The Department of Agriculture touted biofuels investments in Iowa Thursday. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced USDA has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase U.S. ethanol and biodiesel sales. The funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to recipients in 14 states.
The program helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to installing fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure.
The initial $22 million in investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly 150 million gallons annually. USDA plans on announcing the remaining investments in the coming weeks.
On the same day, Rural America 2020 flew a plane carrying a banner over select Iowa cities. the banner read, “Trump Sold Out Ethanol for Big Oil.” The group cites Trump administration waivers to oil companies to avoid ethanol requirements that have depressed ethanol demand.