To celebrate the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Minnesota to announce the funding of 160 projects in 26 states to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels. USDA is providing $99.6 million through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) with funding from the IRA.

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a visit to The Corner Store in Inver Grove Heights, which is receiving a $518,250 HBIIP grant to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will install four E15 dispensers, four E85 dispensers, and two ethanol storage tanks, one of 15 HBIIP project awards for the state totaling $16.5 million. Vilsack was joined by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN).

USDA is awarding $90.3 million in this installment of new HBIIP grants to 89 projects in 26 states, bringing to a total of more than $220 million nationwide to increase access to biofuels at fueling stations.

Prior to his trip to Minnesota, Vilsack spoke to ethanol producers in Omaha at the American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference where he spoke about the importance of increasing the use of higher ethanol blends nationwide.

“It’s also not only the ability to sell it year round. It’s also about the ability to have it more available in more stations and in more states,” said Vilsack. “But in order to do that you have to have the equipment which is why it was important for us to put the higher blend infrastructure program in place…and then convinced Congress and the administration to support our request for $500 million.”

USDA continues to accept HBIIP applications until Sept. 30, 2024.

Listen to Vilsack’s remarks from the ACE conference here:

ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack remarks 48:40

ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack presser 15:17

2024 ACE Annual Conference Photo Album