The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agreeing to invest $500 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and to give consumers cleaner fuel options.
“We are appreciative of Secretary Vilsack and the Biden administration for continuing to recognize the many benefits of biofuels,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Continued access to ethanol lowers fuel prices for drivers and increases our domestic fuel supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
USDA also announced today that in July it will begin accepting applications for $450 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, which was created to support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling. The program also allows distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure, such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks, according to USDA.
“Increasing the availability of higher blends helps expand the retail infrastructure compatible with the future low-carbon, high octane, mid-level ethanol blends,” Haag said. “That’s why NCGA has invested in infrastructure for higher ethanol blends, partnering with ethanol associations to assist fuel retailers in applying for HBIIP grants.”
There will be five application windows for HBIIP between July 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024. A sixth application window will be opened if funding has not been exhausted. For more information, visit the HBIIP webpage here.