USDA Celebrates Earth Day by Awarding $43 Million In HBIIP Grants
24/04/2024 (Biodiesel Magazine) - The USDA on April 23 awarded more than $43 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to support projects that will increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 15 states.
According to the USDA, the $43 million will support 57 projects in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. Individual awards range from as low as $40,114 to as high as $5 million.
The USDA awarded the $43 million in HBIIP grants as part of a larger $238 million funding announcement that also included more than $194 million in loans and grants that were awarded through the agency’s Rural Energy for America Program.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “As we celebrate Earth Day this year, we are excited to partner with hundreds more family farms and small businesses to address the impacts of climate change, grow the economy and keep rural communities throughout the country strong and resilient.”
HBIIP provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested approximately $135 million to increase access to biofuels at fueling stations. In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Applications are being accepted quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024.