The Trump administration is releasing $537 million for 543 biofuel infrastructure projects in 29 states.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the release of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program funding on Monday in conjunction with a visit to the Elite Octane ethanol plant in Atlantic, Iowa. The program provides grants worth 75% of the project cost up to $5 million.
The program was created in 2020 during the first Trump administration and then received $500 million through the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022 under the Biden administration to incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
During a news conference at the plant, Rollins downplayed the importance of biofuels to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“The bottom line is we've got to put America first, and in putting America first, that means putting our taxpayers first. And should our taxpayers be funding to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, all this idea of bringing down by 0.000% greenhouse gasses?”
He went on, “It’s important to realize that the importance of biofuels, the importance of ethanol, is a lot more than just bringing down greenhouse gasses. It’s about energy diversity.”
In a press release, Rollins said the Trump administration is “moving away from the harmful effects of misguided climate policies like the Green New Deal. Instead, USDA will deploy energy investments that prioritize the needs of our rural communities.
“Through HBIIP, we will expand access to domestic, homegrown fuels which will increase good paying jobs for hardworking Americans, restore rural prosperity and strengthen our nation’s energy security.”
Noah Wicks contributed to this report.
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