BISMARCK, N.D., (USDA RD ND Press Release) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Erin Oban today announced that USDA RD invested over $100,000 from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans additional cleaner fuel options at the pump.

“We’re thrilled that two North Dakota rural distributors – one servicing stations in Carrington and another in Park River – will be supported by these grant funds,” said Oban. “These two projects will increase ethanol production by well over 400,000 gallons per year. Investing in our infrastructure, including updates and upgrades to increase access to higher-blend biofuels, helps keeps costs lower at the pump for consumers and provides our ag producers with a stable, reliable market.”

In December 2022, USDA made available $50 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Today’s announcement included the first awardees of 59 infrastructure projects that will receive a total of $25 million. The list of awardees is available here. In addition, USDA announced today that in July the Department will begin accepting applications for $450 million in grants through HBIIP.