Nine Iowa Fueling Locations Receive Over $3 Million in USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Grants to Add E15 and Biodiesel Blends

Iowa Grants Were Part of $39 Million in USDA HBIIP Grants in 18 States

Contact: Emma Koehler
515-252-6249

JOHNSTON, IA - Today, Deputy Secretary Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $39 million of Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants across 18 states to help retailers upgrade infrastructure such as storage tanks, dispensers and fuel pumps. This will allow 9 Iowa fueling locations, who received nearly $3 million, the ability to offer consumers higher blends of biofuels like E15 and B20 across the state.

"Consumers in Iowa come out winning when Iowa retailers choose to provide a homegrown, cleaner fuel option that leaves extra dollars in their pockets," said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. "With Iowa's cutting edge E15 Access Standard taking effect on January 1, 2026, there is plenty of time and resources to help Iowa retailers meet the deadline. The momentum for the USDA grants is rolling and USDA should not hit the brakes now. As congressional funding for HBIIP has run out, IRFA encourages the USDA to use discretionary funds to keep the grant awards going until Congress can refund HBIIP in the next Farm Bill."

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. Iowa retailers can also apply to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program for cost-share grants to offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends.

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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