The recently confirmed USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development told ethanol supporters last week that he is excited about the programs they have to help the people in rural America.

“One thing that I really want to make clear that I bring to this position as Under Secretary each day is my passion for rural America,” said Dr. Basil Gooden in remarks to the American Coalition for Ethanol annual DC Fly-in. “I grew up in rural America. I grew up on the same farm that we own and operate today.”

USDA Rural Development administers the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program, better known as HBIIP, which received funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and in January awarded another $19 million to help increase the availability of higher blends. “That program is there to really, really boost the consumption of ethanol and it looks to actually boost it by about 1.2 billion gallons annually,” said Gooden.

Listen to Gooden’s remarks here:
Remarks from Basil Gooden, USDA 16:21

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album