The 4th Annual Biofuels: Science and Sustainability Tour took place recently hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The three-day tour brought several Washington, D.C. policymakers and regulators to Iowa for a inside and hands on look at the renewable fuels and agricultural industry in the state.  Participants had the opportunity to talk with many renewable fuels experts, agriculture leaders and state and university officials on important policy matters, regulatory concerns and technical issues facing the renewable fuels industry.

Several key areas of discussion were the current and future impacts of the drought, Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2), E15, tax policy, biodiesel and advanced biofuels, the 2012 Farm Bill, food and fuel, distillers grains, seed research, crop yield trends, improved environmental practices in agriculture and renewable fuels production, biomass crops, the future of cellulosic ethanol, and the impediments to consumer fuel choice posed by the federal petroleum mandate.

The Tour included visits to:

• Renewable Energy Group headquarters in Ames, IA
• Iowa State University’s Sorenson Farm & Biocentury Research Farm in Boone, IA
• Kevin Jurgens’ family farm in Thornton, IA
• Soy Energy biodiesel refinery in Mason City, IA
• Golden Grain Energy ethanol refinery in Mason City, IA
• Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, IA
• Pioneer DuPont Beaver Creek Research Center in Johnston, IA
• Pioneer DuPont Carver Center in Johnston, IA
• Magellan Refined Products Terminal in Des Moines, IA

The Tour was hosted and sponsored by Iowa State University Bioeconomy Institute, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Foundation, Renewable Fuels Foundation, Golden Grain Energy, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Renewable Product Marketing Group, Sukup Manufacturing, and Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Click here for more information, presentations and photos from the event.