The fifth annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Summit has an amazing line-up of speakers who will focus on the future of ethanol and biodiesel, both in the state and the nation.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will kick off the one-day event on January 25 by talking about Growing Iowa’s BioEconomy. Key Iowa biodiesel leaders will then detail biodiesel’s 2011 resurgence and its impact on local communities and Iowa’s economy.

Next on the program, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen will take a look at the National Landscape for Ethanol Blends, leading into an address by Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Following lunch, a panel of speakers, including Gary Haer with the Renewable Energy Group and Kyle Althoff of DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol will discuss “Advanced Biofuels – A Turning Point for Renewable Energy.”

NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace keynotes the event and will talk about E15 powering the 2011 NASCAR racing season at its three major national touring series. The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to the new limited approval of 15% ethanol blends for 2007 and newer cars and light-duty trucks. EPA senior policy advisor Paul Argyropoulos will discuss what led to the decision to boost the ethanol content and what lies ahead, followed by a panel of retailers and fuel distributors who will outline the challenges and opportunities in bringing E15 to Iowa motorists.

Last, but certainly not least, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum rounds out the program addressing national energy policy. The event will be held on January 25 from 8:30-4:30 at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines. More information and registration is available on-line from the Iowa RFA. As long as the weather permits, Domestic Fuel will be there to cover the entire event.