246 Iowa Retail Locations Receive Nearly $17 Million in USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Grants to Add E15 and Biodiesel Blends

Iowa Grants Were Part of $90.3 Million in USDA HBIIP Grants in 26 States

Contact: Emma Koehler
515-252-6249

JOHNSTON, IA - Today, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $90.3 million of Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants in 26 states to upgrade fueling infrastructure. Within those grants, 246 Iowa retail locations received nearly $17 million to expand consumer access to higher biofuel blends like E15 and B20 across Iowa.

"Iowa retailers are really stepping up to benefit all Iowans by providing consumers with cleaner-burning, lower-cost, better-quality fuel options at the pump," said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. "E15 can save consumers 10 to 25 cents per gallon. With Iowa's E15 Access Standard taking effect on January 1, 2026, programs like HBIIP and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) provide tools to help Iowa retailers prepare. IRFA is encouraged by the number of retailers who are actively working to meet the deadline to expand the availability of homegrown biofuels while providing a boost to the economy."

HBIIP provides cost-share grants to retailers who are working to expand access to biofuel blends, aiming to significantly increase the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel. On average each grant dollar has leveraged four dollars in private investment.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually - including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

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