USDA is accepting applications for Rural Energy for America program funds to help with the installation of blender pumps – which allow gasoline retailers and consumers to choose the blend of ethanol they want from no ethanol content to 85-percent ethanol by volume. For those interested in applying – the Blend Your Own Ethanol Campaign – a joint educational effort by the American Coalition for Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association – will offer free grant writing services. RFA Director of Marketing Development Robert White says REAP has provided funding for hundreds of blender pumps the past two years – providing many consumers with the choice and flexibility they deserve to pick the ethanol blends that work for them. He says the BYO Ethanol Campaign can assist retailers in applying for these funds – ultimately helping the Obama Administration achieve the renewable fuels goals they have put forward.
With E15 – White says retailers have more options than ever. He says blender pumps will help spread this new blend across the country. Ron Lamberty – ACE Senior Vice President – says we can continue to break the stranglehold oil has over the nation’s economy and energy future by giving consumers more options at the pump. He says USDA’s announcement – along with the efforts of the BYO Ethanol Campaign – will go a long way toward making that happen. RFA and ACE note that increasing the number of blender pumps in operation in conjunction with expanding the size of the America’s flex-fuel vehicle fleet capable of using high level ethanol blends is critical to achieving our nation’s energy goals – including commercializing advanced ethanol technologies.
Applications for the grant program are due on April 30th. For more information on the REAP Program, free grant writing services or blender pumps – please visit www dot BYOEthanol.com (www.BYOEthanol.com).