(April 14, 2011) Washington – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for federal REAP funds to help gasoline retailers install blender pumps designed to give consumers flexibility and choice in the ethanol blends they use. Originally announced last spring, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on April 8, 2011, announced that USDA was moving forward with plans to install 10,000 blender pumps over the next five years. That announcement and today’s opening of the application process is welcome news to The Blend Your Own (BYO) Ethanol campaign, a joint educational effort by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

“More blender pumps mean more consumers will finally have the choice and flexibility they deserve to pick the ethanol blends that work for them based on their vehicle, their beliefs, and their budget,” said RFA Director of Market Development Robert White. “Through the BYO ethanol campaign, we have the ability to assist retailers in applying for these funds and help USDA and the Obama Administration achieve the renewable fuel goals they have put forward.”

“One way to break the stranglehold oil has over America’s economy and energy future is to give consumers the option to choose something other than petroleum,” said ACE VP & Director of Market Development Ron Lamberty. “Ethanol is the only viable renewable alternative to gasoline today. A critical challenge the industry faces is getting this fuel in front of more consumers. This announcement together with the efforts of the BYO ethanol campaign will go a long way to overcoming that challenge.”

The BYO Ethanol campaign is designed to inform gasoline marketers and retailers about the opportunities blender pumps offer. Blender pump technologies allow retailers and consumer to choose the blend of ethanol they want from no ethanol content to 85 percent ethanol by volume. Increasing the number of blender pumps in operation in conjunction with expanding the size of the America’s flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) fleet capable of using high level ethanol blends is critical to achieving our nation’s energy goals, including commercializing advanced ethanol technologies.

According to information released by USDA today, this program is part of USDA's REAP Program, a program designed to help spur rural development. It has an announced budget of $70 million for FY11. In this program there will be funding for grants, and loan guarantees, but certain restrictions will apply on the size of the local communities and the businesses applying for the funds. Applications will be due in June.

For more information, please visit www.BYOEthanol.com or contact the following:

Ron Lamberty
American Coalition for Ethanol
rlamberty@ethanol.org
(605) 334-3381

Robert White
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 
rwhite@ethanolrfa.org
(402) 391-1930