Retailers receive grants for E15 improvements

DES MOINES — Several area retailers were awarded ethanol grants from the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced recently.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Board recently approved an additional 90 applications from Iowa fuel retailers to support new and expanded ethanol infrastructure projects.

In Benton County, Casey’s General Store in Belle Plaine was awarded $3,419 and Hy-Vee in Vinton, $9,128.

In Iowa County, Casey’s General Store in Williamsburg received $5,416, and in Poweshiek County, Casey’s General Store in Montezuma was awarded $3,181.

These investments help drivers save money by providing expanded access to lower cost and cleaner burning homegrown biofuels like E15 (Unleaded 88), said Naig’s office. The cost-share grants were awarded by the RFIP Board during its quarterly meeting June 4.

The approved project sites are in 48 different counties and total $1,234,431.79 in state cost-share.

“Biofuels provide value for drivers, open new markets for farmers, support rural jobs, reduce emissions, and advance the goal of greater American energy dominance,” said Naig in a press release.

“Expanding access to Unleaded 88 gives drivers more ways to save at the pump, and those savings really do add up over time. In 2024, Iowa set a record for E15 sales, and that momentum will continue as more stations upgrade or install new fuel equipment.”

The Iowa Department of Revenue announced April 3 that Iowa E15 sales hit an all-time record in 2024, eclipsing the previous record from 2023 by 44%. With 256.7 million gallons of E15 sold in Iowa in 2024 at an average price discount of 15 cents per gallon compared to E10, Iowa drivers saved over $38.5 million last year by choosing E15 at the pump.

These investments are helping more Iowa fuel stations come into compliance with the E15 Access Standard. Iowa is the first state to enact an E15 Access Standard, which requires most fuel retailers to offer E15 by Jan. 1, 2026.

The law was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Gov. Reynolds in 2022. For those convenience stores and fuel stations that need assistance coming into compliance, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship can provide cost-share funding through the RFIP, according to the press release.

Since the cost-share grant program began in 2006, the Department has invested more than $62 million toward expanding renewable fuels infrastructure within Iowa. This has been matched with more than $270 million by Iowa convenience stores and fuel retailers.

With additional cost-share funding available, the Department welcomes grant applications to assist more fuel stations in improving and upgrading infrastructure. Applications are available at iowaagriculture.gov/IRFIP, and will be considered by the RFIP Board at an upcoming quarterly meeting.