In an August 20th announcement Justin Maxson, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development announced grants totaling $26 million extended to 23 states to increase availability of fuels containing higher levels of renewable content.  It is estimated that the investment will increase annual sales by 822 million gallons.  The awards recognize the first anniversary of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program introduced by the previous Administration.

In announcing the program, Maxson stated, “By expanding the availability of higher-blend biofuels, we’re giving consumers more environmentally-friendly choices when they fill up at the pump and also stimulate an important market for U.S. farmers and ranchers.”

Projects will include installation of tanks, piping and pumps at fuel distribution facilities in numerous states for ethanol and gasoline and vegetable oil addition for biodiesel.

To date the USDA has invested $66 million in projects increasing sales of biofuels by 1.2 billion gallons annually.