By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment to strengthen the biofuel sector in Kansas. Christy Davis, the USDA Director for Kansas Rural Development, revealed that five new biofuel projects will receive a total of $2,262,500 through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
This initiative underscores the USDA’s commitment to enhancing domestic energy resources and supporting rural economic growth in Kansas.
The funded projects are strategically distributed across four Kansas communities, promising to significantly expand the accessibility of biofuels like ethanol. This effort not only aims to provide more fuel options but also to open new markets for Kansas producers, ultimately leading to increased agricultural revenue.
In Wichita, TT Station LLC will benefit from a $78,750 grant to install three E15 dispensers, boosting ethanol sales by an estimated 76,767 gallons annually. Similarly, Prairie Eagle LLC is set to enhance its infrastructure with twelve E15 and twelve E85 dispensers across four stations, thanks to a $540,000 grant. This expansion is expected to increase ethanol sales by 524,272 gallons per year.
Furthering the state's biofuel capacity, Mo's LLC in Linn will introduce two E15 dispensers and an ethanol storage tank with a $159,000 grant, aiming to sell an additional 152,557 gallons of ethanol yearly. Moreover, CC of Hays Inc. will install a comprehensive array of sixteen E15 and E85 dispensers, seven B20 dispensers, along with ethanol and biodiesel storage tanks at two stations in Wilson and Hays, using a $953,750 grant. This is projected to enhance biofuel sales by over 2 million gallons per year.
Lastly, Cervs LLC will use a $531,000 grant to add six E15 and E85 dispensers and an ethanol storage tank at a Hays station, expected to increase ethanol sales by 589,973 gallons annually.
These investments represent a forward-looking approach by the USDA to not only bolster local economies but also to reinforce American energy security through sustainable and domestically produced biofuels.
As these projects unfold, Kansas is set to become a key player in the national biofuels landscape, contributing to a greener and more sustainable energy future.
Photo Credit:vista-mipan
Categories: Kansas, Energy, General