The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated approximately $19 million in funding through its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). These funds will support the expansion of infrastructure in 22 states, with the goal of increasing access to renewable fuels.
Established in January 2020, the HBIIP aims to promote the use of ethanol and biodiesel in the country. The program received $500 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act in summer 2022. This funding will be available until 2031 and can cover up to 75% of project costs, with a maximum limit of $5 million per applicant.
Among the grants awarded is Casey’s General Store Inc., which received $4.9 million to build 456 E15 dispensers across various locations. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. also received $4.9 million for the construction of 704 E15 dispensers nationwide.
Bulk Petroleum Corporation was granted the full amount of $5 million. They will use this funding to build numerous dispensers and storage tanks, including 73 E15 dispensers, seven E85 dispensers, 33 B20 dispensers, 31 ethanol storage tanks, and 22 biodiesel storage tanks across their 24 fueling stations in the Midwest.
Additionally, Tristar FLC Inc. received $3.5 million, while Piasa Enterprises Inc., Capital City Oil Inc., and AC&T Inc. were awarded grants of $200,000, $122,521, and $128,000 respectively.
With this latest round of funding, the Biden administration has now allocated a total of $96 million for HBIIP projects. In June, the USDA provided $25 million in grants to support 59 initiatives.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the new funding during the Iowa Renewable Fuel Association’s annual summit in Altoona, Iowa.