U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today (March 31) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states. This includes new projects approved within the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and advances President Trump's January 20th Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy, underscoring our commitment to farmers, ranchers and small business owners in rural areas, and their essential role in building a stronger, more energy secure America.
Secretary Rollins made the announcement today during an event at Elite Octane LLC in Atlantic, Iowa a state that leads the nation in ethanol and biodiesel production, with 42 ethanol plants capable of producing over 4.7 billion gallons annually and 10 biodiesel plants with the annual production capacity of 416 million gallons.
"President Trump is honoring our commitment to America's farmers, ranchers and small businesses, especially here in Iowa where corn and soy growers are crucial to supporting ethanol and biodiesel production," Secretary Rollins said. "Under the President's leadership, we are moving away from the harmful effects of misguided climate policies like the Green New Deal. Instead, USDA will deploy energy investments that prioritize the needs of our rural communities. Through HBIIP, we will expand access to domestic, homegrown fuels which will increase good paying jobs for hardworking Americans, restore rural prosperity and strengthen our nation's energy security."
Background:
USDA is aggressively exploring additional ways to unleash American energy and incentivize the production and use of homegrown U.S. biofuels, including working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) that support the biofuel industry, as well as supporting EPA's review of any potential emergency fuel waivers to allow the nationwide year-round sale of E15. In the current agricultural economy, U.S. biofuels remain a bright spot and tremendous opportunity.
Established at USDA Rural Development during President Trump's first term, HBIIP helps expand the production of domestic biofuels by helping fueling stations install the pumps, storage containers, and other necessary infrastructure needed to offer biofuel options at the pump.
HBIIP investments directly impact American farmers. The expansion of biofuel infrastructure broadens the availability of fuels like E15, E85, and B20, made from American-made agricultural commodities. Additionally, this program protects American farmers from retaliatory trade practices, diversifies the nation's energy supply, creates jobs and supports economic growth in rural communities.
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