Speed Vehicle Support
The Legislature of Louisiana supports the commercial introduction of low speed vehicles into the state as an energy efficient and economically beneficial form of transportation. The Legislature urges and requests that the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles use the maximum authorized inspection period for low speed vehicles and that all parishes and municipalities which inspect motor vehicles exempt low speed vehicles from such inspection. (Reference Senate Concurrent Resolution 112, 2005)

Low Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways
Low speed vehicles may only be used on roads that have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, must be equipped with safety equipment as specified in 49 C.F.R. 571.500, and must be registered with the state's Office of Motor Vehicles. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes, 32:300.1)

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Regulatory Authority
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' Office of Conservation has regulatory authority over CNG safety, including refueling stations and the installation of conversion equipment in a vehicle. The Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission must make safety inspections of vehicles equipped for and capable of operating on LPG. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes 30:732)

 
Deregulation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a Motor Fuel
The Public Service Commission deregulated the sale of CNG by producers, pipelines, distribution companies, or other persons when it is used as a transportation fuel. (Reference Louisiana Revised Statutes, 45:1163)

 
Utilities/Private Incentives
Natural Gas Infrastructure Technical Assistance
Entergy offers preliminary feasibility studies for CNG refueling stations and vendor selection on a case-by-case basis.

 
Point of Contact
Robert Borne
Business Development
Entergy Corporation
Phone (225) 763-5117
Fax (225) 763-5168
rborne@entergy.com
http://www.entergy.com

 

Louisiana Points of Contact: