MA Companies Receive $1.41M to Offer More Higher-Blend Renewable Fuels
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2021 – Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $26 million to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels by 822 million gallons annually in 23 states.
USDA is making the awards under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The funding will help significantly increase the use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products and prioritize climate-smart solutions that will help rural America build back better.
“Investments like these increase opportunities for American consumers to make climate-smart decisions and move the country closer to President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Maxson said. “By expanding the availability of higher-blend biofuels, we’re giving consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill up at the pump and stimulating an important market for U.S. farmers and ranchers.”
USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Liz Gariepy was pleased to make the announcement. “This essential investment in biofuel infrastructure will give consumers more choices at the pump while reducing carbon emissions,” she said. “By making higher-blend fuels more available, USDA continues to improve the lives of rural Americans with crucial clean-energy solutions. We are proud of this funding, and know it will have positive impacts for generations to come.”
Today’s announcement includes investments in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin.
Projects in Massachusetts include:
• In Haverhill, a $978,249 grant will be used to install three 30,000-gallon biodiesel storage tanks at the Broco Oil, Inc. distribution facility. The project will include pipe bridges and equipment upgrades, and is expected to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 45,000,000 gallons per year.
• Beverly-based BW Gas & Convenience Retail LLC, will use a $438,750 grant to replace 20 dispensers and two storage tanks, and install 18 dispensers at fueling stations in Azle, Texas and Decatur, New Mexico. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 2,634,159 gallons per year.
Background:
Today’s announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. To date, USDA has invested $66.4 million for projects that are expected to increase biofuels sales by 1.2 billion gallons annually.
Through this program, USDA helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure. For more information on the program, visit www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants 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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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