Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited an Iowa ethanol plant Monday to announce USDA will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states. That funding had been included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Secretary Rollins made the announcement at Elite Octane in Atlantic, Iowa, along with an entourage that included Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

“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.

In a press availability with the other dignitaries, Rollins was first asked about nationwide, year-round E15. “This is a priority of our administration,” said Rollins. “We hear you and we understand how important it is.”

Questioned about tariff negotiations and whether the administration would be willing to compensate farmers impacted adversely as it did in the first Trump term, Rollins said, “My hope and prayer and goal is that we don’t have to do that again, that in fact these tariff re-negotiations will be so positive for our farmers and ranchers and ag community on the front end.”

Gov. Reynolds, Elite Octane CEO Nick Bowdish, Sen. Ernst, Rep. Nunn and Rep. Miller-Meeks also make comments in the press conference.

USDA Sec. Rollins at Elite Octane 16:17