WASHINGTON, DC, US — The US Department of Agriculture awarded $239 million in grants to expand infrastructure for domestic biofuels and to help pilot-scale technologies move toward commercial viability.

It will give $39 million in grants to US business owners to increase the availability of biofuels in 18 states through installation and upgrade of infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks.

“By increasing the supply of biofuels made here in the US, we are helping to lower costs for American families, strengthening our energy independence, creating new streams of income for agricultural producers and bringing good-paying jobs to people in rural communities,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said.

In addition, the USDA will create the Biobased Product Market Development and Access Grant program to support innovative biobased technologies. The $200 million in funding will be available to applicants who have been accepted into the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.