Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. receives $1.17 million grant to expand biodiesel storage, add equipment in Michigan

Warner Petroleum's current fuel storage will be expanded through the use of HBIIP grant funds. (Photo: Michigan Soybean Committee)

Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. has received a $1.17 million grant to expand use of biodiesel for improved air quality in the Detroit metropolitan area.  

The newly announced grant is through the USDA High Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.  

This program assists in infrastructure improvements to encourage sales of renewable biofuels that reduce harmful emissions from diesel vehicles and marine vessels.     

Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. is a Detroit-based fuel-distribution company.  

With the HBIIP grant, the company will add biodiesel storage tanks and equipment to its fueling facility in Dearborn, Michigan, increasing its biodiesel-sales capacity by 10 million gallons per year.  

With these improvements, Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. will more efficiently serve both marine and land-based customers at the Dearborn site. 

“Biodiesel is an immediate solution to air-quality concerns in Detroit,” said Jason Smith, vice president of supply and sales for Warner Petroleum Co., which is part of the same ownership group as Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. “Our expanded biodiesel capacity will help reduce carbon emissions from heavy-duty vessels shipping on the Great Lakes, as well as from trucks and vehicles transporting goods on land.”  

According to Smith, Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. will add jobs to accommodate the expansion, and its infrastructure improvements will bring construction jobs to the area.  

The project is now in the engineering and bidding phase.     

Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Co. is among the stakeholders in the Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC), an organization promoting use of advanced biofuels to support energy security and improve air and environmental quality.      

The 2024 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association gave failing grades to Wayne County, Michigan, based on three measurements of air quality.   

Greater use of biodiesel has potential to significantly impact the current and future health of Detroit residents and the surrounding community by reducing carbon and particulate-matter emissions.   

For more information about biodiesel and MiABC, visit miadvancedbiofuels.com.