Record high production of ethanol and biodiesel in 2016 continued to power the rural Iowa economy engine despite another challenging year, according to the latest economic impact study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). “The environment facing Iowa’s biodiesel industry was more favorable than that experienced by ethanol producers,” said study author John Urbanchuk, ABF Economics. “Both the …
Iowa RFA Presents High School Video Awards
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) presented this year’s winners of the “Fuel the Future” High School Video Contest at the annual summit this week. First place went to Jacob Roush and Dylan Smith of Waukee who received the $1,000 Grand Prize for their video “Choose Ethanol: Fuel the Future.” Amy Wieland and Tyler Groathouse of Waukee High School won …
Iowa Renewable Fuels “Unrelenting”
The 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the industry this year. “The state of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry is uncertain but unrelenting,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We are ready to expand and bring cheaper, cleaner, home-grown fuels to US and world consumers.” Concerning federal policy, Shaw foresees unrelenting progress …
Former Congressman to Talk Biodiesel at Iowa RFA Summit
Fresh off his annual appearance at the National Biodiesel Conference last week in San Diego, former U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof will be heading to Altoona, Iowa next week to talk about “Biodiesel: America’s Advanced Biofuel” at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 31st. While biodiesel is the most readily available source of advanced biofuel, challenges remain. Hulshof will speak …
Iowa RFA Expresses Concerns with Trump Ag Choice
President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration. As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, which …
Iowa Governors to Address Iowa RFA Summit
Back by popular demand, current Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and future Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds are scheduled to address the 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona on January 31. Reynolds will be assuming the office of governor when Branstad is confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. ambassador to China, as nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump, so it is …
Iowa Breaks #Ethanol and #Biodiesel Records in 2016
Iowa’s biofuel industry had another record breaking year for production of both ethanol and biodiesel. In 2016, 43 ethanol plants produced 4.1 billion gallons, a slight increase from 2015 of 4 billion gallons. The most significant driver of demand was the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Setting another annual ethanol production record is a testament to the efficiency and hard work …
Get Your Submission in for IRFA Video Contest
It’s time to get those submissions in for the “Fuel the Future” video competition, sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The annual competition awards a $1,000 grand prize to the Iowa high school student, or students, who create the best video about the benefits of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The winning entries will be announced during …
Iowa RFA Announces New Communications Director
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has announced Cassidy Riley as Communications Director for the organization. Riley most recently worked as the Central Iowa Field Director for Senator Chuck Grassley’s 2016 reelection campaign. Prior to the campaign she clerked in the Iowa House of Representatives for Rep. Tom Moore. “I’m thrilled to join the IRFA team because I get to …
Iowa RFA Announces 2017 Officers
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) this week announced new board members and officers for 2017, elected at last week’s annual meeting. 2017 IRFA Board of Directors Officers President Eamonn Byrne, Lakeview Plymouth Energy Vice President Steve Bleyl, Green Plains Treasurer Bill Howell, POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids Secretary Derek Winkel, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Executive Dir. Monte Shaw (non-voting) …