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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ethanol Production Begins at Lincolnway Energy near Nevada

JOHNSTON, Iowa - May 24, 2006 - The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated the farmer owners of Lincolnway Energy for beginning production at their ethanol refinery near Nevada, Iowa. The plant will process 20 million bushels of corn into 50 million gallons of ethanol and 150,000 tons of distillers grains annually.

“Lincolnway Energy is another step forward for energy independence and economic growth in Iowa,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “We applaud the farmer owners and look forward to their future plans for expanding Iowa’s renewable fuels industry. Without the passion and commitment of farmer owned ethanol refineries, Iowa would not be the leader we are today.”

Fagen, Inc., the Granite Falls, Minnesota design-build contractor, is overseeing the construction and incorporating a process design provided by ICM, Inc. of Colwich, Kansas.

Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Currently, Iowa has 24 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce 1.5 billion gallons annually. There are 5 ethanol refineries and two expansions under construction with a combined annual capacity of nearly 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.