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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ethanol Use Held Steady at 77% in February

JOHNSTON, Iowa - Mar 30, 2006 - The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced that Iowa motorists chose ethanol blends 77% of the time in February according to newly released Iowa Department of Revenue figures. Ethanol purchases held steady at a near-record pace compared with January figures. Sales of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) hit all-time record highs in January and February.

“I was especially pleased to see the record E85 sales in January and February,” stated Monte Shaw, IRFA’s Executive Director. “The data for the last year has been clear. If you put renewable fuels within reach of Iowa consumers, they will choose ethanol and biodiesel. I hope more retailers look at these sales figures and realize the perception that ‘there isn’t enough demand’ is yet another E85 myth.”

January 2006 Iowa Gasoline Sales

E0 gasoline 32,230,275 gallons (23%)
E10 93,860,835 gallons (77%)
E85 82,569 gallons
Total 122,165,874 gallons

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s ethanol and biodiesel producers. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.