The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw is calling out the U.S. House after the latest version of the Farm Bill attempts to modify the existing Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to specifically exclude blender pumps from eligibility: “It was very disappointing to see the blender pump exclusion maintained in the House Ag Committee Farm Bill. IRFA’s …
Iowa Fuel Retailers Hit Roadblock to E15 Sales
The independent Linn Co-op Oil Company in Marion, Iowa is all set to be the first in the nation to sell 15% ethanol blended gasoline to customers, except for one little detail. They can’t get the fuel to sell it. The problem is that petroleum refiners servicing the Cedar Rapids area refuse to make the proper gasoline for blending with …
Survey Finds Need for More Renewable Fueling Options
In a recent online survey of shareholders, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) sought input on the renewable fuels industry’s impact on individuals and communities. Nearly 500 renewable fuels supporters took part in the survey and provided some intriguing responses. “There is a growing appreciation for fueling freedom – not just E85, but E15 and E30 as well,” said IRFA …
Iowa Leads the Way in Renewable Fuel Growth
According to a new study by Cardo ENTRIX, the “renewable fuels industry has grown spectacularly over the past decade and Iowa has been a major participant and beneficiary.” This is no surprise as Iowa leads the way in biodiesel and ethanol production. To learn about some of the key highlights of the study, I spoke with Brad Albin, VP of …
Iowa Gov. Brandstad Declares Iowa Ethanol Day
June 15, 2012 was a big day for the renewable fuels industry in Iowa. It was the 34th anniversary of the first gallon of commercial E10 being sold, the 10th Anniversary of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and E15 is ready to go in Iowa following a federal EPA announcement that the final regulatory hurdles had been cleared. I …
IRFA to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
Although ethanol has been used in Iowa for many decades, an Iowa-focused organization dedicated to the use of renewable fuels didn’t begin until 2002 – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). To celebrate the 10 year milestone, IRFA is hosting an event coinciding with the 34th anniversary of the first retail sale of E10, which just so happened to take place in …
IRFA Asks President Obama to Take Action on Biodiesel
President Obama will visit TPI Composites, a wind manufacturer, in Newton, Iowa today as he urges Congress to act on the “To Do List,” specifically highlighting the need to invest in clean energy by passing legislation that will extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) to support American jobs and manufacturing in the wind industry alongside an expansion of the 48C …
State Tax Credit Helps Iowa Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel production in Iowa has remained strong during the first quarter of 2012 despite the expiration of the federal biodiesel tax credit. According to figures released by the Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR), 10 Iowa biodiesel plants produced 41.9 million gallons from January through March. In 2011, the Iowa Legislature enacted a short-term, modest biodiesel production tax credit to help …
IRFA Urges AFP to Get Correct Ethanol Facts
When Americans for Prosperity (AFP) held a rally in Iowa last week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) called on AFP to set the record straight and get the correct facts out when it comes to ethanol and oil policy. “AFP’s energy policy should come with a whiplash warning,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “They start by saying the …
IFRA: Back Biodiesel
The rule to increase the 2013 Biomass-Based Diesel volumes under the RFS to 1.28 billion gallons needs swift action by President Obama according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IFRA). The organization sent a letter to the president urging his administration to keep its track record of support for biodiesel and approve the requested increase for 2013. IRFA President Brad …