MPCA sought proposals to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the use of stage 1 vapor recovery systems at gasoline-dispensing facilities throughout Minnesota. Grant funding is being offered for sites that are required or voluntarily choose to have a Stage 1 Vapor Recovery system on existing USTs or during UST replacement. Funding may be used for maintenance, testing, repairs, and parts replacement on existing Vapor Recovery systems. Funding may also be used for optional pressure testing after installation or repair of the Vapor Recovery system. The maintenance or installation of a dual point configuration or coaxial system is quick and should not interrupt business operations with minimal planning. These closed-loop systems help to increase the integrity of the tank with greater prevention of water and dust infiltration and allows for inexpensive testing to detect even the smallest of leaks.
Closed: Applications were due November 18, 2024.
Questions and answers
Applicants who have any questions regarding this RFP must email questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us no later than November 11, 2024, using the subject line: “Stage 1 Vapor Recovery grant RFP Question.” Answers to questions will be posted frequently in the SWIFT Supplier Portal.
MPCA personnel are not authorized to discuss this RFP with applicants and contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA personnel may result in disqualification.
Eligibility
Eligible projects include the following at any gasoline-dispensing facility in Minnesota:
- First-time installation of a Stage 1 vapor recovery system on an existing underground storage tank (UST).
- Replacement of an existing Stage 1 vapor recovery system on an existing UST.
- Maintenance, testing, repair, and parts replacements to make an existing Stage 1 vapor recovery system operational.
- Installation of a Stage 1 vapor recovery system during the replacement of a UST.
Eligible applicants.
- Privately owned gasoline-dispensing facilities (GDF) with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees total at all locations combined, with monthly throughput of 100,000 gallons or less.
- Monthly throughput means the total volume of gasoline that is loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during a month. Monthly throughput is calculated by summing the volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the current day, plus the total volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the previous 364 days, and then dividing that sum by 12.
- Monthly throughput means the total volume of gasoline that is loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during a month. Monthly throughput is calculated by summing the volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the current day, plus the total volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the previous 364 days, and then dividing that sum by 12.
- Government- or tribal-owned gasoline-dispensing facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- city-owned facilities
- county highway departments
- public school districts
- technical and community schools
- Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Met Council
- public works departments
- correctional facilities
- police stations
- fire departments
- Nonprofit organizations
Available funds
Approximately $250,000 in funding is available.
- Maximum grant award: $24,500 per application.
- Match requirement: 25% (The grant recipient must match at least 25% of the total project cost. Matching funds must be cash and may be obtained through loans or other non-state grants if the applicant chooses.)
How to apply
The request for proposal (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an “Event” within the SWIFT system.
- Go to the online SWIFT portal.
- Click on "Bidding opportunities".
- Find the event by name (MPCA-Stage 1 Vapor Recovery Grants) or ID (2000016243).
- Click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms. (There’s no need to log in to see the documents.)
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal.
- Register as a bidder in the SWIFT Supplier Portal, (Bidding = "applying")
- Choose "Register for an Account" and then "Register as a Bidder".
If you are already registered in the SWIFT system as a supplier (previously known as a vendor), use your supplier ID. Visit the SWIFT Supplier Portal under “Informational Tips” and “Supplier Portal Help” for more information. For questions about applying through SWIFT, please contact the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1.
More information
To help improve environmental stewardship, the MPCA is offering grant funding for sites that are required or voluntarily choose to have a Stage 1 Vapor Recovery system on underground storage tanks (UST). VOCs are emitted during the transfer of gasoline from a delivery vehicle into USTs located at filling stations across Minnesota. Stage 1 vapor recovery (Vapor Recovery) is the process of recovering the VOCs emitted during this transfer. Emissions can be reduced by 95% using a Vapor Recovery system over submerged filling alone.
A 2008 federal rule, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP 6C), requires vapor recovery systems on underground storage tanks with more than 100,000 gallons of gasoline throughput per month.
In January 2016, retail locations selling gasoline in the Twin Cities seven-county Metro Area (counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) were required to have a vapor recovery system. Without a vapor recovery system, retail locations subject to this regulation may not receive gasoline. In addition, the State of Minnesota requires an air permit if throughputs exceed 630,000 gallons per month with a Stage 1 vapor recovery system and 380,000 gallons per month without. For more information on regulations: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/gas-stations.