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Missouri Receives Grant for Ethanol Expansion

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  Gov. Jay Nixon announced Wednesday the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership granted Missouri $2.9 million to install new ethanol fuel pumps.

Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce said this grant could benefit consumers.

“From a consumer standpoint, it’ll give them more points of sale,” Fordyce said. “There will be more opportunities to buy renewable fuels, so that would be the advantage to the consumers and to the motoring public.”

Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Chairman Gary Porter said with the expansion, demand will also increase. He said the new demand will benefit Missouri corn growers.

“Missouri is proud to be one of the 21 states participating in the USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership, so we are really excited,” Porter said. “It’s going to be a real good thing for the state of Missouri.”

The funds will enable grant participants to sell up to 4.9 million additional gallons per year.

Currently most gas pumps carry fuel with 10 percent ethanol. The creation of new pumps will enable drivers to purchase more ethanol blends, including 85 percent ethanol.

Fordyce said grant applications will be available in early November on the Missouri Department of Agriculture website and the grants will be awarded in late November or early December. Construction of the new fuel pumps will begin soon after.