U.S.D.A. Declares State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 21 states will gain grants through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to add infrastructure needed to supply more renewable fuel to America's drivers. Since announcing the plan in May 2015, the U.S.D.A.'s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) received applications requesting over $130 million, outpacing the $100 million that is available. With a in excess of 1:1 match from private and state resources, U.S.D.A. estimates that the BIP grants will support nearly 5,000 pumps at over 1,400 fueling stations across the country.

"The quality and geographic diversity of the applications, backed by supportive state and private partners, demonstrate the strong demand across the country for cleaner, more affordable fuel," said Secretary Vilsack. "The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership is one approach U.S.D.A. is using to aggressively pursue investments in American-grown renewable energy to create new markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers, help Americans save money on their energy bills, support America's clean energy economy, cut carbon pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil and costly fossil fuels."

A typical gas pump delivers fuel with ten percent ethanol, which limits the amount of renewable energy most consumers can purchase at the pump. U.S.D.A. estimates that this investment will in excess of double the number of stations that offer intermediate blends of ethanol, mainly E15 fuel levels, nationwide.

Through BIP, U.S.D.A. will award competitive grants, matched by states, to expand the infrastructure for distribution of higher blends of ethanol. BIP funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation must be used to pay a portion of the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps and related infrastructure dedicated to the distribution of higher ethanol blends, for example E15 and E85, at vehicle fueling locations. The matching contributions may be used for these items or for related costs such as additional infrastructure to support pumps, marketing, education, data collection, plan evaluation and administrative costs. This partnership will expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth and the jobs that come with it, and ultimately give consumers more choices at the pump.

For a preliminary list of state finalists and estimated pumps view the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership - State Table.

Backing amounts for each state will be announced at a later date. For more information about BIP, visit the Energy Programs website.

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