CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says 21 states will receive funding to increase the number of gas pumps that offer renewable fuels.

Vilsack made the $100 million Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership announcement on Thursday morning in Champaign. The USDA says the money will pay for about 5,000 pumps at more than 1,400 fueling stations. Officials say that will double the number of stations that offer intermediate blends of ethanol, mainly E15 fuel levels.

The USDA announced the program in May and officials say they received more applications than available funds. States must match the grant money that they receive.

Florida leads the list, receiving funding for about 890 pumps. Minnesota will receive funding for 620 pumps and Illinois for nearly 430 pumps.

 

 

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