DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced last week that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board has approved 90 additional applications from Iowa fuel retailers. The grant approvals support new and expanded ethanol infrastructure projects, aiming to provide drivers with greater access to more affordable, cleaner-burning, homegrown biofuels like E15 (Unleaded 88).
The cost-share grants, totaling $1,234,431.79 in state funds, were awarded by the RFIP Board during its quarterly meeting Wednesday, June 4. The approved projects span 48 Iowa counties.
“Biofuels offer value for drivers, create new markets for farmers, support rural jobs, decrease emissions, and contribute to greater American energy independence,” Mr. Naig said in a news release.
He added that expanding access to Unleaded 88 helps drivers save money at the pump, noting that these savings accumulate over time. In 2024, Iowa recorded a new high for E15 sales, and anticipates the trend will continue as more stations upgrade or install new fuel equipment.
The Iowa Department of Revenue reported in April that Iowa E15 sales reached an all-time record in 2024, surpassing the 2023 record by 44%. With 256.7 million gallons of E15 sold last year, and an average price discount of 15 cents per gallon compared to E10, Iowa drivers saved over $38.5 million by choosing E15.
The state said these investments are helping more Iowa fuel stations comply with the E15 Access Standard, a law enacted by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022. Iowa is the first state to implement such a standard, which mandates most fuel retailers to offer E15 by Jan. 1, 2026.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship offers cost-share funding through the RFIP to convenience stores and fuel stations needing assistance with compliance. Since its inception in 2006, the grant program has seen the department invest more than $62 million in expanding renewable fuels infrastructure. The state investment was matched by more than $270 million from Iowa convenience stores and fuel retailers.
Additional cost-share funding is available, and the department encourages grant applications from fuel stations looking to improve and upgrade their infrastructure. Applications can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/IRFIP and will be reviewed by the RFIP Board at an upcoming quarterly meeting.
Among the approved projects are these Iowa Quad Cities area retailers (listed by counties):
- Clinton: Casey’s General Store, Delmar, $6,319.20 (Retail E15 site).
- Clinton: P&E Filling Station, Clinton, $75,000.00 (Retail E15 site).
- Scott: Molo Petroleum Companies, Davenport, $75,000.00 (Retail E15 site).
For a complete list of the approved projects, visit here.
