HURON, S.D., Jan. 19, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota State Director Nikki Gronli today announced three
grants totalling $192,288 to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 22 states and give Americans cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas station pumps in South Dakota.
“By expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels, we are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we’re lowering fuel costs, and creating new opportunities for South Dakota farmers. This is how we keep rural economies strong for the next generation,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Nikki Gronli. [Audio: MP3, 17 Sec, 400KB]
The Department is making the awards through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), made possible with funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act..
- Casey’s General Store in Tyndall, SD, received $46,428 to install four E15 ethanol blend fuel dispensers.
- Casey’s General Store on West 26th street in Sioux Falls, SD, received $89,680 to install eight E15 ethanol blend fuel dispensers.
- Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores on North Cliff Ave in Sioux Falls, SD, received 56,180 to retrofit eight fuel dispensers to E15 ethanol.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $96 million nationwide to increase access to biofuels at fueling stations.
Background: Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels strengthens energy independence, creates new revenue for American businesses and brings good-paying jobs to rural communities.
In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels. That same month, USDA also announced the first round of Inflation Reduction Act-funded HBIIP awardees.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. There are three quarterly application windows left, and the program ends Sept. 30, 2024. The next application deadline is March 31, 2024.
For more information, go to the HBIIP webpage.
Rural Development provides loans, grants and loan guarantees to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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