Iowa is an undisputed leader in renewable fuels production and that is extremely good for the state’s economy
At the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Des Moines on Tuesday, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) released a new study detailing the positive benefits that provides for Iowa.
According to the report, the renewable fuels industry, both ethanol and biodiesel, accounts for $13.1 billion – about 8% – of Iowa’s gross domestic product. The industry generates $2.4 billion of household incomes, supports nearly 49,000 jobs and accounts for $588 million in state revenue.
“This is a profound success story that should be heralded from Shenandoah to St. Ansgar and from Sioux Center to West Burlington,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw.
Listen to or download Shaw’s address at IRFA here: Monte Shaw at Iowa RFA Summit
Proof of the industry’s importance to the state was the appearance of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad at the summit. It was not the first time that Branstad attended the conference. “I’ve been here in the audience in the past,” said Branstad. “This is the fifth and I’ve been to two or three of them.”
Branstad is proud of Iowa’s standing as the number one state for the production of both ethanol and biodiesel. He says one of his goals is to revitalize Iowa’s economy. “We know the renewable fuels industry can help us create jobs all over the state of Iowa, good paying jobs that add value to what we produce in agriculture,” he said.
Branstad says he would like to see the state legislature change the incentive for fuel in the state from 10 percent ethanol to 15 percent and he plans to continue to play a role on the national level to support renewable fuels. “I was one of the governors that helped found the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition and I’m looking forward to working with the new governors that are joining from states all over the country this year,” he said, adding that he will be talking to presidential candidates about the importance of renewable fuels.
Listen to or download Branstad’s address at IRFA here: Governor Branstad at Iowa RFA Summit