Mexican fuel marketers who took part in an ethanol industry tour last week in Iowa are excited about incorporating what they learned to offer ethanol blends in their businesses back home. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) organized the tour in conjunction with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) to show nine decision-makers from key …
Mexican Retailers Touring Iowa Ethanol Supply Chain
Representatives from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association are leading Mexican retailers on a tour across Iowa this week to see how U.S. ethanol is made, distributed, and sold. The groups are working with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in an effort to show Mexican retailers the opportunities for sourcing, marketing, and retailing ethanol-blended gasoline …
Western Dubuque Biodiesel Adding Monarch Fueling Station
Western Dubuque Biodiesel is establishing a Monarch Fueling Station at its plant near Farley. The plant will start the process by spraying to eradicate non-native grasses this summer and again this fall. A dormant seeding of native plants and milkweed will occur this November. “Part of our mission at Western Dubuque Biodiesel is to create fuel that is environmentally friendly,” …
SW Iowa Renewable Energy Sows Seeds for Monarchs
Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) is one step closer to providing monarch butterflies with a new place to fill up on their cross-country journey. The ethanol plant seeded their Monarch Fueling Station this week with the help of local farmer Rick Frost. Habitat Establishment Coordinator Kevin Reynolds helped SIRE established the Monarch Fueling Station last year. “The first year there …
Study Shows Biofuels are 3 Percent of Iowa GDP
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has released a new study that shows biofuels are responsible for over $5 billion of Iowa’s GDP, or roughly three percent. The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by IRFA, also found that biofuels account for over 48,000 Iowa jobs and more than $2.5 billion in Iowa household income. “The …
EPA Nomination Advances to Full Senate
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) voted 11-10 along party lines Tuesday to advance the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Mr. Wheeler has served as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency since April of 2018, when the Senate confirmed his nomination with bipartisan support,” said Committee Chair Senator John …
Iowa Biofuels Industry “Hurting but Hopeful”
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw told the 2019 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit last week that 2018 was his toughest year yet working for the biofuels industry. “With forces inside of EPA and the West Wing trying to convince President Trump to gut the RFS, there were months when I went to sleep wondering if a tweet the …
Iowa Budget Includes $3M for Biofuels Infrastructure
Governor Kim Reynolds released her 2019 Iowa budget proposal this week, including $3 million for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), which provides cost-share grants to help Iowa retailers incorporate blender pumps, storage tanks, and other necessary equipment to offer higher blends of biofuels. “IRFA members want to thank Gov. Reynolds for prioritizing funding for blender pumps through Iowa’s …
Governor Reynolds to Keynote Iowa RFA
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will once again address the annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit to discuss the many ways biofuels boost the state’s economy, protect the environment, and drive Iowa into the future. “Iowans play a tremendous role in America’s renewable fuel industry,” Governor Reynolds said. “Since the very beginning, we saw its unlimited potential and now our state leads …
Iowa Breaks Ethanol Production Record
Iowa ethanol plants had another record-breaking year in 2018, producing 4.35 billion gallons, up from 4.2 billion gallons in 2017. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said the increased production is due largely to record exports and despite this success, producers suffered from lower margins. “This record production is a testament to the resilience of Iowa’s ethanol producers,” …