Back in 1978, Clarence, Iowa was one of first towns to introduce a new fuel that contained 10 percent ethanol, now called E10. Nearly 40 years later, that same town is getting its first 15% ethanol pump at the Sundstop, which has become Iowa’s 102nd E15 site. The station also offers E85, E30, and biodiesel blends. “As a retailer in …
More Retail Stations Selling Higher #Ethanol Blends
Last week, Iowa celebrated the opening of the state’s 100th retail station selling 15 percent ethanol blended fuel. Crossroads Convenience Store in Spencer is one of six stations owned by Wessels Oil Company, which has been in business since 1938 and has been offering higher blends of biofuels at their stores since 2014. The Spencer store is the retailer’s first …
Iowa Tells Pruitt to Leave RFS Alone
With the Senate poised to confirm Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Iowa has a message for him – Don’t Mess with the RFS. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and other state organizations urged Pruitt to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by rejecting a petition to change the program’s point of obligation, which …
Biofuels Continue to Power Iowa Economy
Record high production of ethanol and biodiesel in 2016 continued to power the rural Iowa economy engine despite another challenging year, according to the latest economic impact study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). “The environment facing Iowa’s biodiesel industry was more favorable than that experienced by ethanol producers,” said study author John Urbanchuk, ABF Economics. “Both the …
Iowa RFA Presents High School Video Awards
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) presented this year’s winners of the “Fuel the Future” High School Video Contest at the annual summit this week. First place went to Jacob Roush and Dylan Smith of Waukee who received the $1,000 Grand Prize for their video “Choose Ethanol: Fuel the Future.” Amy Wieland and Tyler Groathouse of Waukee High School won …
Iowa Renewable Fuels “Unrelenting”
The 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the industry this year. “The state of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry is uncertain but unrelenting,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We are ready to expand and bring cheaper, cleaner, home-grown fuels to US and world consumers.” Concerning federal policy, Shaw foresees unrelenting progress …
Former Congressman to Talk Biodiesel at Iowa RFA Summit
Fresh off his annual appearance at the National Biodiesel Conference last week in San Diego, former U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof will be heading to Altoona, Iowa next week to talk about “Biodiesel: America’s Advanced Biofuel” at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 31st. While biodiesel is the most readily available source of advanced biofuel, challenges remain. Hulshof will speak …
Iowa RFA Expresses Concerns with Trump Ag Choice
President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration. As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, which …
Iowa Governors to Address Iowa RFA Summit
Back by popular demand, current Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and future Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds are scheduled to address the 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona on January 31. Reynolds will be assuming the office of governor when Branstad is confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. ambassador to China, as nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump, so it is …
Iowa Breaks #Ethanol and #Biodiesel Records in 2016
Iowa’s biofuel industry had another record breaking year for production of both ethanol and biodiesel. In 2016, 43 ethanol plants produced 4.1 billion gallons, a slight increase from 2015 of 4 billion gallons. The most significant driver of demand was the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Setting another annual ethanol production record is a testament to the efficiency and hard work …