Iowa Senator and renewable fuel advocate Tom Harkin has announced over the weekend that he will retire after his current term. Leading up to the 2014 elections, Harkin will have served five terms. He said in a statement he will spend more time with his family. In response to the news, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today thanked Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) for his unwavering support of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry.

“Sen. Harkin has been a staunch supporter of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa, and the work he’s accomplished in renewable fuels policy serves as a benchmark. Sen. Harkin’s role in implementing the first energy title in the Farm Bill, strong support of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), and personal calls to the White House to increase the 2013 renewable volume obligation (RVO) for biodiesel have been instrumental in ensuring Iowa’ renewable fuels industry can compete against the highly subsidized and mandated petroleum industry,” said IRFA President Rick Schwarck.

Among other accomplishments, Harkin in the chair of the Senate Agriculture and Nutrition Committee and was instrumental in the passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).