Biodiesel has a rough go of it lately, with tough economic conditions and then the inaction by Congress to renew the $1 per gallon biodiesel blenders tax credit taking its toll on the green fuel. It might be down, but it’s certainly not out, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has launched a media campaign within its home state designed to highlight the importance of biodiesel for Iowa’s economy and Iowa’s future.

This IRFA press release says the ads remind Iowans that committing to biodiesel will preserve today’s good jobs, spurring new jobs and investments in the future – all while cutting the country’s dependence on foreign oil:

“As it has been a tough time economically and legislatively for biodiesel producers, now is the time to rally support for biodiesel here in Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Iowa’s biodiesel producers are on the cutting edge of technology that will revolutionize the biodiesel industry. We need to build consumer demand and to create a policy framework that gives biodiesel producers more certainty. By doing so, Iowans can make sure that the biorefinery jobs and innovations of the future will be right here in Iowa.”

In light of the loss of jobs because so many Iowa biodiesel plants have had to be idled with the loss of the tax incentive, the IRFA hopes the campaign will rally support for biodiesel at the state and federal level. With 15 biodiesel plants producing 322 million gallons of biodiesel a year and 39 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 3.3 billion gallons annually, Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.

You can hear the IRFA’s radio spot here.