Record Number of Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants Awarded in Iowa

91 Fuel Retail Locations Received Grants Today
427 Fuel Retail Grants Awarded in FY25

Contact: Monte Shaw
515-252-6249

WEST DES MOINES, IA - During its last scheduled meeting during Fiscal Year 2025, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) today awarded more than $1 million in cost-share grants to support the installation of E15 at 91 additional retail fuel sites across Iowa. This milestone brings the total number of E15 projects awarded this fiscal year to 388, by far the most grants in a year since RFIP's inception.

"These investments are a win for Iowa drivers, farmers, and fuel retailers," said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). "Retailers are working hard to meet the E15 Access Standard, and this program is a critical tool to help them bridge the gap in offering higher blends."

So far in the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, 2024, RFIP has awarded over $11 million in grants, funding 388 E15 projects and 39 biodiesel projects. These public dollars have spurred millions more in private investment, accelerating the expansion of higher blends of renewable fuels across the state.

"It is clear the Governor's E15 Access Standard is working and on pace for implementation on January 1 next year," said Shaw. "We're also pleased to see that as we predicted a huge number of retail locations in Iowa have been able to offer E15 with a very small investment, most of which is covered by the RFIP grants."

In total, since the program's founding, more than $59 million in state grants have been awarded through RFIP, helping fund ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure. These investments have enabled hundreds of Iowa fueling stations to offer cleaner-burning, homegrown fuels like E15, E85, and biodiesel blends to consumers.

The Iowa Legislature recently approved an additional $10 million in funding for the program for the upcoming fiscal year.

"We thank Governor Reynolds and state legislative leaders for stepping up," Shaw added. "With a nudge from the Governor's Biofuels Bill and support from the RFIP grant program, in less than three years E15 has gone from hard to find to readily available to the vast majority of Iowans. In short, the E15 Access Standard has been a remarkable success for motorists, Iowa's economy, our environment, and for Iowa's farmers."

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 .

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