releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d0aa1706-445a-4859-9b1b-c5d8ec8c385c
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d0aa1706-445a-4859-9b1b-c5d8ec8c385c | Heitkamp Announces $1.2 Million in Federal Funds to Boost the Number of North Dakota Pumps Carrying Biofuels | 2015-10-28 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced $1.2 million in federal funds to expand the number of gas pumps with higher blends of ethanol in North Dakota, making renewable fuels more readily available to American consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a total of $100 million in grants through the program nationwide. Those funds will be matched by states and private companies investments to fund nearly 5,000 pumps at 1,400 fueling stations across 21 states. USDA announced the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) in May, with the goal of doubling the number of higher blend renewable fuel pumps throughout the country. North Dakota leads the pack in pursuing all-of-the-above energy policies, and Ill keep fighting to make sure biofuels are a part of that energy mix, said Heitkamp. These funds will strengthen our states already-thriving biofuels industry, putting more pumps at more stations so you and I can fill up our tanks with North Dakota biofuels more easily than ever. Biofuels not only support our states farmers, rural communities, and the biodiesel industry they also provide clean, reliable fuel and give us more choice at the pump. Now we need the EPA to step up and put out stronger policies that boost biofuels and accurately reflect the industrys growth. Ill keep pushing federal agencies to support biofuels, and will keep leading my colleagues to back policies benefiting biofuels and the all-of-the-above energy strategy our nation needs. Heitkamp has long been a leader in supporting North Dakotas biofuels industry, and shes gotten results.In May, Heitkamp led a group of Senate Democrats in calling on the EPA to end its delays on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), to put biodiesel workers back to work and provide long-overdue certainty to industry producers. Just weeks later, the EPAheeded her call, setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2014 through 2016 for ethanol and through 2017 for biodiesel. In February, Heitkampled a bipartisan group of 32 Senatorsin calling on the EPA to set biodiesel production levels through 2017 to provide certainty to the biodiesel industry and the thousands of workers it employs. Nationwide,62,000 American jobs depend on the biodiesel industry an industry that reduces greenhouse emissions by more than 50 percent compared to petroleum diesel. But according to the National Biodiesel Board, 54 biodiesel plants in 30 states have closed or idled since November 2012 because of the lack of certainty from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2014,nearly 80 percent of U.S. biodiesel producers scaled back production, and almost 6 in 10 idled production altogether. Heitkamp has a long history of fighting for EPA to provide certainty to farmers and biodiesel workers. Since joining the U.S. Senate, she has: Called for the EPA to prioritize American-produced biodiesel.In January, Heitkampcalled out the EPA for prioritizing the import of biodiesel from abroadover biodiesel from American and North Dakotan producers, hurting farmers, industry jobs, and rural communities. She reinforced that recent layoffs and plant closures in the biodiesel industry underscore the need for the EPA to provide certainty for biodiesel workers at home by setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Gathered Senate Democrats to call for the EPA to set a strong RFS.In March 2014, Heitkamp brought together five other Senators and a farmer from Mantador to call on the EPA to support policies that stand up for biodiesel jobs and production. A year later, the EPA still hasnt issued its rule and they are continuing to press on the agency. Brought the EPA head to North Dakota to hear from farmers and renewable fuels producers.In February 2014, Heitkampbrought EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakotato hear firsthand from farmers and renewable fuels producersabout how the agencys proposal would reduce the effectiveness or the RFS and decrease the required amount of U.S.-produced biofuels. Heitkamp encouraged McCarthy to reverse the EPAs proposaland instead put forth a proposal that would promote investment in the next generation of biofuels, and support our economy and good jobs in rural North Dakota. Last November, theagency heeded her call, delaying the implementation of the misguided new standards. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |