U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Significant Biofuel and Clean Energy Expansion Projects Across Minnesota

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN - Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN), announced 71 farms and small businesses across Minnesota will receive federal funding to install clean energy technology and make energy efficiency improvements, in addition to 15 awards to build out the infrastructure businesses need to make domestic biofuels more accessible. These investments will lower Minnesota's carbon emissions while saving consumers money on energy and gas.

"Domestically produced biofuel and renewable power systems strengthen our energy independence, support our farmers, and boost rural economies," said Senator Klobuchar. "These federal funds will also help families and businesses transition to clean energy, reducing their overall energy costs. And through the funding made possible by my bill with Senator Ernst, the Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Product Market Expansion Act, Minnesotans will have better access to biofuels at local gas stations."

"The clean energy transition is happening, and I want us to lead it," said Senator Smith. "As we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That's why we pushed to expand programs like REAP that help farmers and rural communities looking to install renewable energy systems or HBIIP, which helps businesses invest in the infrastructure they need to expand the use of biofuels. These grants will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars per year in energy costs, and support producers who are the bedrock of our biofuel industry and reduce harmful emissions."

These projects are made possible through two programs, both of which were authorized or expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported.

Rural Energy for America Program ($9.2M for 71 projects)

1. The clean energy projects going to 71 farms and small businesses in Minnesota are made possible through the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program. The funding is specifically for agricultural producers and rural small businesses who want to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentives Program ($16.5M for 15 Projects)

1. The biofuels infrastructure projects are possible through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentives Program (HBIIP). HBIIP was designed to bolster the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from American agricultural products.

The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by region, can be found here (REAP) and here (HBIIP).