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Release No. 0249.15

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### USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Sept. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 21 states will

receive grants through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to add infrastructure needed to

supply more renewable fuel to America's drivers. Since announcing the program in May 2015, the U.S.

Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) received applications requesting over $130 million, outpacing the $100 million that is available. With a more than 1:1 match from private and

state resources, USDA estimates that the BIP grants will support nearly 5,000 pumps at over 1,400

fueling stations across the country.

"The quality and geographic diversity of the applications, backed by supportive state and private

partners, demonstrate the strong demand across the country for cleaner, more affordable fuel," said

Secretary Vilsack. "The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership is one approach USDA is using to aggressively

pursue investments in American-grown renewable energy to create new markets for U.S. farmers and

ranchers, help Americans save money on their energy bills, support America's clean energy economy,

cut carbon pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil and costly fossil fuels."

A typical gas pump delivers fuel with 10 percent ethanol, which limits the amount of renewable energy

most consumers can purchase at the pump. USDA estimates that this investment will more than double

the number of stations that offer intermediate blends of ethanol, mainly E15 fuel levels, nationwide.

Through BIP, USDA will award competitive grants, matched by states, to expand the infrastructure for

distribution of higher blends of ethanol. BIP funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation must be used

to pay a portion of the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps and related infrastructure dedicated

to the distribution of higher ethanol blends, for example E15 and E85, at vehicle fueling locations. The

matching contributions may be used for these items or for related costs such as additional infrastructure

to support pumps, marketing, education, data collection, program evaluation and administrative costs.

This partnership will expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth and the jobs that come

with it, and ultimately give consumers more choices at the pump.

For a preliminary list of state finalists and estimated pumps view the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership -

State Table

.

Funding amounts for each state will be announced at a later date. For more information about BIP, visit

the Energy Programs website.

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Topics Programs and Services Newsroom BlogUSDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership | USDA Newsroom

USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership USDA Newsroom.htm [9/14/2015 1:01:22 PM]USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership | USDA Newsroom

USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership USDA Newsroom.htm [9/14/2015 1:01:22 PM] Last Date Modified: 09/10/2015

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