Grants impact fuel options throughout Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa, August 16, 2024 – Today, on the second anniversary of the President Bidens’s Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield announced that USDA is providing $14,610,814 in funding for 19 projects in Iowa to expand access to clean energy systems and increase the availability of domestic biofuels that will create new market opportunities and jobs for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. The projects will increase American energy security and advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up.
“By providing fuel station and distribution facility owners with grants to install and upgrade infrastructure, USDA is helping folks find lower prices at the pump,” said Director Greenfield. “The Biden-Harris Administration is working to lower costs for rural Iowans while addressing the impacts of climate change. These projects announced today help create good-paying jobs and new market opportunities in rural Iowa.” Audio:wav,4.35MB,0:23sec
An additional project funded for $9,975,252 involves multiple locations in Iowa and four other states. All 20 projects are funded through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentives Program (HBIIP) and are part of a larger nationwide announcement.
Background
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 as a clean and affordable energy source. USDA will continue to accept HBIIP applications until September 30, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. CT. For more information, go to the HBIIP webpage.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides funding to USDA Rural Development to help eligible organizations invest in renewable energy infrastructure that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through programs such as HBIIP and the Rural Energy for America Program. The Inflation Reduction Act provided $43,876,348 in USDA Rural Development funding to 358 projects in Iowa prior to today’s announcement.
Contact USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.