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The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program is designed
to expand the reach of ethanol-based fuels. Illinois is one of
22 states that will be receiving part of the $19 million in
funding.
“By increasing U.S.-made biofuel supply, we’re enhancing energy
independence, reducing costs for American families, and creating
new income streams for agricultural producers, while bringing
good-paying jobs to rural communities,” said U.S. Department of
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Blending ethanol into gasoline has reduced fuel costs by about
25%, decreasing gas prices nationwide.
“There’s a huge price spread between 10% blends and E85, so that
is what the consumer is trending towards, the cheaper option,”
said Jon Rosenstiel, a Pearl City farmer and chairman of the
ethanol action team for the National Corn Growers Association.
A portion of the funding will go toward installing E15
dispensers at Casey’s General Store gas stations and Love’s
Travel Stops locations around the state.
Illinois-based Piasa Enterprises Inc. will be using a $200,000
grant to install two 30,000 gallon biodiesel storage tanks at a
distribution center in Hartford, projecting a 2 million gallon
increase in biodiesel sales.
“Most of the corn organizations are working towards high blends,
but in order to get to higher blends, we have to have the
infrastructure there for it to happen,” said Rosenstiel.
USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand
access to domestic biofuels.
“Ethanol blends reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs,” said
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). “It’s good for
Illinois farmers, and it’s good for rural jobs.”
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