The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened a 90-day application window for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grants. The cost-share grants can meet up to 50% (or $5 million) of eligible costs for projects that install, retrofit or upgrade infrastructure to support consumer access to B5 and higher blends. The applications must be submitted through the USDA Rural Development HBIIP website. The Commodity Credit Corporation is providing up to $100 million in grants this year through the program.
USDA will host a series of webinars via Zoom to assist applicants – including “deep dive” sessions for specific types of newly eligible project:
- Tuesday, August 30, 2 p.m. EDT
HBIIP Overview and Enrollment Orientation – Register - Tuesday, September 13, 2 p.m. EDT
HBIIP Environmental Review Process for Applicants – Register - Tuesday, September 20, 2 p.m. EDT
HBIIP Transportation Fueling Facility Applicant Deep Dive – Register - Thursday, September 22, 2 p.m. EDT
HBIIP Rail/Marine Fueling Facility Applicant Deep Dive – Register - Tuesday, September 27, 2 p.m. EDT
HBIIP Fuel Distribution Facility Applicant Deep Dive – Register
These webinars are hosted by USDA’s Rural Development office. Check the “Events” tab for the full list and links to past webinars. Contact Jeff Carpenter at USDA for additional information or issues, (402) 318-8195, HigherBlendsGrants-access@usda.gov.
The first round of HBIIP grants in were a success for the biodiesel industry. Biodiesel projects received just over 25% of available funds, which supported infrastructure for more than 1 billion gallons of storage and distribution capacity – more than 80% of affected biofuel gallons. The success helped build bipartisan sponsorship for the new Biofuel Infrastructure and Agriculture Market Expansion Program, which was included in the Inflation Reduction Act and will provide an additional $500 million in infrastructure grants from 2023 through 2031. Please visit Clean Fuels’ Fueling Action Center to send a note of thanks to your Representative and Senators for supporting this new program.
Source: Clean Fuels Alliance America