Program Awards 108 Projects Nearly $5 Million Statewide

Press Contact: 515-322-0435

WEST DES MOINES, IA- Yesterday Iowa's cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) awarded $4,992,182 in grants for 108 applicants to add higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel to retail sites. Nearly 100 applications focused on expanding E15 availability at retail locations, while the remaining 15 grants will add B11 at select sites.

"Following RFIP's latest round of grant awards in September, it is exciting to see even more retailers take advantage of this opportunity to provide higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers," said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt, who sits on the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board.

To qualify for the program, biodiesel retailers must use the infrastructure to offer biodiesel blended fuel classified as B11 (11 percent biodiesel) or higher. During colder months, retailers can offer B5. Ethanol retailers can qualify for E15 and higher blends.

To date, the program has granted over $65 million to help fund biofuels infrastructure across Iowa, allowing retailers to add necessary equipment to their stations to offer higher blends of biofuels. The program has also led to approximately $280 million of retailer investments since its inception, allowing them to stay on track with Iowa's E15 Access Standard legislation. RFIB consists of voting members appointed by the Governor of the State of Iowa.

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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually - including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org .