Yesterday, United States Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue made stops in Minnesota and Iowa to announce investments by the USDA into biofuels infrastructure projects. The announcement of $22 million dollars in grants from the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) were made available to help retailers like Ankeny-based Casey?s to put in more pumps in its network of stations. The Secretary came to the new Casey?s store on 1st street in Ankeny to make the announcement.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig was in attendance and commented on how programs like HBIIP will allow more retailers to supply drivers with a choice of higher ethanol blends at the pumps. This support can drive more demand for ethanol blends and that will benefit Iowa corn growers.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was also in Ankeny to celebrate the announcement. He thanked Secretary Perdue and companies like Casey?s for investing in biofuels infrastructure. Grassley said that it is all about giving consumers choices at the gas pump.
U.S. Ag Secretary Perdue said that looking at the new and modern pumps that Casey?s has installed at its new Ankeny facility, this is exactly what the USDA envisions when they think about how these grant dollars can be spent to upgrade the infrastructure for biofuels.
Perdue added that by having more pumps it brings more attention to consumers who will then want to see more retailers offering choices at the pump. Having more E15 pumps available will help to increase the demand by 50% over E10.
Secretary Perdue said he commented to Senator Grassley that an increase in demand for ethanol will create more demand for corn than what Iowa can fill. Senator Grassley responded by saying that Iowa farmers can easily meet that challenge.
Casey?s is one of several retailers in 14 states that will benefit from its share of the grant money. Casey?s President and CEO Darren Rebelez said that this grant award will allow Casey?s to upgrade pumps at 70 stations in their network.
Biofuels supporters celebrated the announcement.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw:
?Today we see the fruits of an effort that began just over a year ago when a coalition of Midwestern lawmakers, led by Senator Joni Ernst, met with President Donald Trump to discuss restoring biofuel demand destroyed by EPA?s abuse of RFS exemptions. IRFA members thank Senator Ernst for her leadership in ensuring the Trump administration prioritized biofuels infrastructure and thank Secretary Perdue and his team for following through on President Trump?s commitment to grow consumer access to higher biofuel blends around the country. Finally, we thank Iowa retailers for stepping up to participate in the program. The 15 Iowa fuel suppliers receiving grants today are leaders in bringing cleaner-burning lower-cost fuel options to consumers.?
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor:
?This announcement offers a welcome ray of hope during an otherwise rough year for America?s farmers, retailers, and biofuel producers. It represents a major milestone in our efforts to ensure more Americans can access cleaner and more affordable ethanol-blended fuel. We?re grateful to Secretary Perdue, USDA, and our congressional champions who are working tirelessly to make higher ethanol blends a success. We?re especially proud of Growth Energy?s incredible network of retail partners, who bring Unleaded88 (E15) to consumers across the nation and are paving the way for higher blends of ethanol.”
