Soy Energy, a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in Mason City, Iowa announced it will be temporarily suspending production and that some employees will be impacted. Iowa has 13 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 320 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following comment:

“First, our thoughts are with the employees of Soy Energy and their families. This is a tough time for biodiesel producers and a decision like this is never easy. This temporary stoppage in production highlights the need for Congress to quickly pass the tax extenders package, including the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit, during its upcoming lame duck session. Biodiesel is still a young industry confronted with a marketplace dominated by billions in tax subsidies for petroleum fuels, federal loan guarantees for petroleum infrastructure projects, and a petroleum distribution monopoly. Congress must create a level playing field so consumers can choose the fuel of their choice.”