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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Construction Begins on Pinnacle Ethanol, LLC

 JOHNSTON, Iowa - Apr 17, 2006 - The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated Pinnacle Ethanol, LLC for beginning construction on its ethanol refinery near Corning, Iowa. The facility will process 21 million bushels of corn into 60 million gallons of ethanol and 178,000 tons of distillers grains annually. The refinery is expected to employ approximately 40 people.

“Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production and we’re the leader in renewable fuels expansion,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “Pinnacle Ethanol will help keep Iowa at the pinnacle of the world’s ethanol industry. Iowa is not only at the cutting edge in terms of capacity, but also technology. Pinnacle Ethanol will be one of the most sophisticated ethanol refineries in the world.”

Pinnacle Ethanol will be built by the Broin Companies, who provides turnkey development, design, engineering, construction, management, and marketing services for the ethanol industry. Broin Companies have built 22 ethanol refineries and have 9 more under construction or development.

Iowa is the leader is renewable fuels production. Currently, Iowa has 22 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce nearly 1.3 billion gallons annually. There are 7 ethanol refineries and a major expansion under construction with a combined annual capacity of over 500 million gallons. In addition, Iowa has 6 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 100 million gallons either in operation or under construction. Many additional renewable fuels projects are under development.

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.