FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lucy Norton, Managing Director, 515-225-9242
Monte Shaw, Executive Director, 515-225-9242

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        Press Contact:  Monte Shaw
February 28, 2007                                                                                                       515-252-6249

Renewable Fuels Summit Highlights Many Opportunities for Iowa

Call for Renewable Fuels Technology Commercialization Fund to Keep Iowa Ahead of the Pack

JOHNSTON, IA – Over 400 hundred registered attendees from 11 states learned about the short and long-term future of Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel industries at today’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).  With new technology the key to future success, the IRFA urged that Iowa create a commercialization program for innovative renewable fuels technologies as part of Gov. Chet Culver’s proposed Iowa Power Fund.

            “The potential for new feedstock and biofuels process research and development in Iowa is truly exciting, but we must not forget to connect the last dot,” stated Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director.  “To keep Iowa the renewable fuels leader, Iowa must continue to be the renewable fuels innovation leader.  Regardless of where a new technology is developed, Iowa ought to be the place where the advanced technology is first implemented on a commercial scale.”

            IRFA proposed creating a multi-million dollar “Iowa Advanced Renewable Fuels Technology Commercialization Program.”  The program would provide competitive bid, cost-share grants to renewable fuels producers that are installing commercial scale advanced and innovative technology at new or existing renewable fuels refineries.  Several of the potential technologies ready for commercialization were highlighted by panelists during the summit.

            “The real private investment and job creation comes when you take new technologies from the R&D stage and implement them commercially,” stated Shaw.  “Even if new advances are pioneered in New York or California, Iowa should still be the most attractive location to put them into real-world practice.  By assisting renewable fuels refineries in implementing these advanced technologies, Iowa can remain number one in ethanol and biodiesel production, investment, profitability, job creation and environmental performance.”

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production.  Iowa has 26 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 1.7 billion gallons annually.  There are 21 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add 1.6 billion gallons of annual capacity. In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 315 million gallons either in operation or under construction.  Many additional renewable fuels projects are under development.