U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials said the agency would make up to $100 million in competitive grants available as part of an effort to expand the biofuels infrastructure.
The competitive grants or sales incentives would be available through the USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Program to eligible entities for initiatives designed to expand the sale and use of ethanol and biodiesel fuels.
Per the USDA, the funds would be made available to help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to and/or offering sales incentives for the installation of fuel pumps and infrastructure.
“America’s energy independence is critical to our economic security, and President Trump fully recognizes the importance of our ethanol and biofuels industries and the positive impacts they deliver to consumers and farmers with an affordable, abundant and clean-burning fuel,” Perdue said. “American ethanol and biofuel producers have been affected by decreased energy demands due to the coronavirus, and these grants to expand their availability will help increase their use during our economic resurgence.”
Sites such as vehicle fueling facilities, including local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners, and/or distribution facilities would have grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs available to them, officials indicated.