Additional $2.5 million awarded to install 106 new blender pumps and 17 underground storage tanks
DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that $2.5 million has been awarded through the 2nd round of the “Fueling Our Future 100” initiative to support the installation of 106 new blender pumps and 17 underground storage tanks that can be used to distribute higher blends of renewable fuels. The funds are being awarded to 16 fuel retailers to assist in installing renewable fuels infrastructure at 35 sits across the state.
A full list of sites receiving funding is here.
In total, 213 blender pumps and 24 underground storage tanks will be installed at 73 sites by 20 companies to provide consumers with access to higher blends of ethanol through the program.
“Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuel production,” said Branstad. “I’m pleased to see the 2nd round of funding being awarded to support another 106 new blender pumps and 17 underground storage tanks that will be used for renewable fuel in our state.”
Lt. Gov. Reynolds added, “We announced an initial award in January to install 107 new blender pumps and 8 underground tanks. This second round of funding will ensure that even more fueling stations around Iowa will be able to offer customers a higher blend of Iowa renewable fuel.”
“Thanks to the investments made by the state, the federal government and by these companies, customers will have greater access to higher blends of renewable fuels. This will increase consumer choice at the pump and allow them to increase the amount of clean burning, homegrown renewable fuels they use,” Northey said.
The funding for the projects is from a $5 million competitive grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) program Iowa received to support the initiative. All funds must be matched by non-federal funds, including up to $2.5 million from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure program. The fueling sites applying for assistance will also be required to provide a minimum of $2.5 million.
Pumps and tanks funded through this program are currently required to be operational by December 31, 2016 and continue operations for the intended purpose of dispensing higher blends of ethanol through December 30, 2021.
This new program is a partnership across state government, including collaboration between the Governor’s office, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Transportation, and Iowa Economic Development Authority.
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