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USDA Rural Development Invests in 50 Clean Energy and Biofuel Projects in Iowa

Biofuel Projects in Iowa
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USDA Rural Development Invests in 50 Clean Energy and Biofuel Projects in Iowa

mpacts in Chickasaw; Clayton; Clinton; Delaware; Des Moines; Dubuque; Fayette; Floyd; Greene; Hamilton; Hardin; Howard; Humboldt; Jefferson; Johnson; Jones; Linn; Marshall; Muscatine; Palo Alto; Scott; Sioux; Washington; Winnebago; Winneshiek and Woodbury counties 

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 14, 2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that the Agency is funding 44 clean energy projects in Iowa with a total of $1,085,438 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Agency is also providing $2,733,706 in funding for six Iowa projects to expand access to domestic biofuels through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). One additional HBIIP project for $1,825,500 involves both Iowa and Nebraska locations. 

Director Greenfield, said :

Rural America is the backbone of our economy and key to enabling our energy independence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,

“At USDA, we will continue working to expand clean energy, lower costs for Iowans, and build an economy that benefits working families and small businesses.”

These grants are part of a larger national announcement made on January 10, 2025, available online here.

The Iowa investments are listed online here. Three examples of the grants include:

-Wheatland Manor Inc. received $291,320 through the REAP program to install a 67.6 kilowatt solar array at its assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facility in Wheatland in Clinton County. This project will generate 318,982 kilowatt hours per year, amounting to $46,527 per year. This is enough electricity to power 29 homes.

-A.C. Development LLC received $16,721 through the REAP program to install a 15.52 kilowatt solar array at its nonresidential property management business in Calmar in Winneshiek County. This project will realize $2,505 per year in savings and will generate and replace 16,837 kilowatt hours per year (117 percent of previous use), which is enough electricity to power one home.

-Cooperative Gas & Oil Co. received $187,500 through the HBIIP program to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. Cooperative Gas & Oil Co. is the owner of 10 or fewer fueling stations. This project will install five E15 dispensers and five E85 dispensers at one fueling station in Sioux Center in Sioux County, Iowa. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 1,399,083 gallons per year. 

Background  

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $3 billion for 11,221 projects through REAP and more than $323 million in 399 awards through HBIIP.

The REAP program is designed to help farmers and small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy.  

The HBIIP program provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners—including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities—to expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.

Contact USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. 

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal, and high-poverty areas.

READ the latest news shaping the biofuels market at Biofuels Central

USDA Rural Development Invests in 50 Clean Energy and Biofuel Projects in Iowa, source

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