The Iowa State Fair was a lot quieter this year politically. Last year the fair played host to a total of 20 presidential candidates of both parties last summer while this year it was only the vice presidential candidates of the two major party nominees who visited the butter cow and ate pork with Hawkeye State political figures. Does that …
Iowa Governor Honored for #Biofuels Leadership
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, the nation’s longest serving Governor, was honored Friday by renewable fuels industry leaders, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition and the National Governors Association at a breakfast commemorating his steadfast leadership in renewable fuels. “Gov. Branstad is a true champion for renewable fuels, and we’re delighted to see him honored for his long-standing leadership,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels …
Iowa RFA Out in Force at @EPA #RFS Hearing
Representatives of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) nearly had a whole panel to themselves at the EPA hearing in Kansas City yesterday on proposed volume obligations for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Testifying at the hearing were IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw, Managing Director Lucy Norton, Policy Director Grant Menke, and Communications Director T.J. Page. Many other members of …
IRFA Releases Legislation Renewable Fuels Survey
Iowa’s 2016 U.S. House and Senate candidates show strong support across party lines for renewable fuels according to a new survey from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The survey focused on Iowa candidates running for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to read specific candidate comments on their renewable fuel positions. “Despite the obvious benefits to …
Iowa Legislature Votes for Blender Pumps
Iowa will see another year of funding for retailers to add blender pumps. The Iowa Legislature voted unanimously to allocate funding for the biodiesel and ethanol blender pump program known as the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently reported that interest in blender pumps is at an all time high and the last round …
B11 Iowa Average Biodiesel Blend
More Iowa consumers are choosing biodiesel at the pump according to a new report from the Iowa Department of Revenue. The report finds that the average biodiesel blend purchased in the state reached 11 percent, an increase from 9.4 percent average blend in 2014. The data showed that Iowans also purchased a record amount of E85 and mid-level ethanol blends …
IRFA Testifies at Senate Ag Subcommittee Hearing
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw recently testified before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy. The hearing focused on USDA Rural Development Programs and their economic impact across the country. Shaw said during his testimony that properly supporting renewable fuels programs are vital to the well-being of rural America. “I think it can be …
Iowa Retailer Interest in Biofuels Grows
A recent meeting of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board concluded by approving 68 infrastructure projects for a total of $3.2 million in state grants. The funds are to assist retailers in adding the infrastructure needed to offer higher blends of ethanol including E15 and biodiesel. “Thanks to sound, forward-thinking state policy, many Iowans will soon have greater access to …
Iowa Biofuel Impact Takes Small Step Back
A new study conducted by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) found that while the renewable fuels industry continues to be a strong driver of Iowa’s economy, its impacts have taken a small step back from last year. The report cited reductions to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the cause. “Iowa …
Ethanol Plays Key Role in Iowa Campaigning
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) won the Republican ticket in Iowa last night with Donald Trump coming in second despite Cruz’s ambiguity on ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). However, compared to the campaigning four years ago, ethanol has gained a significant amount of positive ground according to a press conference held by Growth Energy. The Iowa Caucus kicks off …