NBB Welcomes USDA Biodiesel Infrastructure Grants

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) thanked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for announcing new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants that will expand availability of cleaner, low-carbon biodiesel. Among today’s grants — the third round to be announced under the program — funding for 12 projects from California to Connecticut will support nearly 771 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Moreover, the combined projects will reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by more than 7.2 million metric tons each year at a cost of less than $2.25 per ton.

“The biodiesel industry provides Americans cleaner, better fuels for transportation and home heating. Biodiesel reduces carbon emissions on average by 74% and considerably cuts particulate matter and other criteria pollutant emissions, which can generate immediate health care savings,” said Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs. “Updating America’s infrastructure to expand consumer access to low-carbon biodiesel and Bioheat® fuel is a low-cost, high-return investment in meeting the nation’s goals for near-term carbon reductions.

“On behalf of NBB’s members, I want to thank USDA and Secretary Vilsack for assisting the biodiesel industry through this very effective program. The return on investment is already evident. We also thank Senators Amy Klobuchar and Joni Ernst and Representatives Cindy Axne, Rodney Davis, and Dusty Johnson for sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would enable USDA to continue to offer these cost-sharing grants.”

NBB congratulates the biodiesel companies and communities that received grants announced today:

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.

ABOUT CLEAN FUELS ALLIANCE AMERICA

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America’s clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations.