POET Biorefining is establishing a Monarch Fueling Station at its plant near Coon Rapids, Iowa. The Monarch Fueling Station Project was established by Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) in partnership with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium in December 2017. The monarch habitat will span half an acre and seeding is expected to take place within the next month. The plant …
Lincolnway Energy Seeds Monarch Fueling Station
While Iowa farmers have been busy with spring planting, Lincolnway Energy has been seeding a two-acre Monarch Fueling Station. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service laid down a seed mixture of plants that attract pollinators. The mixture has a special emphasis on milkweed plants, the only plant monarchs can lay their eggs on. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Habitat Establishment Coordinator Kevin …
Iowa Legislature Funds State Blender Pump Program
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) will continue for another year, thanks to a vote by the Iowa Legislature to secure funding that provides cost-share dollars to fuel retailers for blender pumps and other equipment necessary to offer higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. “The program has proven itself a legislative success story, helping to increase availability of renewable …
Groups Write President Ahead of White House Meeting
Numerous agricultural and biofuels interests are urging President Trump to help farmers by implementing year-round sales of higher ethanol blends when he meets once again this week with Congressional leaders from farm and oil states at the White House. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, American Soybean Association and National Association of Wheat …
Ethanol Industry Pleased with POTUS Support of E15
President Trump’s comments Thursday confirming that the administration is working on allowing year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends (E15) sparked a flurry of press releases from ethanol supporters. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen called it “welcome news to consumers across the country, farmers who have worked to build value-added markets here at home in the face of …
Iowa Blender Pump Program Demand Exceeds Funding
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) is already out of funding for 2018, but many more retailers are interested in offering higher blends in the state. During the third of its four scheduled meetings, the RFIP board awarded funds to 15 projects for retailers around the state to install the necessary equipment to offer higher blends of ethanol and …
Iowa Biofuels Groups Spotlight Oil Industry Study
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw and Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grant Kimberley held a joint press conference Friday to discuss an oil industry study make public by Reuters that shows putting a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) would not be the “win-win” that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has repeatedly said he wants …
E15 Now Available at 158 Iowa Stations
Iowa has added a dozen new E15 stations since the end of 2017, bringing the total statewide to 158 fueling stations. Iowa-based Casey’s General Store added the most new stations, including locations in Sioux Center, Akron, Cedar Rapids, and Lone Tree. Kum & Go, Kwik Star, and Key Cooperative each added two new stations at various locations across the state. …
Nearly 50,000 Iowa Jobs Tied to Biofuels
A new study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), finds that nearly 50,000 Iowa jobs are supported by biofuels production. IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw says the study indicates how many livelihoods are at stake in the continuing efforts by Texas Senator Ted Cruz to convince the White House to …
Second Iowa Plant Commits to Monarch Habitat
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) is preparing to establish a Monarch Fueling Station on its property near Council Bluffs, the second Iowa biofuels facility to commit to creating monarch butterfly habitat. “We saw creating a Monarch Fueling Station as a great opportunity to protect an important aspect of our state’s environment,” said SIRE CEO Brian Cahill. “The SIRE board views …