### USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership 1 

### US DA News
.. . 

# USDA

**~**

-- United States Department of Agriculture Offi ce of Communications 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washingtofl, DC 20250-1300 (202) 720-4623 oc.news @usda.gov www. usda.gov Release No. 0249.15 

# News Release

Contact: Office ofCommunications (202)720-462 

### 3 USDA Announces State Finalists for the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Sept. I0, 2015

- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vii sack today announced that 21 states will receive grants through the Biofuel lntl·astructure Partnership (B IP) to add infrastructure needed to supp l y more renewable fuel to America's drivers. Since announcing the program in May 2015, the U
.S. Department ofAgriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) received applications requesting over $130 million, outpacing the $100 million that is available
. With a more than I :I match from private and state resources, USDA estimates that the BIP grants will support nearly 5,000 pumps at over I,400 fueling stations across the country . "The quality and geographic diversity ofthe 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 I0 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 ofethanol, mainly E 15 fuel level s, nationwide
. Through BIP, USDA will award competitive grants, matched by states, to expand the infrastructure for distribution of higher blends ofethanol. 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 E 15 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 li st of state finalists and estimated pumps view the Biofuellnfrastructure PartnershipState Tab le. Funding amounts for each state will be announced at a later date. For more information about BIP, visit the Energy Programs website. # USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint ofdiscrimination, write: USDA, Office ofthe Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights , Office ofAdjudication, 1400 Independence Ave. , SW , Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)
. # 

### age 1 

### of 1



### htto ://www .usda.gov/wos/oortal/usda/usdamediafb?contentid=20 15/09/0249.xml&printa... 1 1/30/2015