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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Biodiesel Production Begins at Western Iowa Energy near Wall Lake

JOHNSTON, Iowa - Jun 09, 2006 - Iowa Now Has 6 Operating Biodiesel Refineries and 4 Under Construction

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated Western Iowa Energy for beginning production at its biodiesel refinery near Wall Lake, Iowa. The facility processes soybean oil and animal fats into 30 million gallons of biodiesel and 3 million gallons of glycerin annually. The facility is owned by 681 Iowan investors, including many farmers.

“Overnight, the Western Iowa Energy refinery becomes one of the largest biodiesel facilities in Iowa and the nation,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “This is a huge achievement for the farmer owners and is a clear signal of the rapid growth Iowa’s biodiesel industry will experience over the next couple of years.”

The refinery was built by the Renewable Energy Group (REG). REG was formed through a partnership with West Central Coop in Ralston, Iowa, engineering and construction firm Todd & Sargent in Ames, Iowa, and in alliance with process equipment builder Crown Iron Works, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“We have been anticipating this day since the start of construction. This achievement would not have been possible without the terrific support we have received from the Wall Lake community, our construction partners, the WIE staff, and our investors,” stated Chris Daniel, Western Iowa Energy General Manager. “The start-up of this facility is a tribute to the vision of the initiators of this project and a clear step towards a greater energy independence.”

Iowa is the leader is renewable fuels production. Currently, Iowa has 10 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 165 million gallons either in operation or under construction. In addition, Iowa has 25 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce over 1.5 billion gallons annually. There are 4 ethanol refineries and two expansions under construction with a combined annual capacity of 425 million gallons. 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.