The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) has awarded nearly $1.9 million in cost-share grants to help 48 retail locations expand access to biofuels, state officials announced last week. The program’s latest round of grants included four projects adding B11 biodiesel and 44 projects focused on expanding E15 ethanol availability. Iowa Renewable Fuel’s Association (IRFA) Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt says, “Following RFIP’s latest round of grant awards in July, it is exciting to see even more retailers take advantage of this opportunity to provide biofuels to customers.” To qualify, biodiesel retailers must offer B11 or higher, though they may switch to B5 blends during colder months. Ethanol retailers can qualify by offering E15 or higher ethanol blends. Since its creation, RFIP has awarded more than $61 million in cost-share grants to help Iowa retailers install the necessary equipment to expand access to higher biofuel blends. Biofuel proponents claim increased access to biofuels will strengthen demand for Iowa’s ag products and help offset uncertainty created by trade disputes with some of the world’s largest importers of corn and soybeans.
