Brooklyn, Van Horne approved for E15 projects

Greater access to homegrown biofuels saves drivers money

DES MOINES — The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Board recently approved 126 project applications from Iowa gas stations for new and expanded E15, E85 and biodiesel infrastructure projects.

Casey’s General Store at 106 W. Second St. in Brooklyn will receive $48,415 and The Depot Express at 101 First Ave. in Van Horne will receive $75,000 for E15 projects.

Totaling nearly $6.35 million dollars, the 126 projects approved by the State are located across 61 Iowa counties and will allow drivers to save more money by providing more access to lower cost and cleaner burning homegrown biofuels.

The awards were made by the RFIP Board during meetings held in August and September.

New ethanol fueling infrastructure will be funded with the help of 88 cost-share grants totaling nearly $4.5 million for gas stations throughout Iowa, a record for one quarter.

The board also approved 38 biodiesel retail cost-share grants totaling over $1.8 million, also a record for one quarter.

“Iowa drivers gain another opportunity to save money every time a new pump is installed or upgraded at an Iowa gas station to dispense E15 and other higher biofuel blends,” said Naig.

“It’s exciting to see the momentum within our state’s renewable fuels industry as we see record ethanol production by our plants, record ethanol and biodiesel consumption by our drivers, and now record cost-share investment in ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure by our gas stations.

“We want to keep the Iowa biofuels momentum going because it not only saves drivers money, but it also supports rural jobs, expands markets for farmers, burns cleaner, and enhances our energy security,” Naig said.

Enacted in 2022, Iowa’s E15 Access Standard requires most retailers to offer E15 for sale by Jan. 1, 2026. With ample state and federal cost-share assistance still available, now is an ideal time for even more gas stations to upgrade their infrastructure.

The RFIP helps fuel retailers offer higher blends of homegrown, more affordable fuel options to consumers by incentivizing the installation, replacement and conversion of ethanol and biodiesel dispensing and storage infrastructure.

Incentives to upgrade biodiesel terminal and storage facilities are also available.

While the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship manages the program, a board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate determines grant allocations on a quarterly basis.

The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board will consider additional RFIP grant applications in the coming months. The RFIP grant application is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

To learn more about the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, visit the program’s website on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.