URBANDALE, Iowa - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $74,990 grant to the ‘Two Million Mile Haul.’ The grant was announced Tuesday by Senator Charles Grassley.

The ‘Two Million Mile Haul’ is a unique field documentation study. This comprehensive study examines the benefits of a 20 percent soy biodiesel blend (B20) in an over-the-road trucking company.

In a statement today, Congressman Tom Latham said, “I am very pleased to see the USDA support such an important renewable energy study focusing on biodiesel fuel and I look forward to seeing the results when the study is completed. Iowa Central Community College has been a leader in providing training and education for the renewable energy sector of our economy and has one of the leading Biofuels AAS Degree programs in the country. Iowa Central’s leadership is why I am working with Senator Grassley and Senator Harkin to secure additional funding for a fuel testing lab in Fort Dodge that will serve the testing and fuel quality needs of Iowa biofuel producers, as well as others from across the United States.”

Sponsors of the study are the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Central Community College, Decker Truck Line Inc., Caterpillar Inc., the National Biodiesel Board and the USDA.

Currently, a group of 20 Decker semi trucks are moving freight and doing the fuel test simultaneously. Ten of those trucks are using traditional petroleum-based diesel. The other 10 are using B20.

Data on both sets of trucks is being compared and analyzed at Iowa Central. The test will conclude when the trucks have been driven a total of two million miles.

For more information on the first quarter results of the Two Million Mile Haul, visit www.iowacentral.com/mathscience/science/programs/biofuels/research_collaboration.htm.