State grants boost biodiesel access at Iowa fuel retailers

Photo: Jenna Rose, Iowa Biodiesel Board

Iowa’s cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program awarded more than $1.12 million in grants for 20 applicants to add B11 and four applicants to add E15 to retail sites.

This was the first meeting following the start of RFIP’s fiscal year, which began July 1. 

“We are pleased to see more retailers making B11 biodiesel blends available to their customers,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

“Iowa is a leader in biodiesel use, so having these options available is a win for drivers and Iowa’s economy,” he added.  

To qualify for the program, biodiesel retailers must use the infrastructure to offer biodiesel-blended fuel classified as B11 (11 percent biodiesel) or higher.

During colder months, retailers can offer B5.

Ethanol retailers can qualify for E15 and higher blends. 

To date, the RFIP program, managed by the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board, has distributed over $60 million to help fund ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure across Iowa, allowing retailers to add necessary equipment to their stations to offer higher blends of biofuels.

RFIB consists of 10 voting members appointed by the Iowa governor.

IRFA represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth.

Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually, including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity, and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons per year.