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USDA Rural Development Invests $4.25 Million to Expand the Use of Renewable Fuels in the Northeast, Including MA, RI, and CT

Name
Emily Cannon
City
WASHINGTON
Release Date

Investment is Part of $487 Million Announced Nationwide on Earth Day


On Earth Day, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. In the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, this investment added up to over 
$4.25 million that will help finance critical infrastructure that supports the use of renewable fuels.

“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” Maxson said. “The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”

Elizabeth Gariepy, USDA Rural Development Acting State Director for MA, RI, and CT,  said, “I am pleased that this significant investment will help expand the use of renewable fuels in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. These vital funds will create infrastructure that will help to preserve our beautiful environment for future generations.”

Through this Earth Day announcement, three fuel distribution businesses will receive a total of $4,255,824 through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Innovation Program for critical infrastructure upgrades:

  • Sprague Operating Resources LLC., located in Portsmouth, NH, will receive a Higher Blends Infrastructure Innovation Program Grant in the amount of $149,187. This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels from Sprague Operating Resources, LLC. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Quincy, Massachusetts. This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 8,320,000 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

 

  • Global Companies, LLC., located in Waltham, MA, will receive a Higher Blends Infrastructure Innovation Program Grant in the amount of $3,806,637. This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Albany, NY; Newburgh, NY; Providence, RI; Bridgeport, CT; and Revere, MA. This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 51,260,490 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.  

 

  • Townsend Oil Company, located in Danvers, MA, will receive a Higher Blends Infrastructure Innovation Program Grant in the amount of $300,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels for Townsend Oil Company. Facility locations impacted by this grant are: Danvers, MA; Manchester, NH; and Somersworth, NH. This project projects to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 8,161,903 gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities in activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel.

Highlights of the Nationwide announcement include investments in:

Biofuel Infrastructure: 
USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 218 million gallons per year. This will give consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.

Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:
USDA is investing $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America. 

Renewable Energy in Rural Communities:
USDA is investing $78 million in renewable energy infrastructure in 30 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Projects financed under this program can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate. 


Rural Electric Infrastructure Upgrades:
USDA is investing $17.4 million in loans in New Mexico and South Dakota through the Electric Loan Program to build and improve rural electric infrastructure and connect residents to affordable and dependable power. The Electric Loan Program brings efficient, modern electric infrastructure to rural communities and finances wind, solar, natural gas and clean energy production. The program also provides loans to electric utilities to support vegetation management, which helps prevent forest fires.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In 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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