Ethanol production in Iowa held steady during 2012 according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). During the year, 41 ethanol plants produced 3.7 billion gallons during 2012, matching 2011 production. This is around 28 percent of total ethanol production in the U.S. for the year. This is the first time since 2002 where production did not increase year to year.

“2012 will be remembered for the great drought,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Due to Iowa’s incredible farmers, the state weathered the drought better than most. Iowa was fortunate not to have an ethanol plant shut down in 2012. Most plants pulled back on production due to the drought, but we had another plant operating for a full year that offset those reductions. In the end we held steady, but everyone is praying for rain and a trend-line corn yield in 2013 to really jumpstart the industry.”

In addition to the current operating ethanol plants, Iowa is also the home of two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction.