This week the Iowa Legislature gave their approval to funding the State’s Blender Pump program for fiscal year 2019. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Policy Director Grant Menke says the $3 million in funding goes to cost share grants to help retailers install infrastructure for higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.

He says the funding measure passed because legislators on both sides of the aisle understand the importance of biofuels to the state’s economy.

Menke says the return on investment into the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program has been quite significant and growing since the program began.

Those interested in getting assistance through the cost share program should go to the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s website and fill out an application. A Board appointed by the Governor studies the applications and then determines which get funded. Menke says this last year for the first time ever, all the funds were used up in the program.