WASHINGTON — Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that 21 states will receive grants through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). In late May, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the department planned to invest up to $100 million in biofuel blender pumps to help bring about greater access to higher ethanol blends. With a more than 1:1 match from private and state resources, USDA estimates that the BIP grants will support nearly 5,000 pumps at over 1,400 fueling stations across the country. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following statement commending USDA for its investment: "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should take a lesson from today's announcement by USDA. While the EPA is thwarting investment in private sector infrastructure by proposing to significantly slash the 2014–2016 biofuel volume obligations contained in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), USDA understands what is necessary to assure consumer access and move our nation's biofuels industry forward. RFA joins consumers across the country in applauding USDA today for its efforts to encourage a choice of high-octane, low-cost, domestically produced fuel at the pump."
