The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to release funds for 543 projects totalling US$537M in 29 states under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
As part of the move, new projects approved within the first 100 days of the Trump Administration would be included, the USDA said on 31 March.
“Through HBIIP, we will expand access to domestic, homegrown fuels which will … strengthen our nation’s energy security,” US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said when announcing the increased investment in Iowa, a state with 42 ethanol plants and 10 biodiesel plants.
The USDA said it was exploring additional ways to promote the production and use of domestically produced biofuels, including working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) that supported the biofuel industry, as well as supporting the EPA’s review of any potential emergency fuel waivers to allow the nationwide year-round sale of 15% ethanol blends in gasoline/petrol (E15).
Established during US President Donald Trump’s first term, the aim of HBIIP is to expand the production of domestic biofuels by helping petrol stations install pumps, storage containers and other necessary infrastructure needed to offer biofuel options.
The USDA said the expansion of biofuel infrastructure increased the availability of ethanol blends like E15 and E85, and biodiesel blends such as B20, produced from US agricultural products.
