Funding Will Provide More Cost-Effective Options for Hoosier Consumers
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Indiana State Director Dr. Terry Goodin announced today that USDA is awarding $5 million in grants to Bulk Petroleum Corporation to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Hoosiers and travelers cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas station pumps.
Goodin said, “by increasing the supply of biofuels made here in Indiana and the U.S., we are strengthening our energy independence, lowering costs for Hoosier families in rural communities.”
Bulk Petroleum Corporation will use the $5 million to expand access to domestic biofuels in 10 stations. This project will install 73 E15 dispensers, 7 E85 dispensers, 33 B20 dispensers, 31 ethanol storage tanks, and 22 biodiesel storage tanks at 24 fueling stations located in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky.
- Station locations impacted by this grant are: IA - Davenport (2); IN - Columbus, North Vernon, Nineveh, and Bedford; KY - Louisville; MI - Lansing, and Grand Rapids (3); WI - Green Bay (3), Wisconsin Rapids (2), Black River Falls, Sheboygan Falls, Two Rivers, Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee (2), Oak Creek, Sheboygan, Luxemburg, and Cudahy. This project projects to increase the amount of biofuels sold by 7,841,796 gallons per year.
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.
USDA 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/in.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. 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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